David Dortort

David Dortort
Born	David Katz October 23, 1916(1916-10-23) New York City
Died	September 5, 2010(2010-09-05) (aged 93) Los Angeles, California
Alma mater	City College of New York, 1936
Occupation	Writer; Television producer
Years active	1957-2001
Spouse	Rose Seldin (married 1940-2007, her death)
Children	Wendy D. Czarnecki Fred Dortort

David Dortort (October 23, 1916 – September 5, 2010),^[1] was a Hollywood producer and writer, widely known for his role as producer in two NBC television series Bonanza (1959–1967) and The High Chaparral (1967–1971). Dortort's focus shifted in the late 1960s to the newer series, leaving the production of Bonanza largely to his associates during its last five and a half years (1967–1973).

From 1954-1955, he was involved in directing and writing for the CBS legal drama The Public Defender. He produced 'The Restless Gun' (1957–1959), The Cowboys television version (1974), and a prequel series featuring younger versions of the Bonanza characters called Ponderosa (2001), which was produced with Beth Sullivan. In 1979–1980, he created the 13-week CBS miniseries, The Chisholms, starring Robert Preston, Rosemary Harris, and Ben Murphy.

Michael Landon appeared in a supporting role in the pilot for The Restless Gun, starring John Payne, aired on March 19, 1957, as an episode of The Schlitz Playhouse of Stars and Dan Blocker played multiple roles in The Restless Gun in the first season.

Alan W. Livingston of NBC hired Dortort to write the screenplay for the pilot episode of Bonanza.^[2] He did it at night, while producing The Restless Gun by day.^[3]

In 2001, his alma mater, the alumni association of City College of New York, where he had studied history, honored him with its John H. Finley award.^[4]

A native of New York City, Dortort was married for 67 years to Rose Dortort née Seldin, who died September 30, 2007, at age 92. They had two children, Wendy Czarnecki and Fred Dortort. Dortort died in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles, California, on September 5, 2010, a month and a half before his 94th birthday. He had a history of heart problems.^[5]

Writings

Dortort's two published books:

• Dortort, David (1947). Burial of the fruit. New York: Crown Publishers. http://lccn.loc.gov/49007923. Retrieved 2009-09-24. 
• Dortort, David (1949). The post of honor. New York: Whittlesey House. http://lccn.loc.gov/47000360. Retrieved 2009-09-24. 

References

1. ^ Woo, Elaine (September 8, 2010). "David Dortort dies at 93; created and produced TV western 'Bonanza'". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-david-dortort-20100908,0,50733.story. Retrieved 2010-09-22. 
2. ^ Weber, Bruce (March 16, 2009). "Alan W. Livingston, Talent Spotter Who Signed Beatles, Dies at 91". New York Times: p. A25. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_W._Livingston#California_Productions_and_NBC. Retrieved 24 September 2009. 
3. ^ King, Susan (September 19, 2009). "Autry National Center salutes 'Bonanza' Sunday". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-bonanza19-2009sep19,0,3885221.story. Retrieved 21 September 2009. 
4. ^ Arenson, Karen W. (October 3, 2001). "BULLETIN BOARD; City College Alumni Group Will Bestow Honors". New York Times: p. A19. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/03/nyregion/bulletin-board-city-college-alumni-group-will-bestow-honors.html. Retrieved 24 September 2009. 
5. ^ Weber, Bruce (September 9, 2010). "David Dortort, ‘Bonanza’ Creator, Dies at 93". New York Times: p. A28. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/09/arts/television/09dortort.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=david%20dortort&st=cse. Retrieved 2010-09-22. 

Further reading

• "David Dortort." The Complete Marquis Who's Who. Marquis Who's Who, 2010. Gale Biography In Context. Web. Retrieved 22 Sept. 2010. Fee, via Fairfax County Public Library. Document URL http://ic.galegroup.com/ic/bic1/ReferenceDetailsPage/ReferenceDetailsWindow?displayGroupName=K12-Reference&prodId=BIC2&action=e&windowstate=normal&catId=&documentId=GALE%7CK2015232128&mode=view&userGroupName=fairfax_main&jsid=f58d4ae54dc8d4fd7984575112846aae Gale Document Number: GALE|K2015232128

External links

• David Dortort at the Internet Movie Database

Persondata
Name	Dortort, David
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	October 23, 1916
Place of birth	New York City
Date of death	September 5, 2010
Place of death	Los Angeles, California