David Dortort (born David Solomon Katz; October 23, 1916 – September 5, 2010) was a Hollywood screenwriter and producer, widely known for his role as producer in two successful NBC television series: ''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 12, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 431 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running Western, the second-longest-running Western series on ...

'' (1959–73) and '' The High Chaparral'' (1967–71). Dortort's focus shifted in the late 1960s to the newer series, leaving the production of ''Bonanza'' largely to his associates during its last five and a half years (1967–1973). From 1954–55, Dortort was involved in directing and writing for '' The Public Defender''. He produced '' The Restless Gun'' (1957–59), ''The Cowboys'' television version (1974), and a prequel series featuring younger versions of the ''Bonanza'' characters called '' Ponderosa'' (2001), which was produced with Beth Sullivan. In 1979–1980, he created the 13-week CBS

miniseries In the United States, a miniseries or mini-series is a television show or series that tells a story in a predetermined, limited number of episodes. Many miniseries can also be referred to, and shown, as a television film. " Limited series" is ...

, '' The Chisholms''. Michael Landon appeared in a supporting role in the pilot for ''The Restless Gun'', starring John Payne, aired on March 19, 1957, as an episode of ''The Schlitz Playhouse of Stars'' and Dan Blocker played multiple roles in five episodes of ''The Restless Gun''. Alan W. Livingston of NBC hired Dortort to write the screenplay for the pilot episode of ''Bonanza''. He did it at night, while producing ''The Restless Gun'' by day. In 2001, the alumni association of

City College of New York The City College of the City University of New York (also known as the City College of New York, or simply City College or CCNY) is a Public university, public research university within the City University of New York (CUNY) system in New York ...

, where he had studied

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, honored him with its John H. Finley award.

Personal life

A native of

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, Dortort was married for 67 years to the former Rose Seldin, who died September 30, 2007, at age 92. They had two children, Wendy Dortort Czarnecki and Fred Dortort.

Death

Dortort died in his sleep at his home in

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, on September 5, 2010, a month and a half before his 94th birthday, following a history of heart disease.

Writings

Dortort published two books, ''Burial of the Fruit'' in 1947 and ''The Post of Honor'' in 1949.

Filmography

Films

Television

References

External links

* * 1916 births 2010 deaths American television writers American male television writers American television show creators Bonanza Television producers from California Screenwriters from New York City Screenwriters from Los Angeles City College of New York alumni NBCUniversal people Television producers from New York City {{US-tv-producer-stub