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Bill Idelson (1919–2007)

Writer | Actor | Producer

Trivia:

Idelson started out as a child actor, working in film, television and radio. When he became an adult, he left show business for a time and worked in real estate. He missed it, so he managed to break into show business again with the help of his friend Richard Matheson by writing the "Long Distance Call" episode of Twilight Zone with Charles Beaumont... See more trivia »

Born:

in Forest Park, Illinois, USA

Died:

(age 88) in Los Angeles, California, USA
4 videos | 2 news articles »

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Related News

Official Art and Specs: The Twilight Zone Season 2 on Blu-ray and The Twilight Zone Fan Favorites DVD Collection
12 August 2010 3:33 PM, PDT | Dread Central
Bill Idelson Dies
6 January 2008 5:27 PM, PST | WENN
See all 2 related articles »

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Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel -- This reel contains Christopher performing in Film and Television. The clips included are from the following: "The Boundary", "The Wire", "Duplicity", "Law & Order(SVU)", "Michael Clayton", "Cost Of A Soul", "HEROES" and "Law & Order (CI)".

Christopher Mann's Theatrical Demo Reel

My Demo Reel -- Includes clips from GLORY DAZE, COMMUNITY and horror film URBAN EXPLORER.

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David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama -- On-camera drama reel featuring David H. Lawrence XVII, in scenes from Heroes, The Unit, LOST, and more

David H. Lawrence, XVII - Drama

Francine Locke Film Reel -- Family Law (Best Actress, Gideon), Stealing Home (Best Supporting Actress-nom.) 168 Project, True Tale Monster (Albert P. Weisman Award), The Discarded (2011 Feature Release).

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Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins See more awards »

Known For


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Filmography

Hide HideWriter (30 titles)
1987 Punky Brewster (TV series)
– Punky's Porker (1987) (written by)
– Punky's Big Story (1987) (written by)
 
1979 Beanes of Boston (TV movie)
 
1976-1978 M*A*S*H (TV series)
– Tea and Empathy (1978) (written by)
– The Korean Surgeon (1976) (written by)
 
1977 The Betty White Show (TV series)
– Joyce's Wedding (1977) (written by)
 
1977 Fish (TV series)
– The New Kid (1977) (written by)
 
1976 The McLean Stevenson Show (TV series)
– Going My Way (1976) (writer)
 
1974-1976 Happy Days (TV series)
– A Place of His Own (1976) (written by)
– Get a Job (1975) (written by)
– Guess Who's Coming to Christmas (1974) (written by)
 
1975 Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (TV movie)
 
1973 The Bob Newhart Show (TV series)
– Fit, Fat and Forty One (1973) (written by)
– Have You Met Miss Dietz? (1973) (written by)
– You Can't Win 'Em All (1973) (written by)
– The Man with the Golden Wrist (1973) (written by)
 
1972 Anna and the King (TV series)
– The Marriage of Prince Chula (1972) (written by)
– Pilot (1972) (written by)
 
1970-1972 The Odd Couple (TV series)
– The Princess (1972) (written by)
– Partner's Investment (1972) (written by)
– Win One for Felix (1971) (teleplay)
– The Odd Couple Meet Their Host (1971) (written by)
– Natural Childbirth (1971) (written by)
See all 6 episodes »
 
1969-1970 Love, American Style (TV series)
– Love and the Nurse/Love and the Old Boyfriend (1970) (teleplay / segment "Love and the Old Boyfriend")
– Love and the Great Catch/Love and the Hitchhiker/Love and the Nervous Executive (1970) (story / segment "Love and the Great Catch")
– Love and the Big Leap/Love and the Former Marriage/Love and the Good Deal (1969) (teleplay / segment "Love and the Former Marriage")
– Love and the Burglar/Love and the Roommate/Love and the Wild Party (1969) (segment "Love and the Burglar")
– Love and the Busy Husband/Love and the Dating Computer/Love and the Watchdog (1969) (segment "Love and the Watchdog")
 
1970 Barefoot in the Park (TV series)
– Pilot (1970) (written by)
 
1965-1969 Gomer Pyle: USMC (TV series)
– Flower Power (1969) (written by)
– Gomer Maneuvers (1969) (written by)
– Freddy's Friendly Computer (1969) (written by)
– Two on the Bench (1969) (written by)
– Hit and Write (1968) (written by)
See all 23 episodes »
 
1968 That Girl (TV series)
– The Face in the Shower Room Door (1968) (story)
 
1968 The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (TV series)
– Haunted Honeymoon (1968) (written by)
 
1967-1968 The Mothers-In-Law (TV series)
– Don't Give Up the Sloop (1968) (written by)
– Divorce: Mother-in-Law Style (1967) (written by)
 
1968 Bewitched (TV series)
– If They Never Met (1968) (written by / as William Idelson)
 
1968 Good Morning, World (TV series)
– The Wedding Present (1968) (written by)
 
1967-1968 Accidental Family (TV series)
– Who's Been Sleeping in Daddy's Bed (1968) (written by)
– The Woodsman (1967) (written by)
 
1967 Get Smart (TV series)
– Witness for the Persecution (1967) (written by)
– Viva Smart (1967) (written by)
 
1966-1967 Hey, Landlord (TV series)
– Aunt Harriet Wants You (1967) (written by)
– How're You Gonna Keep 'em Down on the Farm, After They've Seen the Rug? (1966) (written by)
– The Daring Duo vs. the Incredible Captain Kill (1966) (written by)
 
1964-1967 The Andy Griffith Show (TV series)
– A Visit to Barney Fife (1967) (written by)
– Big Fish in a Small Town (1966) (written by)
– The County Clerk (1966) (written by)
– A Baby in the House (1966) (written by)
– The Return of Barney Fife (1966) (written by)
See all 19 episodes »
 
1966 The Hero (TV series)
– Who Needs a Friend in Need (1966) (written by)
– I Wouldn't Wish it on a Dog (1966) (written by)
– The Matchmaker (1966) (written by)
– Pardon Me But Your Party's Showing (1966) (written by)
– A Night to Remember to Forget (1966) (written by)
 
1965 Funnyland (TV movie)
 
1964 The Flintstones (TV series)
– Dr. Sinister (1964) (written by)
 
1963-1964 The Dick Van Dyke Show (TV series)
– How to Spank a Star (1964) (written by)
– Uncle George (1963) (written by)
– The Square Triangle (1963) (written by)
 
1963 The Crawling Hand (original story / as Wm. Idelson / screenplay / as Wm. Idelson)
 
1962 Lawman (TV series)
– The Man Behind the News (1962) (story / as William Idelson)
 
1961 Twilight Zone (TV series)
– Long Distance Call (1961) (written by / as William Idelson)
 
Show ShowActor (37 titles)
2007 The War at Home (TV series)
William
– No Weddings and a Funeral (2007) … William
 
2004 The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited (TV movie)
Herman Glimscher
 
2001 Will & Grace (TV series)
Ben
– Mad Dogs and Average Men (2001) … Ben
 
2000 Suddenly Susan (TV series)
Arthur
– Stock Tip (2000) … Arthur
 
1979 Fred and Barney Meet the Shmoo (TV series)
Mickey (voice)
 
1979 The New Shmoo (TV series)
Mickey (voice)
 
1976 Happy Days (TV series)
Doctor
– A Mind of His Own (1976) … Doctor
 
1974 The Odd Couple (TV series)
Judge
– The Dog Story (1974) … Judge
 
1967 The World: Color It Happy (TV movie)
William Hanna (voice) (as Billy Idelson)
 
1963-1966 The Dick Van Dyke Show (TV series)
Herman Glimscher / Bruce
– Dear Sally Rogers (1966) … Herman Glimscher
– Never Bathe on Saturday (1965) … Bruce
– Stacey Petrie: Part I (1965) … Herman Glimscher
– Uncle George (1963) … Herman Glimscher
– My Husband Is a Check-Grabber (1963) … Herman Glimscher
 
1965 Gomer Pyle: USMC (TV series)
Harold Kanobly
– A Groom for Sergeant Carter's Sister (1965) … Harold Kanobly
 
1965 My Favorite Martian (TV series)
Mrs. Brown's Brother
– I'd Rather Fight Than Switch (1965) … Mrs. Brown's Brother
 
1965 Wendy and Me (TV series)
Mr. Andrews
– Call Me or I'll Call You (1965) … Mr. Andrews
 
1965 Mister Ed (TV series)
Hagan
– Ed the Sentry (1965) … Hagan
 
1963-1965 The Bill Dana Show (TV series)
Babcock / Bailey
– Jose, the Old Man (1965) … Babcock
– Danny Thomas, I Love You (1964) … Babcock
– Jose Resigns (1964) … Babcock
– The Hiring of Jose (1964) … Babcock
– Jose and the Brat (1964) … Babcock
See all 7 episodes »
 
1959-1964 Perry Mason (TV series)
Airline Ticket Agent / Autopsy Surgeon / Ellis - Forensics Technician
– The Case of the Wednesday Woman (1964) … Airline Ticket Agent
– The Case of the Red Riding Boots (1960) … Autopsy Surgeon
– The Case of the Bartered Bikini (1959) … Ellis - Forensics Technician (as William Idelson)
 
1963 The Virginian (TV series)
Stage Depot Manager
– It Takes a Big Man (1963) … Stage Depot Manager
 
1963 The Jack Benny Program (TV series)
American GI - Corporal / Purser
– Riverboat Sketch (1963) … Purser
– Jack Does the U.S.O. Show (1963) … American GI - Corporal
 
1962 The Detectives (TV series)
Lab Man
– Night Boat (1962) … Lab Man
 
1962 Checkmate (TV series)
The Bellhop
– A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to the Game (1962) … The Bellhop (as William Idelson)
 
1961 Cheyenne (TV series)
Hotel Clerk
– The Bad Penny (1961) … Hotel Clerk
 
1961 The Last Time I Saw Archie
 
1961 My Three Sons (TV series)
Pete
– Unite or Sink (1961) … Pete
 
1961 Bringing Up Buddy (TV series)
Emcee
– The Singer (1961) … Emcee (as William Idelson)
 
1960 Zane Grey Theater (TV series)
Gunsmith
– The Man from Yesterday (1960) … Gunsmith (as William Idelson)
 
1960 Thriller (TV series)
Jenkins' Neighbor
– The Twisted Image (1960) … Jenkins' Neighbor (as Billy Idelson)
 
1960 Twilight Zone (TV series)
Kelly
– A World of Difference (1960) … Kelly (as William Idelson)
 
1960 Hennesey (TV series)
Mac / Marine
– Hennesey and the Ancient Vehicle (1960) … Marine (as William Idelson)
– Hennesey Joins the Marines (1960) … Mac (as William Idelson)
 
1960 Father Knows Best (TV series)
Asst. Director
– Betty's Double (1960) … Asst. Director (as William Idelson)
 
1959 Leave It to Beaver (TV series)
Newstand Worker
– The Bus Ride (1959) … Newstand Worker (as William Idelson)
 
1959 Peter Gunn (TV series)
Painter
– Edie Finds a Corpse (1959) … Painter (as William Idelson)
 
1955-1959 Dragnet (TV series)
– The Big Roll (1959)
– The Big Locker (1955) (as William Idelson)
– The Big Shot (1955)
– The Big Pipe (1955) (as Billy Idelson)
 
1958 Steve Canyon (TV series)
Mixmaster Capt.
– Operation B-52 (1958) … Mixmaster Capt.
 
1958 Telephone Time (TV series)
Master Sergeant Newsom
– Flight for Life (1958) … Master Sergeant Newsom (as Billy Idelson)
 
1957 Bombers B-52
Tail Gunner (uncredited)
 
1949 One Man's Family (TV series)
Cliff Barbour #2 (1949)
 
1949 Mixed Doubles (TV series)
Bill Abbott
 
Show ShowProducer (4 titles)
1979 Beanes of Boston (TV movie) (producer)
 
1972-1973 The Bob Newhart Show (TV series) (producer - 6 episodes)
– Who's Been Sleeping on My Couch? (1973) (producer)
– Emily, I'm Home - Emily? (1973) (producer)
– The Two Loves of Dr. Hartley (1973) (producer)
– The Man with the Golden Wrist (1973) (producer)
– Let's Get Away from It Almost (1973) (producer)
See all 6 episodes »
 
1972 Anna and the King (TV series) (producer - 13 episodes)
– Serana (1972) (producer)
– Louis' Love (1972) (producer)
– The King and the Egg (1972) (producer)
– The Marriage of Prince Chula (1972) (producer)
– The Haunted Temple (1972) (producer)
See all 13 episodes »
 
1970 Love, American Style (TV series) (producer - 2 episodes)
– Love and the Decision/Love and the Haunted House (1970) (producer)
– Love and the Elopement/Love and the Visitor (1970) (producer)
 
Show ShowMiscellaneous Crew (5 titles)
1977 The Betty White Show (TV series) (story consultant - 2 episodes)
– John's Mother (1977) (story consultant)
– Mitzi's Cousin (1977) (story consultant)
 
1976-1977 The McLean Stevenson Show (TV series) (executive story consultant - 3 episodes)
– Grandma's Secret (1977) (executive story consultant)
– Janet Leaves Home (1977) (executive story consultant)
– Who Do You Trust? (1976) (executive story consultant)
 
1974-1975 Happy Days (TV series) (story consultant - 3 episodes)
– Fish and the Fins (1975) (story consultant)
– Big Money (1974) (story consultant)
– R.O.T.C. (1974) (story consultant)
 
1971 The Odd Couple (TV series) (script consultant - 2 episodes)
– Felix, the Calypso Singer (1971) (script consultant)
– Hospital Mates (1971) (script consultant)
 
1969-1970 Love, American Style (TV series) (script consultant - 3 episodes)
– Love and the Hypnotist/Love and the Psychiatrist (1970) (script consultant)
– Love and the Joker/Love and the Letter/Love and the Living Doll/Love and the Unlikely Couple (1969) (script consultant)
– Love and a Couple of Couples/Love and the Hustler/Love and the Pill (1969) (script consultant)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (1 title)
1966 The Dick Van Dyke Show (TV series)
– Dear Sally Rogers (1966) (performer: "Old Folks at Home" - uncredited)
 

Related Videos

Twilight Zone: Season 2: Episode 22 -- A toy telephone becomes the link between a young boy and his dead grandmother. Twilight Zone: Season 1: Episode 23 -- A businessman sitting in his office inexplicably finds that he is on a production set and in a world where he is a movie star. Uninterested in the newfound fame, he fights to get back to his home and family. The Andy Griffith Show: Season 7: Episode 18 -- Andy takes a trip to Raleigh to visit Barney and ends up making him a hero by solving a series of robberies.
See all 4 »
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Personal Details

Other Works:

Book: "Bill Idelson's Writing Class". Needed Books, 2007. ISBN 159393100X See more »

Publicity Listings:

2 Articles  | See more »

Official Sites:

Official Site | See more »

Alternate Names:

Billy Idelson | William Idelson | Wm. Idelson
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Did You Know?

Trivia:

Idelson started out as a child actor, working in film, television and radio. When he became an adult, he left show business for a time and worked in real estate. He missed it, so he managed to break into show business again with the help of his friend Richard Matheson by writing the "Long Distance Call" episode of Twilight Zone with Charles Beaumont... See more »

Star Sign:

Leo