Producer Michael Abbott Dies at 81

Michael Abbott, a long-time television, film, and theatre producer who produced the first New York production of Stalag 17 in 1951, died of cancer on Thursday January 24, 2008 at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan. He was 81. Abbott had been working on a new production of Stalag 17 with Director Spike Lee for an upcoming Broadway engagement.

Funeral arrangements for Mr. Michael Abbott will take place this Sunday January 27 at 11:30AM at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel (1076 Madison Ave at 81st Street, New York, NY 10028).

Before making his way into the world of producing, Abbott appeared for the first time on Broadway as an actor in Herman Wouk's 1949 drama, The Traitor, from which, at the tender age of 23, he brought to Broadway the comedy Late Love starring Arlene Francis. His success continued oversees at London's Royal Court Theatre with the production of From Here and There, an Anglo-American musical revue.

Over the course of his extensive producing career,Abbott, as a Producer and Executive-in-Charge of the West Coast offices of Talent Associates-Paramount, has produced some of the most memorable shows on television including "The Prince and the Pauper," "The Bridge of San Luis Rey," "A Tale of Two Cities" and in 1959 "The Moon and Sixpence".

Abbott also produced a gamut of network specials with superstar casts including two award-winning Eleanor Roosevelt tributes written by Emmy-Award winner Reginald Rose, "Something Special" with Robert Young and "At This Very Moment", hosted by Burt Lancaster, starring Bob Hope, Harry Belafonte, Lena Home, and President John. F. Kennedy.

Michael Abbot was born and raised in New York City and studied at both Pratt Institute and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He was a member of the famous Bucks County Playhouse acting company and also appeared on such television programs as "Martin Kane," "Philco-Goodyear Playhouse," and many Milton Berle Texaco shows.

One of Abbott's most distinguished accomplishments includes his production of "Hedda Hopper's Hollywood" (which beat long-time "King of Sunday night TV" Ed Sullivan for the first time in the ratings) and has become a cult favorite over the years, featuring the legendary stars Gary Cooper, Lucille Ball, James Stewart, Liza Minnelli, Anthony Perkins, Debbie Reynolds and Gloria Swanson among others.