Anita W. Addison

Anita W. Addison was an American television producer, director and TV executive, who produced and directed several award-winning TV shows in the 1990s and early 2000s, prior to her untimely death at the age of 51 in 2004. Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, Addison was initially drawn to telling stories in newspapers, and started her professional career as a journalist. She toiled as a journalist for several years, prior to embarking on a career as a TV producer. Addison's first big break came in the late '80s when she was hired as the Vice President of Drama Development at the television and film production company, Lorimar. Addison held that executive position at Lorimar for a number of years, serving as the executive producer for the critically acclaimed drama "Sisters" (NBC, 1991-96). In addition to producing, Addison also turned her attention to television directing in the early 90s. In addition to directing Oprah Winfrey in the made-for-TV movie "There Are No Children Here" (ABC 1993), Addison directed a couple episodes of the primetime soap opera "Knots Landing" (CBS, 1979-1993) during this period, as well as episodes of "Quantum Leap" (NBC, 1989-1993) and "Homefront" (ABC, 1991-93). In 1995 Addison scored another major career break when she was hired as the Vice President of Drama Development at CBS. During her three-year tenure at CBS, Addison was instrumental in developing a number of shows, including "EZ Streets" (CBS 1996-97), a short-lived drama created by future Oscar winner Paul Haggis. After three years serving in the role as CBS's VP of Drama Development, Addison left the network to pursue her own directing and producing projects. In 1999 she helmed the Emmy-winning made-for-TV movie "Deep in My Heart" (Lifetime 1999) which starred Anne Bancroft. Her final directing/producing project was the TV movie "Copshop" (PBS 2004). The project was released in October of 2004, 10 months after Addison died unexpectedly in Manhattan at the age of 51. Upon the news of her death, Addison's old friend Paul Haggis dedicated his 2004 drama "Crash" to her memory. "Crash" would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.