Ernest Jack Neuman (February 27, 1921 – January 15, 1998) was an Edgar and Peabody award-winning American writer and producer.

E. Jack Neuman
BornErnest Jack Neuman
February 27, 1921
Toledo, Ohio
DiedJanuary 15, 1998 (aged 76)
Los Angeles, California
Pen nameJohn Dawson
Jack Dawson
EducationUniversity of Missouri,
University of California-Los Angeles
Genreradio, television
Years active1943-1990
Notable awardsPeabody, Edgar

Early years

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Neuman was born in Toledo, Ohio. He moved to Denver, Colorado, as a child and graduated from Regis Jesuit High School. He attended Colorado State College in Greeley and then transferred to the University of Missouri, where he majored in journalism. He served in the U.S. Marines in World War II in the radio division of Special Services.[1]

Career

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Neuman wrote for dramatic radio shows such as On Stage; Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar; Richard Diamond, Private Detective; Hallmark Hall of Fame; Fort Laramie; Pursuit; and Suspense.[1][2] He wrote some episodes of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar and Have Gun, Will Travel under the pseudonyms John Dawson and Jack Dawson.[2]

His many television credits include episodes of Frontier, Wagon Train, Bonanza, The Untouchables, Dr. Kildare, The Twilight Zone, The Asphalt Jungle, and Gunsmoke. In his lone film, The Venetian Affair (1967) he was writer, producer, and uncredited actor.[3][1]

While writing for television and radio, he took creative writing classes and eventually earned a law degree from the University of California-Los Angeles. He later taught creative writing at UCLA and University of Southern California.[3]

Personal life

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Neuman was married first to Irene Brodowski (Booth), with whom he had four children, and then to Marian Chulay Barbour from 1970 until his death.[3][1]

Death

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He died on January 15, 1998, in Los Angeles, aged 76.[3]

Papers

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The Wisconsin Historical Society is home to the E. Jack Neuman Papers, 1935–1982. The collection includes scripts, correspondence, production reports, and other material from his career.[4]

Television work

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Title Year Role Notes
You Are There 1953-1954 writer 2 episodes
Climax! 1955 writer 2 episodes; "The Long Goodbye", adapted from the Raymond Chandler novel,

Edgar nomination for best episode in a television series

The Twilight Zone 1960 writer Wrote 1 episode: "The Trouble with Templeton"
The Asphalt Jungle 1961 writer 2 episodes; winner of the President Eisenhower Freedoms Award for "The Scott Machine"
Mr. Novak 1963-1965 writer, producer Peabody award win
Sam Benedict 1962-1963 writer, creator Wrote 4 episodes
Berlin Affair 1970 writer, producer Made-for-television movie; written with Richard Alan Simmons

Edgar award win for best episode in a television series, 1970

Police Story 1973-1979 writer, creator Wrote 1 episode
Petrocelli 1974-1976 creator
The Blue Knight 1974 writer, actor (uncredited) Made-for-television movie; Edgar award nomination for best television feature or miniseries
Law and Order 1977 writer Made-for-television movie; Edgar award nomination for best television feature or miniseries
Inside the Third Reich 1982 writer, producer Miniseries; Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Drama Special.
Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase 1990 writer Made-for-television movie; Writers Guild of America Award win for best adapted longform

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Harter, Chuck (October 15, 2017). Mr. Novak : an acclaimed television series. Albany, Georgia. ISBN 9781629331645. OCLC 1031484649.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ a b Ellett, Ryan (December 2017). Radio drama and comedy writers, 1928-1962. Jefferson, North Carolina. ISBN 978-1476665931. OCLC 976239218.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ a b c d "E. Jack Neuman dead at 76". Variety. January 23, 1998. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  4. ^ "E. Jack Neuman Papers, 1935-1982". Wisconsin Historical Society. University of Wisconsin Digital Collections. Archived from the original on February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
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