Hy Averback

With many television credits under his belt, Hy Averback garnered a reputation as one of the industry's great directors. He also appeared in the PBS documentary "Jack Paar: As I Was Saying." He had a recurring role as Charlie Appleby on "I Love Lucy." In 1954, he produced the syndicated comedy show "Meet Corliss Archer." Averback launched his directing career with comedies like "Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?" (1968) starring Doris Day, the Peter Sellers film "I Love You, Alice B. Toklas" (1968) and "The Great Bank Robbery" (1969) starring Zero Mostel. He also appeared in "Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came?" (1970) with Brian Keith and Tony Curtis. In addition to directing, Averback appeared on the big screen as an actor in the Dick Powell crime picture "Cry Danger" (1951) and the biopic "The Benny Goodman Story" (1955) with Steve Allen. Averback was nominated for a Best Direction of a Single Program of a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award for "The Real McCoys" in 1959 as well as for an Outstanding Directing In a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award for "M*A*S*H" in 1975. In the seventies, Averback worked on "Columbo" (1971-78), "Big Eddie" (CBS, 1974-76) and "Karen" (ABC, 1974-75). He also appeared in "Popi" (CBS, 1975-76). Averback last appeared in "Mastergate" (Showtime, 1992-93). Averback was married to Dorothy Averback and had three children. Averback passed away in October 1997 at the age of 77.