Ronald Jacobs(1934-2022)

Ronald Jacobs, who graduated from UCLA with a degree in Theater Arts-Motion Pictures, started his television career during his senior year as Production Assistant to producers Louis F. Edelman and Sheldon Leonard. He went on to become Associate Producer, Production Supervisor, Production Executive, Executive in Charge of Production, Director, Producer, Executive Producer and President of Television, for such companies as Daisy Prods., Calvada Prods., Mirisch/Rich Prods., Thomas/Spelling Prods., T&L Prods., Danny Thomas Prods., Sheldon Leonard Prods., and Larry Thompson Org./New World Entertainment. Among the shows with which he was associated with were "The Danny Thomas Show", "The Dick Van Dyke Show", "That Girl", "Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.", "The Mod Squad", "The Andy Griffith Show", "My World and Welcome To It", and "I Spy". He was associated with pilot films for 22 series sold to the networks, and 26 comedy/variety specials; among them were, "Country vs City", "Young And Foolish", "Wonderful World of Burlesque", "My Home Town", "Sea World", "It's Greek To Me", "Guys And Geishas", "Block Party USA", "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To A Special", and "The Unbroken Circle". Twenty movies made for television, including "The Over The Hill Gang", "Three On A Date", "Satan's Triangle", "The Woman He Loved", And Samurai". Jacobs has also directed second unit action scenes, three camera comedy shows, TV title sequences, and over fifty commercials. As Executive in Charge of Production he headed up the Danny Thomas and Sheldon Leonard companies. His varied background included business affairs, industrial relations, personnel, facilities and administrative services. Among the features he produced were "On the Right Track", a very successful comedy-drama for 20th century Fox release; "Jimmy The Kid", from a Donald Westlake novel; a political action feature "Land of the Free"; and an international action feature "Running Red", which was directed by his son, Jerry P. Jacobs. Jacobs also has a well deserved reputation for "script doctoring" and "creative consulting" television movies and low budget features. Among them PM Entertainment's "The Magic Kid" and "The Magic Kid 2" for which he received Executive Producer credit. Producer/Director Jacobs enjoys a reputation for making quality product on, or under budget. "In the early part of my career I was the 'bad cop' in the good cop/bad cop controlling of costs", Jacobs says. "I much prefer my present role of 'tough good cop'--in other words--good cop with fiscal responsibility". Jacobs, who is recognized in "Who's Who in Entertainment" "Who's Who in America" and "Who's Who in The World", is active in civic, charitable and industry affairs. He is a member of both the TV and Motion Picture Academies; The Directors Guild of America; Board of Reps. of The Entertainment Industry Foundation; and was a long time member of the The Board of Trustees of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; The Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the UCLA/Jonson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers. He has been a judge for the Student Academy Awards and TV academy intern program, and Emmy Awards, Ace Cable Awards, and is a judge for the Nicholl Fellowship Screenwriting Awards for the Motion Picture Academy. Jacobs, who spent a great deal of his career fixing other peoples scripts, has turned to writing theatrical features. He has written a middle east based adventure, "Hanging By A Thread"; two scripts for "Crimes of Passion 2", -- a film noire thriller, "The Color of Passion", and with Paula Brancatto, "Love You To Death"; and a relationship comedy, "Warm Lips". With Maria James he wrote "Busted", an erotic comedy. He also wrote "Swedish Summer", a romantic coming of age drama, with Ken Rotcop, for Elephant Productions.