Lee Rich

Former advertising executive who resigned as senior vice president of Benton & Bowles in 1965 to become a producer for Mirisch-Rich TV which created the series, "Rat Patrol and "Hey, Landlord" (1966-67). After returning to advertising at the Leo Burnett Agency, Rich left to form Lorimar Productions serving as executive producer on the company's successful series: "The Waltons" (CBS, 1972-81), "Eight is Enough" (ABC, 1977-81), "Dallas" (CBS, 1978-91), "Knots Landing" (CBS, 1979-91) as well as numerous TV movies including "The Homecoming" (his first of many projects with Waltons' creator Earl Hamner) and the Emmy-winning "Sybil" (NBC, 1976). President of Lorimar until 1986, he left to join MGM/UA Communications as chairman and CEO, resigning in 1988 to return to independent production. Rich's most successful recent producing venture has been the fairly standard but enjoyable vigorous Wesley Snipes actioner, "Passenger 57" (1992).