Career
Landsburg graduated from New York University with a degree in Communications. He was immediately drafted due to the Korean War and was assigned to the Army Radio Network as a writer-director. This marked the beginning of his fifty-year career of writing and directing television programs.
From the early-1960s to the mid-70's, Landsburg established himself as a successful documentary producer. His film, Kennedy, The First Thousand Days received a standing ovation at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. Along with David Wolper, he pioneered the television documentary series format. His credits include:
- Biography - wrote, directed, and/or produced 65 episodes hosted by Mike Wallace.
- National Geographic Specials
- The World of Jacques Cousteau -- Landsburg executive produced the first season of this landmark aquatic exploration documentary program that was later renamed The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau
- Alaska Wilderness Lake -- A 1971 documentary that was nominated for an Academy Award.
- In Search of... -- Launched in 1976, the series explored the paranormal and was hosted by Leonard Nimoy.
In 1980, Landsburg created one of the first "sensational" reality shows, That's Incredible!
Landsburg is also a prolific executive producer of made-for-television movies, many of which were based on true stories and tackled important social issues. Of note are:
- Bill -- Mickey Rooney won an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of Bill Sackter, who was institutionalized from the age of seven and struggles to re-integrate into society when he is released almost 45 years later.
- Adam -- Recounted the story of Adam Walsh, who was abducted from a Florida shopping center. The film brought attention to how kidnapped children were poorly tracked by federal government agencies. It prompted the formation of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and led to the passage of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act in July 2006. Because of his outspoken advocacy on behalf of missing and exploited children, Adam's father, John Walsh, has become a public figure, and is now perhaps best known as host of the FOX television show America's Most Wanted.
- The Ryan White Story -- Highlighted the discrimination faced by a young hemophiliac who contracted AIDS from a blood transfusion and promoted tolerance for children afflicted by AIDS.
- A Mother's Right: The Elizabeth Morgan Story-- focused on the lengths a mother would go to in order to protect her daughter, whom she believed was sexually abused by her ex-husband.
His late wife, Linda Otto, produced and/or directed many of these socially relevant docudramas.
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Famous quotes containing the word career:
“I began my editorial career with the presidency of Mr. Adams, and my principal object was to render his administration all the assistance in my power. I flattered myself with the hope of accompanying him through [his] voyage, and of partaking in a trifling degree, of the glory of the enterprise; but he suddenly tacked about, and I could follow him no longer. I therefore waited for the first opportunity to haul down my sails.”
—William Cobbett (1762–1835)
“I doubt that I would have taken so many leaps in my own writing or been as clear about my feminist and political commitments if I had not been anointed as early as I was. Some major form of recognition seems to have to mark a woman’s career for her to be able to go out on a limb without having her credentials questioned.”
—Ruth Behar (b. 1956)
“Work-family conflicts—the trade-offs of your money or your life, your job or your child—would not be forced upon women with such sanguine disregard if men experienced the same career stalls caused by the-buck-stops-here responsibility for children.”
—Letty Cottin Pogrebin (20th century)