Burt Prelutsky

Burt Prelutsky (January 5, 1940 – December 17, 2021) was an American screenwriter, newspaper columnist, and author.

Burt Prelutsky
Born(1940-01-05)January 5, 1940
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedDecember 17, 2021(2021-12-17) (aged 81)
North Hills, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Years active1963–2018

Early life and career

A graduate of Fairfax High School,[1] Prelutsky was a film critic for Los Angeles Magazine from 1961 to 1971, writing acerbic reviews that gained him a reputation as "the fastest barb in the west." He also wrote a weekly column for the Los Angeles Times' magazine, West.[2]

In the late 1960s he wrote several episodes of the Dragnet TV series.[3]

He wrote eight episodes of the M*A*S*H TV series during seasons four, five, and six, including The Novocaine Mutiny,[4]: p.190  The General's Practitioner,[4]: p.198  The Grim Reaper[4]: p.203  and Quo Vadis, Captain Chandler?[4]: p.186 

In 2000 Prelutsky was one of the earliest plaintiffs to sign on to a class action lawsuit brought against television talent agencies, networks and production studios accused of discrimination against older writers. The suit was settled in 2010 for $70 million.[5]

Awards and recognition

In 1985 Prelutsky won a Writers Guild of America Award in the original comedy anthology category for the 1983 TV movie Hobson's Choice.[6] He was nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award in 1982 under the category "Best Television Feature or Miniseries" for his work on the 1981 television movie A Small Killing, and in 1976 was nominated for a Humanitas Prize in the category "30 Minute Network or Syndicated Television" for his work on the Quo Vadis 1975 episode of the television program M*A*S*H.[7]

He received a Christopher Award in 1987 for A Winner Never Quits, a TV movie that was broadcast on CBS in 1986.[8]

Personal life and death

Prelutsky died on December 17, 2021, at the age of 81.[9]

References
  1. Prelutsky, Burt (October 6, 1974). "How to Stay Popular Even Though Well-Liked". The Los Angeles Times Calendar. p. 25. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  2. "Hollywood Rejoices, As Prelutsky Retires". Playground Daily News. Fort Walton Beach, Fl. Associated Press. 22 January 1971. p. 11. Retrieved 10 July 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Burt Prelutsky (14 September 2008). "Just The Facts, Ma'am (classic)". Burt Prelutsky.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-20. (archived)
  4. James H. Wittebols (1 January 2003). Watching M*A*S*H, Watching America: A Social History of the 1972-1983 Television Series. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-1701-8.
  5. Paul Bond (22 January 2010). "Settlement reached in TV discrimination cases". The Hollywood Reporter.
  6. London, Michael (22 March 1985). "Robinson, Allen Share Writers Guild Award". Los Angeles Times. pp. H14.
  7. "Burt Prelutsky". IMDb.
  8. "Programing: Christopher winners named". Broadcasting. 112 (11): 67. 16 March 1987.
  9. "Burton Prelutsky". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
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