Herbert F. Solow

Studio head and producer Herbert Solow (pronounced "Solo") was an unsung creative force behind several of television's most beloved series throughout the 1960s and 1970s. From his humble beginnings in the William Morris Agency mailroom, Solow quickly rose through the ranks of network television and later became the head of programming at Lucille Ball's Desilu Studios. His first program was the enduring cultural phenomenon "Star Trek" (NBC, 1966-69), developed with series creator Gene Rodenberry. In addition to the iconic sci-fi show, Solow oversaw such Sixties staples as "Mission: Impossible (CBS, 1966-1973) and "Mannix" (CBS, 1967-1975) before moving on to MGM Studios, where he shepherded programs like "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," (ABC, 1969-1972) and "Then Came Bronson" (NBC, 1969-1970). As the head of MGM's film division he also had a hand in such significant films as David Lean's "Ryan's Daughter" (1970), the Clint Eastwood wartime adventure "Kelly's Heroes" (1970), and the rock documentary "Elvis: That's Just the Way It Is" (1970). Under his own producer's shingle, Solow created television films like the horror-fantasy "Killdozer" (ABC, 1974) and the -fi series "Man from Atlantis," (CBS, 1977-78). Other feature film efforts as a producer included the grim drama "Brimstone & Treacle" (1982) before Solow eventually retired from show business and later co-wrote the professional memoir Inside Star Trek: The Real Story. Though far from a household name, Solow was a fanboy favorite and one of the more influential and successful personalities in Hollywood during the peak of his career.