Irma May Kalish ( Ginsberg; October 6, 1924 – September 3, 2021) was an American television producer and screenwriter who held a pioneering role as a woman in the TV industry. Kalish produced and wrote for television programs, including ''

Too Close for Comfort ''Too Close for Comfort'' is an American sitcom television series that aired on ABC from November 11, 1980, to May 5, 1983, and in first-run syndication from April 7, 1984, to February 7, 1987. Its name was changed to ''The Ted Knight Show'' w ...

'', ''

All in the Family ''All in the Family'' is an American television sitcom that aired on CBS for nine seasons, from January 12, 1971, to April 8, 1979. Afterwards, it was continued with the spin-off series '' Archie Bunker's Place'', which picked up where ''All in ...

'', '' The Facts of Life'', ''

Good Times ''Good Times'' is an American television sitcom that aired for six seasons on CBS, from February 8, 1974, to August 1, 1979. Created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans and developed by executive producer Norman Lear, it was television's first African ...

'', ''

The Hogan Family ''The Hogan Family'' (originally titled ''Valerie'' and later ''Valerie's Family'') is an American sitcom television series that began airing on NBC on March 1, 1986, and finished its run on CBS on July 20, 1991, for a total of six seasons. I ...

'', '' Maude'', ''

I Dream of Jeannie ''I Dream of Jeannie'' is an American fantasy sitcom television series, created by Sidney Sheldon that starred Barbara Eden as a sultry, 2,000-year-old genie and Larry Hagman, as an astronaut with whom she falls in love and eventually marrie ...

'', ''

F Troop ''F Troop'' is a satirical American television sitcom Western about U.S. soldiers and Native Americans in the Wild West during the 1860s that originally aired for two seasons on ABC. It debuted in the United States on September 14, 1965, and ...

'' and ''

Family Affair ''Family Affair'' is an American sitcom starring Brian Keith and Sebastian Cabot that aired on CBS from September 12, 1966, to March 4, 1971. The series explored the trials of well-to-do engineer and bachelor Bill Davis (Keith) as he attempte ...

''. She is known for writing the episode of '' Maude'' where Maude gets an abortion.

Early life and education

Kalish was born in

The Bronx The Bronx () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the state of New York. It is south of Westchester County; north and east of the New York City borough of Manhattan, across the Harlem River; and north of the New Y ...

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

. In 1944 or 1945, Kalish graduated from

Syracuse University Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York. Established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the university has been nonsectarian since 1920. Locate ...

Career

Kalish produced and wrote for television programs, including ''

'', ''

'', '' The Facts of Life'', ''

'', ''

'', '' Maude'', ''

'', ''

'' and ''

''. Starting with the radio show, ''

The Martin and Lewis Show ''The Martin and Lewis Show'' is a radio comedy-variety program in the United States starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. It was broadcast on the NBC Radio Network beginning April 3, 1949, and ending July 14, 1953. Background After losing ''The J ...

'', that featured

Dean Martin Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti; June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an American singer, actor and comedian. One of the most popular and enduring American entertainers of the mid-20th century, Martin was nicknamed "The King of Cool". M ...

and

Jerry Lewis Jerry Lewis (born Joseph Levitch; March 16, 1926 – August 20, 2017) was an American comedian, actor, singer, filmmaker and humanitarian. As his contributions to comedy and charity made him a global figure in popular culture, pop culture ...

, Kalish often wrote with her husband Rocky, her writing partner. When the radio show became a TV show, the Kalishes made the shift to writing for television. Kalish also executive produced '' 227'', a sitcom about a working-class African-American family in Washington, D.C. Kalish also wrote under the pseudonym Cady Kalian with co-writer

Naomi Gurian Naomi Gurian (born 1 March 1933) is a retired California lawyer and former executive director of the Writers Guild of America, west. Born in New York City, her parents Elias Jerome and Ethel (Lipman) Gurian moved to Los Angeles and she got her ...

Personal life

Kalish was married to Austin “Rocky” Kalish from 1948 to his death in 2016. The couple met when they were young kids in the Bronx. Kalish was Rocky's sister's friend. They had a son, comedy writer

Bruce Kalish Bruce Elliot Kalish (born May 22, 1952) is a television writer and producer. He is the son of veteran TV producers Austin Kalish and Irma Kalish. Career biography He began his career working on shows such as ''The Incredible Hulk'', ''Mork & Mi ...

, and a daughter, Nancy Biederman, who pre-deceased Kalish. Kalish died on September 3, 2021, at the

Motion Picture & Television Fund The Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) is a charitable organization that offers assistance and care to those in the motion picture and television industries and their families with limited or no resources, including services such as tempo ...

cottages in

Woodland Hills, California Woodland Hills is a neighborhood bordering the Santa Monica Mountains in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. Geography Woodland Hills is in the southwestern region of the San Fernando Valley, which is located east of Ca ...

, at the age of 96 from complications of

pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severity ...

Membership

Association for Women in Communications The Association for Women in Communications (AWC) is an American professional organization for women in the communications industry. History Theta Sigma Phi The Association for Women in Communications began in 1909 as Theta Sigma Phi (), an ho ...

, Executive member *

Motion Picture and Television Fund The Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) is a charitable organization that offers assistance and care to those in the motion picture and television industries and their families with limited or no resources, including services such as tempo ...

, Board member * Women in Film, President * WIF Foundation, Chair *

Weizmann Institute of Science The Weizmann Institute of Science ( he, מכון ויצמן למדע ''Machon Vaitzman LeMada'') is a public research university in Rehovot, Israel, established in 1934, 14 years before the State of Israel. It differs from other Israeli unive ...

(Rehovot, Israel), Women & Science, founding member * 1964- :

Writers Guild of America West The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is a labor union representing film, television, radio, and new media writers. It was formed in 1954 from five organizations representing writers, including the Screen Writers Guild. It has around 20,000 m ...

, Vice President and Board member

Honors

* 1978:

, National Headliner Awards * 1993:

Writers Guild of America The Writers Guild of America is the joint efforts of two different US labor unions representing TV and film writers: * The Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), headquartered in New York City and affiliated with the AFL–CIO * The Writers Guil ...

, Morgan Cox Award * 1997:

, George Arents Pioneer Medal * 1997: WIF Foundation, Founders Award * 2005:

Valentine Davies Award The Valentine Davies Award, named after Valentine Davies, is a special award given to a member of the Writers Guild of America, West The Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) is a labor union representing film, television, radio, and new media ...

* 2014:

, Eggers Senior Alumni Award *

, Far West Woman of Achievement Award

Selected filmography

* ''

'' (Radio show), writer * ''

'' (TV series), writer * 1955: '' The Millionaire'' (TV series), story (episode: "The Philip Sargent Story") * 1964: ''

The Patty Duke Show ''The Patty Duke Show'' is an American television sitcom created by Sidney Sheldon and William Asher. The series ran on ABC from September 18, 1963, to April 27, 1966. The series was developed as a vehicle for teenage star Patty Duke, who h ...

'' (TV series), written by (episode: "This Little Patty Went to Market") * 1965: ''

'' (TV series), written by (episode: "Whatever Became of Baby Custer?") * 1965-1966: ''

Gidget Gidget () is a fictional character created by author Frederick Kohner (based on his teenaged daughter, Kathy) in his 1957 novel, ''Gidget, the Little Girl with Big Ideas''. The novel follows the adventures of a teenaged girl and her surfing fri ...

'' (TV series), written by/teleplay (3 episodes) * 1965-1971: ''

My Three Sons ''My Three Sons'' is an American television sitcom that aired from September 29, 1960, to April 13, 1972. The series was broadcast on ABC during its first five seasons, before moving to CBS for the remaining seasons. ''My Three Sons'' chronicl ...

'' (TV series), written by (8 episodes) * 1966: ''

My Favorite Martian ''My Favorite Martian'' is an American sitcom that aired on CBS from September 29, 1963, to May 1, 1966, for 107 episodes. The show stars Ray Walston as "Uncle Martin" (the Martian) and Bill Bixby as Tim O'Hara. The first two seasons, totalin ...

'' (TV series), written by (2 episodes) * 1966: ''

Please Don't Eat the Daisies ''Please Don't Eat the Daisies'' (New York: Doubleday, 1957) is a best-selling collection of humorous essays by American humorist and playwright Jean Kerr about suburban living and raising four boys. The essays do not have a plot or through-sto ...

'' (TV series), written by (2 episodes) * 1966: '' The Hero'' (TV series), written by (episode: "The Day They Shot Sam Garrett") * 1967: ''

That Girl ''That Girl'' is an American sitcom that ran on ABC from September 8, 1966 to March 19, 1971. It starred Marlo Thomas as the title character Ann Marie, an aspiring (but only sporadically employed) actress, who moves from her hometown of Brewster ...

'' (TV series), written by (episode: "The Honeymoon Apartment") * 1966-1967: ''

'' (TV series), writer (8 episodes) * 1966-1971: ''

'' (TV series), 1966-1971 written by (22 episodes); 1969-1971 story consultant (41 episodes) * 1967: ''

He & She ''He & She'' is an American sitcom that aired on the CBS television network as part of its 1967–1968 lineup, originally sponsored by General Foods and Lever Brothers. ''He & She'' is widely considered by broadcast historians to have been ah ...

'' (TV series), written by (episode: "One of Our Firemen Is Missing") * 1967-1968: ''

The Flying Nun ''The Flying Nun'' is an American sitcom about a community of nuns which included one who could fly when the wind caught her cornette. It was produced by Screen Gems for ABC based on the 1965 book '' The Fifteenth Pelican,'' written by Tere ...

'' (TV series, written by (2 episodes) * 1968: ''

Cimarron Strip ''Cimarron Strip'' is an American Western television series starring Stuart Whitman as Marshal Jim Crown. The series was produced by the creators of '' Gunsmoke'', and aired on CBS from September 1967 to March 1968. Reruns of the original show ...

'' (TV series), written by (episode: "Heller") * 1970-1971: ''

Nanny and the Professor ''Nanny and the Professor'' is an early 1970s American sitcom created by AJ Carothers and Thomas L. Miller for 20th Century-Fox Television that aired on ABC from January 21, 1970 until December 27, 1971. During pre-production, the proposed tit ...

'' (TV series), written by (2 episodes) * 1971-1973: ''

'' (TV series), story by (2 episodes); teleplay by (2 episodes), written by (2 episodes) * 1972: '' Maude'' (TV series), written by (2 episodes) * 1972: ''

Anna and the King ''Anna and the King'' is a 1999 American biographical period drama film directed by Andy Tennant and written by Steve Meerson and Peter Krikes. Loosely based on the 1944 novel '' Anna and the King of Siam'', which gives a fictionalized account ...

'' (TV series), written by (episode: "The King and the Egg") * 1973: ''

The Bob Newhart Show ''The Bob Newhart Show'' is an American sitcom television series produced by MTM Enterprises that aired on CBS from September 16, 1972, to April 1, 1978, with a total of 142 half-hour episodes over six seasons. Comedian Bob Newhart portrays a psy ...

'' (TV series), written by (episode: "Bum Voyage") * 1973-1974: ''

Dusty's Trail ''Dusty's Trail'' is an American Western/ comedy series starring Bob Denver and Forrest Tucker that aired in syndication from September 1973 to March 1974. The series is a western-themed reworking of Denver's previous series '' Gilligan's Island'' ...

'' (TV series), written by (2 episodes) * 1973-1974: ''

The Brian Keith Show ''The Brian Keith Show'' (titled ''The Little People'' during its first season) is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from September 1972 to March 1974. The series stars Brian Keith and Shelley Fabares. Synopsis Keith plays Dr. Sean Jamison, ...

'' (TV series), written by (2 episodes) * 1974: ''

Apple's Way ''Apple's Way'' is an American drama television series that aired on CBS from February 10, 1974, to January 12, 1975. It was created by Earl Hamner Jr. Premise The Apples of Los Angeles—architect George, his wife Barbara, their children Paul ...

'' (TV series), writer * 1975: ''Love Nest'' (TV movie), writer * 1975: ''The Supercops'' (TV movie), writer * 1975: ''Keep Off My Grass!'' (TV movie), producer; writer * 1976: ''

Good Heavens ''Good Heavens'' is an ABC comedy anthology series produced by Columbia Pictures Television that aired between February 29 and June 26, 1976. It ranked #17 in the Nielsen ratings during the 1975-76 television season. The main character was Mr. ...

'' (TV series), producer (episode: "Coffee, Tea, or Gloria"); written by (4 episodes) * 1976-1978: ''

'' (TV series), 1976-1977 producer (24 episodes); 1976-1978 script supervisor (48 episodes); 1976-1977 written by (5 episodes); 1977-1978 executive producer (24 episodes) * 1977: ''Mason'' (TV movie), creator; written by * 1978-1979: ''

Carter Country ''Carter Country'' is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from September 15, 1977 to August 23, 1979. It starred Victor French and Kene Holliday. A young Melanie Griffith appeared in two episodes. Synopsis ''Carter Country'' is set in the ...

'' (TV series), executive producer (episode: "Hurricane Jasper"); written by (2 episodes) * 1979: ''Rendezvous Hotel'' (TV movie), executive producer; writer * 1979: ''America 2100'' (TV movie), executive producer; writer * 1979: '' Out of the Blue'' (TV series), executive producer (episode: "Random's Arrival") * 1980: ''Ghost of a Chance'' (TV movie), executive producer; writer * 1980-1982: ''

'' (TV series), 1980-1982 producer (40 episodes); 1981-1982 written by (6 episodes); 1981 teleplay (1 episode); 1982 story (1 episode) * 1982: ''Kangaroos in the Kitchen'' (TV movie), producer, writer * 1983: ''

Foot in the Door Foot-in-the-door (FITD) technique is a compliance tactic that aims at getting a person to agree to a large request by having them agree to a modest request first. This technique works by creating a connection between the person asking for a req ...

'' (TV series), producer (episode: "Pilot"); written by (episode: "The Big Breakthrough") * 1983: '' Oh Madeline'' (TV series), producer (18 episodes); story (1 episode); written by (1 episode) * 1985: ''

Finder of Lost Loves ''Finder of Lost Loves'' is an American drama series aired by the ABC network during the 1984–1985 season. Synopsis After Cary Maxwell's (Anthony Franciosa) wife Kate dies, he decides to set up a private detective agency specializing in reu ...

'' (TV series), writer (episode: "From the Heart") * 1985: '' I Dream of Jeannie... Fifteen Years Later'' (TV movie), story/teleplay * 1986-1988: '' The Facts of Life'' (TV series), 1986-1988 executive producer (46 episodes); 1986-1988 written by (5 episodes) * 1987: ''

Good Morning, Miss Bliss ''Good Morning, Miss Bliss'' (also retroactively known as ''Saved by the Bell: The Junior High Years'') is an American teen sitcom that aired on the Disney Channel from 1988 to 1989 (and later in syndication as part of the ''Saved by the Bell'' ...

'' (TV series), executive consultant (episode: "Pilot") * 1988-1990: '' 227'' (TV series), 1988-1990 executive producer (39 episodes); 1989 written by (episode: "Tenants, Anyone?") * 1990: '' Sugar and Spice'' (TV series), executive producer (episode: "Breaking in Is Hard to Do"); creator; writer (episode: "Pilot") * 1990-1991: ''

Valerie Valerie may refer to: People *Saint Valerie (disambiguation), a number of saints went by the name Valerie *Valerie (given name), a feminine given name Songs *"Valerie", a 1981 song by Quarterflash, from ''Quarterflash'' *"Valerie", a 1982 son ...

'' (TV series), executive producer (13 episodes) * 1998: ''

The Famous Jett Jackson ''The Famous Jett Jackson'' is a coming-of-age television series for the Disney Channel. The show is about a boy named Jett Jackson ( Lee Thompson Young) who plays a teenage secret agent on a fictional show-within-a-show called ''Silverstone''. ...

'' (TV series), co-writer (episode: "Age Old Story") * 2014: ''The Lottery'' (Short), writer

About

* "The Good Life," ''

Writer's Digest ''Writer's Digest'' is an American magazine aimed at beginning and established writers. It contains interviews, market listings, calls for manuscripts, and how-to articles. History ''Writer's Digest'' was first published in December 1920 under ...

'', November 1950. Cover-featured article on Irma and Rocky Kalish. The front cover text reads, "Two free lance writers edit ''Romance Western Roundup'' on the beach."Reprinted in ''Pulpwood Days: Volume One: Editors You Want to Know'', Locke, ed., Off-Trail Publications, 2007. * Karen Young, "Hollywood vets Irma Kalish and

on getting their groove back, in novel form," '' Encino Sun'', October 28-November 3, 2006.

References

External links

*
Irma Kalish Scripts and Videos
(1954-1990) at Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries
Irma Kalish
at

Find a Grave Find a Grave is a website that allows the public to search and add to an online database of cemetery records. It is owned by Ancestry.com. Its stated mission is "to help people from all over the world work together to find, record and present fin ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kalish, Irma 1924 births 2021 deaths Deaths from pneumonia in California Television producers from New York (state) American television producers American women television producers American television writers American women television writers Screenwriters from New York (state) 20th-century American screenwriters 20th-century American women writers Syracuse University alumni Writers from the Bronx Burials at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery 21st-century American women