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NEED TO KNOW
Emmy-winning TV director Bruce Bilson has died
Bruce was 97 when he died peacefully at his L.A. home on Friday, Jan. 16, per The Hollywood Reporter
Grandfather to Rachel Bilson, Bruce was a prolific director who worked on hit shows including The Andy Griffith Show, Get Smart and Hogan's Heroes
Bruce Bilson has died.
The Emmy-winning director died on Friday, Jan. 16, at his home in L.A., according to his daughter, Julie Bilson Ahlberg, who toldThe Hollywood Reporter.
Bruce died "peacefully," she told the outlet. He was 97.
The grandfather ofRachel Bilson, Bruce was an award-winning director best known for directing episodes of hit series, includingThe Andy Griffith Show, Get Smart and Hogan's Heroes
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Rachel, 44, shared a screenshot ofTHR's obit for her grandfather on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, Jan. 21. "This is really nice," she wrote of the obit, adding "🙏🏻🤍."
Rachel's father, screenwriter Danny Bilson, was Bruce's son, who he shared with his ex-wife Mona Weichman, along with daughter Julie. Danny shares Rachel with his ex-wife, Janice Stango.
Bruce's first directing credit came in 1956 for the TV series,Science Fiction Theatre,where he was second assistant director. He then served as assistant director for over 50 episodes ofThe Andy GriffithShowfrom 1960 to 1962, and followed that up withRoute 66.
By 1965, he was earning director credits for TV shows, likeThe Patty DukeShow.
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In 1968, Bruce won anEmmyfor Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy for an episode ofGet Smart, which starred Don Adams,David Ketchumand Barbara Feldon. He was also nominated for a Directors Guild Award in 1972 for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in a Comedy Series forThe Odd Couple.
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Bruce's resume also includes directing credits on episodes of many major TV shows from the '70s and '80s, includingThe Doris Day Show, M*A*S*H, The Brady Bunch, The Fall Guy, Hawaii Five-OandDynasty.
The '90s seriesVipermarked Bruce's final directing job, and he directed 10 episodes of the NBC series from 1994 to 1999.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Renne Jarrett, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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