Longtime 'Benson' Director Bill Foster Passes Away - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-12-2011, 12:58 AM

TV director Bill Foster, who helmed sitcoms including "Sanford and Son," "Benson" and "Full House" over a 50-year career, died on Feb. 2 in Los Angeles after a long bout with cancer. He was 78.

Early in his career he directed several Emmy-winning programs, including "The Danny Kaye Show" and "The Bell Telephone Hour." In 1967, he helmed the pilot of "Laugh-In," for which he was nominated for an Emmy.

In 1975 he won a DGA Award for directorial achievement in documentary/news for "AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to James Cagney."

He directed the 1971 and 1972 editions of the Primetime Emmycast, did 12 episodes of "Sanford and Son" in the mid-'70s and was a mainstay for the comedies "Benson," directing 43 episodes between 1982 and 1986, and Sherman Hemsley starrer "Amen," helming 36 episodes between 1986-89.

He last directed 23 episodes of the ABC comedy "Full House" in 1989-90.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn Foster, a son; and two daughters.

Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118031993?refCatId=14

Marvo301 · 02-12-2011, 02:44 AM

Bill Foster

catlover79 · 02-12-2011, 03:53 PM

BensonFan · 02-12-2011, 11:48 PM

Thanks for all your fine work, sir.

blink · 02-17-2011, 10:59 PM

What a body of work, "Sanford and Son" is one of my all time favorites.

02-12-2011, 12:58 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Longtime 'Benson' Director Bill Foster Passes Away TV director Bill Foster, who helmed sitcoms including "Sanford and Son," "Benson" and "Full House" over a 50-year career, died on Feb. 2 in Los Angeles after a long bout with cancer. He was 78. Early in his career he directed several Emmy-winning programs, including "The Danny Kaye Show" and "The Bell Telephone Hour." In 1967, he helmed the pilot of "Laugh-In," for which he was nominated for an Emmy. In 1975 he won a DGA Award for directorial achievement in documentary/news for "AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to James Cagney." He directed the 1971 and 1972 editions of the Primetime Emmycast, did 12 episodes of "Sanford and Son" in the mid-'70s and was a mainstay for the comedies "Benson," directing 43 episodes between 1982 and 1986, and Sherman Hemsley starrer "Amen," helming 36 episodes between 1986-89. He last directed 23 episodes of the ABC comedy "Full House" in 1989-90. He is survived by his wife, Lynn Foster, a son; and two daughters. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118031993?refCatId=14
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02-12-2011, 02:44 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Bill Foster
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02-12-2011, 03:53 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
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02-12-2011, 11:48 PM	#4
BensonFan Board Psychologist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 16, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 2,733	Thanks for all your fine work, sir.
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02-17-2011, 10:59 PM	#5
blink Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 17, 2004 Location: Texarkana AR. Posts: 950	What a body of work, "Sanford and Son" is one of my all time favorites.