Producer and film executive Mort Abrahams has died at age 93. Abrahams' impressive resume includes producing the hit TV series
Route 66 as well as numerous episodes of
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. His big screen credits include
Planet of the Apes, Battle for the Planet of the Apes, The Chairman, Doctor Doolittle and The American Film Theatre feature films.Â
Cinema Retro reader Rory Monteith has provided the following exclusive statement which he obtained from Mr. Abrahams' daughter-in-law:
"Mort Abrahams, the retired TV and movie producer, who produced the
original
"Planet of the Apes," (and, I think, two of the others) passed
away in his
Studio City home on May 28, 2009. I know this because I am
his
daughter-in-law, and his widow just telephoned me. He died early
this
morning, with his daughter and his wife at his bedside. He had
been ill for
some time, and his death was not unexpected.
As well--and more
importantly, from my point of view--as being an
accomplished producer and
later a mentor to younger talent when he was
at the American Film Institute,
Mort was a warm, gentle, loving man. He
was patient and giving with his
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He would play countless card games
with them, sometimes putting on
funny accents. He had an endless supply of
amazing anecdotes about life
in the business. His wife, his daughter, and
his son (my late husband)
had all heard these stories, but my daughter and I
were always
enthralled. Above all, he had a sweetness to him, a
vulnerability, that
was to me his defining trait. I shall miss him so
much!
Mr. Abrahams' body is to be cremated, and there will be no public
memorial service, as per his wishes. He is survived by his wife and
daughter, son- and daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and two
great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son just over a
year ago."
