Sheldon Keller

Sheldon Bernard "Shelly" Keller (20 August 1923 – 1 September 2008) was an Emmy Award-winning American screenwriter and composer.

Life and career

Keller was born in Chicago, Illinois and attended University of Illinois, where he began writing comedy with his fraternity brother Allan Sherman. He served in the Pacific Theater with the United States Army Signal Corps during World War II.

On "Caesar's Hour", Keller worked with notable writers Mel Brooks, Selma Diamond, Larry Gelbart, Mel Tolkin, Michael Stewart and Gary Belkin. In 1956, 1957, and 1958 the show was nominated for Emmy Award for Best Comedy Writing - Variety or Situation Comedy.

Keller wrote several episodes for "M*A*S*H", including "For Want of a Boot" and "The Chosen People" Notable screenplays include "Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell" (written with Melvin Frank and Denis Norden) and "Cleopatra Jones" (with Max Julien). Keller co-wrote the 1979 film "Movie Movie" with Gelbart, winning the WGA Award for Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen. He wrote specials for Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye and Carol Channing, winning a 1966 Emmy Award with Hal Goldman and Al Gordon for writing "An Evening With Carol Channing."

In later life, he collaborated on a newsletter of jokes for radio DJs and public speakers. Keller died at his home in Valencia, California from complications of Alzheimer's disease.Fox, Margalit (September 4, 2008 ). [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/04/arts/television/04keller.html Sheldon Keller, TV Comedy Writer, Dies at 85.] "New York Times"]

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