ABRAHAMS, Mort March 26, 1916 - May 28, 2009 Television production pioneer, film producer and educator Mort Abrahams passed away at his Studio City home May 28 with his wife and daughter at his side. He leaves Dorothy, his wife of 68 years, and daughter Marjie Abrahams both of Studio City. He was preceded in death by his son Dr. Joel Abrahams of New Orleans in 2008. Also surviving are grandson Josh Abrahams of Redondo Beach and three great-grandchildren. Born in New York City, he was president of NYU class of 1936 and achieved a masters degree in economics from Columbia University. After a few years working in finance Mort found his true vocation in the film business producing film shorts and documentaries. Eventually joining Columbia Pictures, he became assistant to the then treasurer, film legend Leo Jaffe. In 1948 Mort entered the nascent television industry producing Tom Corbett, Space Cadet and Tales of Tomorrow. He was in charge of East Coast TV Production for MCA and was a producer for the number one show of its time, General Electric Theater, hosted by Ronald Reagan. Having moved west in the Sixties his TV credits included The Third Man, Route 66, Kraft Suspense Theater, and The Man from UNCLE. He went on to be Executive Vice-President in Charge of Production at Apjac Productions overseeing such films as Dr. Doolittle, Goodbye Mr. Chips, The Chairman, and most notably the first two films of The Planet of the Apes series. Another highlight of his career was as VP in Charge of Production in 1972 of the American Film Theater which in a period of ten months in London and Los Angeles produced eight film adaptations of classic theatrical plays including The Iceman Cometh starring Lee Marvin, Fredric March and Robert Ryan; A Delicate Balance starring Kate Hepburn, and Joseph Cotton; and Three Sisters starring Laurence Olivier. His work in film production continued through 1987. From 1989 through 1994 Mort was Producer-in-Residence at the American Film Institute Center for Advanced Television and Film studies where he oversaw the production of student film projects.
Mort was an avid tennis fan and played a regular game into his mid-eighties. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and friend to many. His immeasurable gentleness, generosity and wisdom so freely shared will be missed by all who knew him. A private ceremony will be held at Mount Sinai in Los Angeles on June 7. A memorial celebration is pending. Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries - Hollywood Hills, (800) 600-0076
Published in the Los Angeles Times on June 7, 2009