Rod Amateau(1923-2003)

Producer
Director
Writer

Starting out as a radio writer, Rodney Amateau began his career as a dialogue coach and filmed screen tests for Fox Studios while working as a stunt dbl before directing 2nd Unit's, where he began his film career. He soon turned to directing TV series, which he did for many years before returning to film directing in the 1970s.

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Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
- 2 nominations total

Known for

The Garbage Pail Kids Movie

2.7

Producer

1987

In a Lonely Place

7.9

Additional Crew(as Rodney Amateau)

1950

Where Does It Hurt?

5.2

Producer

1972

O.K. Crackerby!

7.1

TV Series

Producer

Credits

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Producer

Swimsuit
5.2
TV Movie
- producer
- 1989
The Garbage Pail Kids Movie
2.7
- producer
- 1987
Six Pack
6.1
TV Movie
- producer
- 1983
Highway Honeys
TV Movie
- producer
- 1983
The Dukes of Hazzard
7.1
TV Series
- supervising producer
- 1979–1982
Border Pals
TV Movie
- executive producer
- 1981
Enos
5.2
TV Series
- supervising producer
- 1980
Supertrain
4.5
TV Series
- producer
- 1979
Where Does It Hurt?
5.2
- producer
- 1972
NBC Children's Theatre
6.3
TV Series
- producer
- 1967
Vacation Playhouse
7.6
TV Series
- producer
- 1966
My Mother the Car
4.7
TV Series
- producer
- 1965–1966
O.K. Crackerby!
7.1
TV Series
- executive producer
- producer
- 1965–1966
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
7.3
TV Series
- producer
- 1964
The New Phil Silvers Show
7.2
TV Series
- producer
- 1963–1964

Director

Gilligan's Island
7.4
TV Series
- Director
- 1964–1992
The Garbage Pail Kids Movie
2.7
- Director
- 1987
True Confessions
6.2
TV Series
- Director
- 1985
Lovelines
5.1
- Director
- 1984
Six Pack
6.1
TV Movie
- Director
- 1983
High School U.S.A.
5.5
TV Movie
- Director
- 1983
Highway Honeys
TV Movie
- Director
- 1983
Uncommon Valor
6.7
TV Movie
- Director
- 1983
The Dukes of Hazzard
7.1
TV Series
- Director
- 1979–1981
Enos
5.2
TV Series
- Director
- 1980
Supertrain
4.5
TV Series
- Director
- 1979
Son of Hitler
4.1
- Director
- 1979
The Seniors
4.3
- Director
- 1978
Drive-In
6.2
- Director
- 1976
Where Does It Hurt?
5.2
- Director
- 1972

Writer

Sunset
5.7
- story
- 1988
The Garbage Pail Kids Movie
2.7
- written by
- 1987
Highway Honeys
TV Movie
- Writer
- 1983
Border Pals
TV Movie
- Writer
- 1981
The Wilby Conspiracy
6.4
- screenplay
- 1975
Where Does It Hurt?
5.2
- novel "The Operator"
- screenplay
- 1972
Pussycat, Pussycat, I Love You
4.4
- written by
- 1970
Hook, Line and Sinker
5.4
- screenplay
- story
- 1969
NBC Children's Theatre
6.3
TV Series
- Writer
- 1967
Vacation Playhouse
7.6
TV Series
- writer
- 1966
The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis
7.7
TV Series
- story
- written by
- 1959–1962
The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse
7.7
TV Series
- teleplay
- 1954
The Revlon Mirror Theater
3.7
TV Series
- teleplay
- 1953
Your Play Time
TV Series
- adaptation
- 1953
General Electric Theater
6.7
TV Series
- story
- 1953

Personal details

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Alternative name
- Rodney Amateau
Born
- December 20, 1923
- New York City, New York, USA
Died
- June 29, 2003
- Los Angeles, California, USA(massive cerebral hemorrhage)
Spouses
Children
Other works
Unsold pilot: Directed a sitcom pilot for a proposed ABC series called "My Man St. John" about a billionaire (Burl Ives) who hires a tutor for his kids and finds the man he hired could care less about his wealth and influence.
Publicity listings
- 1 Article

Did you know

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Trivia
The Blake Edwards film Sunset (1988), starring James Garner as Wyatt Earp and Bruce Willis as Tom Mix, was based on Amateau's unpublished book.

Quotes
[Talking about Las Vegas] Usually the reason a city exists is because it is by a river. There's no river near Las Vegas. There is no reason for Las Vegas to exist.