Actor, Producer, Writer. He received notoriety as an American actor, producer, and writer in Hollywood films, the television industry, as well as New York City's Broadway plays. He was often credited as “Burt Kaiser.” In 1953 he wrote “I led Three Lives,” a television drama series, which ran for three years with 117 30-minute episodes. In 1956 he produced, co-wrote and acted in "The Female Jungle," the movie that gave an unknown actress, Jayne Mansfield, her start in her successful role. In 1958 he wrote “Flight.” a television series about aviation with 38 30-minute episodes. In the television series “The Rough Riders,” he had a role as a deserter in the episode “The Shadow Past,” which aired November 27, 1958. He produced the New York production of the Irish writer, Brendan Behan's "Borstal Boy," receiving both the 1970 Tony Award and the New York Drama Circle Award for best foreign play. He also co-produced a revival of "Arsenic and Old Lace,” which successfully opened on Broadway in June of 1986 with 221 performances. In 1978, he appeared in a Chicago TV production play as a detective. In 1986, he co-produced his last film, "Glengarry Glen Ross," starring Peter Falk. Having an interesting personal life, he lived as a long-haired hippie-type in a commune on the Hawaiian Island of Maui from the late 1950s to the late 1970s. Later in life, he suffered from Parkinson's Disease. According to his “Chicago Tribute” obituary, he died in his Chicago home following a heart attack. He was married, had three daughters and two brothers.
Actor, Producer, Writer. He received notoriety as an American actor, producer, and writer in Hollywood films, the television industry, as well as New York City's Broadway plays. He was often credited as “Burt Kaiser.” In 1953 he wrote “I led Three Lives,” a television drama series, which ran for three years with 117 30-minute episodes. In 1956 he produced, co-wrote and acted in "The Female Jungle," the movie that gave an unknown actress, Jayne Mansfield, her start in her successful role. In 1958 he wrote “Flight.” a television series about aviation with 38 30-minute episodes. In the television series “The Rough Riders,” he had a role as a deserter in the episode “The Shadow Past,” which aired November 27, 1958. He produced the New York production of the Irish writer, Brendan Behan's "Borstal Boy," receiving both the 1970 Tony Award and the New York Drama Circle Award for best foreign play. He also co-produced a revival of "Arsenic and Old Lace,” which successfully opened on Broadway in June of 1986 with 221 performances. In 1978, he appeared in a Chicago TV production play as a detective. In 1986, he co-produced his last film, "Glengarry Glen Ross," starring Peter Falk. Having an interesting personal life, he lived as a long-haired hippie-type in a commune on the Hawaiian Island of Maui from the late 1950s to the late 1970s. Later in life, he suffered from Parkinson's Disease. According to his “Chicago Tribute” obituary, he died in his Chicago home following a heart attack. He was married, had three daughters and two brothers.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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