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SNL Pioneer Craig Kellem's Legendary Career Remembered
3 Dec
Summary
- Co-produced The Rutles mockumentary with Lorne Michaels.
- Helped shepherd iconic shows like The Munsters Today.
- Discovered George Carlin as a junior agent.
Television producer and industry veteran Craig Kellem has died at the age of 81. Kellem was a foundational member of the "Saturday Night Live" team, serving as a producer and talent coordinator during its 1975-76 debut season. He later collaborated with Lorne Michaels to produce the beloved mockumentary "The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash." His career also included significant roles in producing shows like "The Munsters Today," "The New Dragnet," and "The New Adam-12."
Kellem's influence extended to discovering talent, notably signing George Carlin when few others recognized his potential. He began his career in talent agencies, earning the nickname "Road Runner of Madison Avenue" for his energetic approach. His early work also involved producing the Sammy Davis Jr. talk show and "The Gladys Knight & the Pips Show" before his pivotal role at SNL.
Beyond his producing and talent scouting, Kellem also contributed to script consultation through his company Hollywoodscript.com, co-founded with his daughter. He held development roles at Universal Television and 20th Century Fox Television. Kellem's legacy is one of innovation and impact on television comedy and production.
