Leonard Katzman

Leonard Katzman (September 2, 1927 – September 5, 1996) was an an American film and television screenwriter, producer, and director.

Born in New York City, New York, he was the nephew of Hollywood producer, Sam Katzman. Although an outstanding baseball player with the potential for perhaps making it in the Major Leagues, he chose instead to follow the example of his successful uncle Sam Katzman and go into the entertainment business. Rather than the motion picture industry where his uncle worked for more than forty years, Leonard Katzman chose to make a career in television.

Katzman wrote scripts for TV shows but made his mark as a producer. He produced a number of television series including the long running Gunsmoke from 1970 to 1975. However, he is best remembered as the Executive Producer of the hugely successful series, Dallas.

Leonard Katzman died of a heart attack in Malibu, California and was interred in the Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.