Barbara Avedon
American screenwriter (1925–1994)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Barbara Hammer Avedon (June 29, 1930 – August 31, 1994)[1] was an American television writer, political activist,[2] and feminist.[3] She founded the anti-war organization Another Mother for Peace.
Founder of Another Mother for Peace
Barbara Avedon | |
|---|---|
Barbara Hammer Avedon and a black cat | |
| Born | June 29, 1930 Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Died | August 31, 1994 (aged 64) |
| Occupation | Television writer |
| Known for | Creator of Cagney & Lacey with Barbara Corday Founder of Another Mother for Peace |
| Spouses | |
| Children | Joshua Avedon |
Biography
She was one of the writers for the television series Bewitched, and helped a group of Jefferson High School students write the episode "Sisters at Heart".[4] She also wrote for Executive Suite[5] and Fish, a 1977–78 spin-off from Barney Miller.[6] With Barbara Corday, Avedon created Cagney & Lacey, the world's first dramatic television series to place women in both of its starring roles.[7] They came up with the idea for this television series after having read Molly Haskell's book From Reverence to Rape which stated that there had never been a female buddy film.[8] Avedon and Corday initially intended Cagney & Lacey to be a film.[9] While they were writing the series together, Avedon was more experienced and proficient in screenwriting than Corday, and Avedon mentored Corday in this area throughout the series.[10] They were best friends for nearly a decade.[11]
Personal life
Avedon married three times. Her first husband was screenwriter Irwin Gielgud. Her second was television writer Phil Sharp.[12] Her third husband was oncologist Dr. Melvin Avedon; they had one child before the marriage was dissolved.[12] Her son Joshua is a co-founder of Jumpstart, a not-for-profit that focused on transforming the broader Jewish community through spirituality, learning, social activism, and culture. Joshua is also one of the founders of the Jewish congregation IKAR.[13]