Photo credit: www.thewrap.com
Don Mischer, a celebrated television director and producer known for his work on major events including the Oscars and the Olympics, has passed away at the age of 85 at his home in Los Angeles, as reported by various media outlets.
Throughout his illustrious career, Mischer produced a vast array of high-profile television events. His recent work included the 2025 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony held in Los Angeles on April 5. Just before this event, he expressed his intention to retire, stating, “After more than six decades in television, I will be doing my last show tomorrow here in Los Angeles. I started at the PBS station in Austin at the University of Texas campus in 1963, and I turned 85 last week. Man it feels like time has just flown by.”
Mischer’s extensive portfolio includes overseeing 15 Emmy Awards ceremonies, numerous Oscars, several Kennedy Center Honors, the People’s Choice Awards, and significant memorial events such as the annual 9/11 memorial in New York. He was also the mind behind the opening ceremonies of both the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 2002 Winter Olympics, capturing moments that have become part of television lore.
He played a pivotal role in immortalizing some of pop culture’s iconic television moments, including Michael Jackson’s legendary moonwalk, Prince’s memorable Super Bowl rendition of “Purple Rain,” and Meryl Streep’s return to Oscar glory after nearly three decades.
In an interview with TheWrap’s Steve Pond for DGA Quarterly in 2013, Mischer emphasized the unique challenges of directing the Academy Awards, noting the immense pressure of audience anticipation, stating, “Directing it always feels like a great responsibility. You’re sitting there with a live event, making choices that affect how people will interpret the show.” He likened the process to “playing Russian roulette with two bullets in the chamber,” underscoring the high-stakes nature of live television.
Mischer traced his passion for directing back to his teenage years. He recalled, “In junior high school I had fantasies of being a television cameraman. I would dream that someday maybe I would be able to run camera on a show that would be broadcast nationally.” A significant early gift from his father, an 8 mm Bell & Howell camera, sparked his enthusiasm, leading him to create films and closely observe television production at events.
After attending the University of Texas at Austin, where he majored in sociology and minored in political science, Mischer considered pursuing a doctorate. However, his path changed when he learned about grants offered by the Ford Foundation for academics interested in working in television, which he successfully applied for. This pivotal opportunity connected him with news teams in Austin shortly after the assassination of President Kennedy, solidifying his belief in the media’s power.
His career continued to flourish in Washington D.C. where he produced political documentaries and became involved in significant projects for PBS and late-night television. Mischer’s accomplishments garnered numerous accolades, including 15 Emmy Awards, the DGA Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2012 Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television.
Mischer was born on March 5, 1940, in San Antonio, Texas. He completed his education at Douglas MacArthur High School before enrolling at the University of Texas. He is survived by his wife Suzan, their children, and two grandchildren.
This significant news was first reported by Deadline.
Source
www.thewrap.com