Gene Reynolds

Gene Reynolds made his debut as a child actor in the treasured "Our Gang" shorts. With appearances in such movies and television shows as "Whirlybirds," "I Love Lucy," and "Love Finds Andy Hardy" throughout his teens and 20s, Reynolds seemed to be on a clear path to continued onscreen stardom. However, when a successful 1957 rendezvous with TV producers Jack Gruber and James Brooks afforded Reynolds the opportunity to co-create the adventurous Western series "Tales of Wells Fargo," he realized his true passion lay behind the camera. Reynolds quit acting altogether and went on to direct numerous episodes of the archetypal family sitcom "Leave it to Beaver," the ghoulishly funny "The Munsters," and the unlikely historical twosome of "F Troop" and "Hogan's Heroes." As the '70s rolled in, Reynolds became involved with the hugely venerated "M.A.S.H." The seasoned writer-producer helmed dozens of episodes of the much-watched Korean-War medical dramedy, demonstrating a true knack for cultivating ensembles that connect with audiences. Reynolds held office as president of the Directors Guild of America for four years in the mid-'90s. He retired from the business in 1999, but not before putting a few final directorial stamps on such popular series as "Lois and Clark" and "Touched by an Angel." Gene Reynolds died of heart failure in Burbank, California on February 3, 2020. He was 96