Thea Flaum (born Thea Kharasch; September 17, 1938) is an American television producer best known as the creator of ''

Sneak Previews ''Sneak Previews'' (known as ''Opening Soon...at a Theater Near You'' from 1975 to 1977 and ''Sneak Previews Goes Video'' from 1989 to 1991) is an American film review show that ran for over two decades on Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). It wa ...

'', the movie review show featuring

Roger Ebert Roger Joseph Ebert (; June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013) was an American film critic, film historian, journalist, screenwriter, and author. He was a film critic for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, Ebert beca ...

and

Gene Siskel Eugene Kal Siskel (January 26, 1946 – February 20, 1999) was an American film critic and journalist for the ''Chicago Tribune''. Along with colleague Roger Ebert, he hosted a series of movie review programs on television from 1975 until his d ...

. She is currently the president of the Hill Foundation for Families Living with Disabilities, a non-profit organization founded by Flaum and her husband, Robert A. Hill.

Early life

Flaum was born in Chicago, Illinois. She is the daughter of Sam and Freda Kharasch, and grew up in Chicago. She graduated from Skidmore College in 1960, with a bachelor's degree in English literature in 2005.

Career

Television career

In 1975, Flaum created a television show called '' Opening Soon at a Theater Near You'' (later known as ''

'' and ''Sneak Previews Goes Video''). A few years later, Flaum was named Executive Producer for National

(PBS) The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is an American public broadcaster and non-commercial, free-to-air television network based in Arlington, Virginia. PBS is a publicly funded nonprofit organization and the most prominent provider of educati ...

cultural programs for WTTW/Chicago. She created the first national parenting series, “Look at Me,” hosted by Phil Donahue. She was responsible for the “Soundstage” music series and for co-productions with MTV and HBO. In 1984, Flaum formed an independent production company based in Chicago. The company focused on family programming—creating, developing and producing dramas, documentaries, specials, series and pilots, for network, cable, syndication and public television. Productions include: ''At the Auction'','' The Appraisal Fair'' and ''CityScapes'' for the Home and Garden Television Network (HGTV,) ''From Junky to Funky'' for DIY and ''De-Classified'', for Tribune Broadcasting. Also ''Love Hurts'', a drama for ABC's AfterSchool Specials series, ''Christmas Every Day'' and ''The Canterville Ghost'', two animated children's specials for CBS and ''Where’s Daddy?'' for NBC. PBS shows include a record-setting series of seven Les Brown specials; Ruth Page's ''Die Fledermaus'' ballet, and ''Ruth Page: Once Upon A Dancer'', a biographical portrait of the American dance pioneer and choreographer.

Hill Foundation for Families Living with Disabilities

Flaum is president of the Hill Foundation for Families Living with Disabilities, which was established in 2007 by Flaum and her husband, Robert A. Hill. The foundation has create
FacingDisability.com
a web resource specifically created to connect families who suddenly have to deal with a

spinal cord injury A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that causes temporary or permanent changes in its function. Symptoms may include loss of muscle function, sensation, or autonomic function in the parts of the body served by the spinal co ...

with people like them.

Community service

Flaum currently serves as a member of the Boards of Trustees of Access Living, the Chicago Television Academy, the Ruth Page Foundation, the Fund for Innovative Television and the Governing Board of the Chicago Symphony.

Personal life

Flaum is married to Chicago businessman, Robert A. Hill, the founder and chairman of Floor Covering Associates. They have four children, Jonathan and Alison Flaum and Vicki and Miranda Hill.

Filmography

Awards

Flaum has won nine Emmy Awards, 10 international film awards, the American Bar Association's “Silver Gavel” award, the “Best in Media” award from the National Council for Children's Rights, a Cine “Golden Eagle,” and a “Golden Apple.” In 1993, she was named Chicago's “Best Producer” by “Screen” Magazine. In 1996, she received the Governor's Award from the Chicago Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In 2001, she received their Silver Circle Award for her “significant contributions to broadcasting”. She was given the Focus Achievement Award from Women in Film Chicago in 2006. She also served as National Vice-President of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.Thea Flaum - Chicago Emmy BioChicago/Midwest National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
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References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Flaum, Thea American television producers American women television producers 1938 births Living people 21st-century American women