Hugh Wilson obit

Hugh Wilson, ‘Police Academy’ Director and ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ Creator, Dies at 74

 

He was not on the list.

Hugh Wilson, creator of the CBS comedies “WKRP in Cincinnati” and “Frank’s Place” and writer-director of the first “Police Academy” movie, died Jan. 14 in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was 74.

Wilson was a writer for the “Bob Newhart Show” and “The Tony Randall Show” and won an Emmy for best comedy writing in 1988 for “Frank’s Place.” He received Emmy nominations for his work on “The Famous Teddy Z” and “WKRP in Cincinnati.” He was twice awarded the Humanitas Prize, given for television and film writing that promotes meaning and human dignity.

Wilson excelled as a creator of ensemble comedies with enduring appeal. “WKRP,” which ran from 1978-1982, revolved around a motley group of characters at a run-down Cincinnati radio station. “Frank’s Place,” which lasted only one season in 1987-88, was set a restaurant in New Orleans. Both shows are often cited among TV’s all-time best comedies.

The 1984 comedy “Police Academy,” starring Steve Guttenberg, became a major hit and spawned six more films in the series.

Among the other movies he directed were “First Wives Club,” starring Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler; “Blast from the Past”; and Shirley MacLaine and Nicolas Cage film “Guarding Tess.” He also directed the 1999 romantic comedy “Dudley Do-Right” with actors Brendan Fraser and Sarah Jessica Parker. Wilson last directed the 2004 sport film “Mickey” starring Harry Connick Jr.

Born in Miami, Wilson graduated from the University of Florida in 1965 with a degree in journalism. He worked in advertising before segueing into TV writing. In 1982, the University of Florida presented Wilson with the Distinguished Alumnus award. He taught TV and screen writing at the University of Virginia.

He is survived by his wife, five children, and four grandchildren.

 

Filmography

 

Films

 

Non-acting film credits for Hugh Wilson

Year     Title            Director           Writer            Producer         Notes

1972    The Bagel Report            Yes            Yes            Yes            Also editor

1983    Stroker Ace                  Yes                 

1984    Police Academy            Yes            Yes                 

1985            Rustlers' Rhapsody            Yes            Yes                 

1987    Burglar            Yes            Yes                 

1994            Guarding Tess  Yes            Yes                 

1996    Down Periscope                     Yes                 

1996    The First Wives Club     Yes                             

1998    Southie                         Yes     

1999    Blast from the Past            Yes            Yes            Yes     

1999    Dudley Do-Right            Yes            Yes            Yes     

2004    Mickey            Yes                             

2012            Keepers of the Flame               Yes                  Documentary short

Film acting credits for Hugh Wilson

Year     Title            Role

1984    Police Academy            Angry Driver

1985            Rustlers' Rhapsody            Complaining John

1987    Burglar            Customer at Mayday

1994            Guarding Tess            President (voice)

1996    The First Wives Club            Commercial Director

1999    Blast from the Past            Levy

1999    One More Kiss            Frank's false teeth

2004    Mickey            Munson

Television

Non-acting television credits for Hugh Wilson

Year     Title            Director           Writer            Executive

producer            Creator            Notes

1976    The Bob Newhart Show               Yes                              3 episodes

1976–78            The Tony Randall Show   Yes            Yes            Yes                  Director (4 episodes) / writer (6 episodes)

1978–82            WKRP in Cincinnati            Yes            Yes            Yes            Yes            All 90 episodes / director (2 episodes) / writer (17 episodes) / theme song writer

1986–87            Easy Street   Yes            Yes            Yes            Yes            All 22 episodes / director (3 episodes) / writer (episode: "The Mad Gardener")

1987–88            Frank's Place    Yes            Yes            Yes            Yes            All 22 episodes / director (7 episodes) / writer (9 episodes)

1989–90            The Famous Teddy Z          Yes            Yes            Yes            Yes            All 20 episodes / director (3 episodes) / writer (4 episodes)

1991    Sunday in Paris Yes                  Yes                  TV short

1991–93            The New WKRP in Cincinnati                                             Yes     

1997    Rough Riders              Yes                              Miniseries (2 episodes)

Non-acting television film credits for Hugh Wilson

Year     Title            Director           Writer            Producer         Notes

1977    The Chopped Liver Brothers            Yes            Yes                 

2000    The Contender            Yes            Yes            Yes            Unaired pilot for UPN

Television acting credits for Hugh Wilson

Year     Title            Role            Notes

1978    WKRP in Cincinnati            Policeman #1            Episode: "Hold Up"

1988    Frank's Place    D. Wayne Thomas            Episode: "Where's Ed?"