William Dozier

William McElroy Dozier (/ˈdoʊʒər/; February 13, 1908 – April 23, 1991) was an American film and television producer and actor. He is best known for two television series, Batman and The Green Hornet.

William Dozier
Born(1908-02-13)February 13, 1908
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
DiedApril 23, 1991(1991-04-23) (aged 83)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
OccupationProducer, actor
Years active1944–1982
Spouse(s)
Katharine Foley
​
(
m. 1929; div. 1946)

​
(
m. 1946; div. 1951)

​
(
m. 1953)
Children2

Early life

Dozier was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated from Creighton University in 1929, where he studied law.[1]

Career

Dozier began his career as a television writer and then moved into production. With his second wife Joan Fontaine, he co-founded Rampart Productions, responsible for Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948).[2] He produced the film noir starring Joan Crawford, Harriet Craig in 1950.[3] In the early 1950s he was executive producer for dramatic programs on CBS television including You Are There, Ben Hecht's Tales of the City and Suspense.[4]

After founding a new company in 1964, Greenway Productions, he took on the development of the Batman television series (1966–1968),[5] as executive producer and narrator, although he was uncredited for the role as narrator. He also performed those functions on The Green Hornet television show, which starred Van Williams and Bruce Lee, although here the narration was limited to the opening, the next-episode trailers, and the story-so-far recaps in its three two-part episodes. The Green Hornet gave Bruce Lee his first acting role in an American TV or film production, although he had appeared in Hong Kong-based films from his babyhood. This show introduced Bruce Lee as a martial arts fighter—indeed, it brought Asian martial arts to a broad American audience for the first time.[6] Dozier also made a screen test of an aborted version of Wonder Woman in 1967. During his time as executive producer of Batman he co-created the character Barbara Gordon, who would become a prominent character in the Batman comic books as well as the television series.[7]

In 1979, Dozier appeared in The Paper Chase as Lindsey in "Scavenger Hunt", Episode 22 of Season 1.[8]

Personal life

Dozier was married to Katherine Foley from 1929 until their marriage ended in divorce in 1946. They had one son, Robert. Then, Dozier married actress Joan Fontaine from 1946 until they divorced in 1951. They had one daughter, Deborah. Lastly, Dozier married Ann Rutherford in 1953. Their marriage would last until Dozier died in 1991.[9]

Death

Dozier died in Santa Monica, California, from a stroke, aged 83. Dozier was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California. His papers can be found at the American Heritage Center.

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References
  1. Farrell, William M. (July 12, 1953). "An Expert Discusses Video Drama". The New York Times. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  2. Joan Fontaine, Turner Classic Movies page
  3. Harriet Craig (1950) IMDB, Turner Classic Movies, broadcast 31 August 2018
  4. Farrell, William M. (July 12, 1953). "An Expert Discusses Video Drama". The New York Times. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
  5. Bat-Mania Site: William Dozier Interview
  6. "American Heritage Center Blog: Bruce Lee Steals the Show in ""The Green Hornet""". American Heritage Center. The American Heritage Center holds the papers of William Dozier, who produced and narrated the TV series The Green Hornet, as well as the Batman TV series. March 16, 2020.
  7. Cassell, Dewey (February 2010). "Growing Up Gordon: The Early Years of Batgirl". Back Issue!. TwoMorrows Publishing (38): 65–70.
  8. The Paper Chase, Season 1, Episode 22, "Scavenger Hunt" (YouTube)
  9. William Dozier (I) - Biography


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