Merv Adelson
American TV producer (1929–2015)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mervyn Lee Adelson (October 23, 1929 – September 8, 2015) was an American real estate developer and television producer who co-founded Lorimar Television.
October 23, 1929
- real estate developer
- television producer
Merv Adelson | |
|---|---|
Adelson in 1985 | |
| Born | Mervyn Lee Adelson October 23, 1929 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | September 8, 2015 (aged 85) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1950–2015 |
| Known for | Co-founder of Lorimar Television |
| Spouses | Lori Kaufman (divorced)Gail Kenaston (divorced)
(m. 1986; div. 1992)Thea Nesis (divorced) |
| Children | 5, including Andrew and Gary |
Early life
Career
In the 1950s Adelson established himself in Las Vegas where he first met Irwin Molasky and Moe Dalitz.[3] The trio were responsible for building the Las Vegas Country Club as well as what became Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.[3] Molasky and Adelson later opened Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in 1965. Adelson soon left the real estate industry and co-founded Lorimar Television with Molasky and Lee Rich in 1969.[4][5]
Personal life and death
Adelson was married and subsequently divorced four times. His first wife was Lori Kaufman with whom he had a daughter and two sons:[6] Ellen Adelson Ross, Andrew Adelson, and Gary Adelson.[7] His second wife was Gail Kenaston,[6] adopted daughter of silent film star Billie Dove.[8] His third wife was the television journalist Barbara Walters to whom he was married from 1986 to 1992. They met on a blind date in 1984.[9][2][10] His fourth wife was Thea Nesis[6] with whom he had adopted two daughters, Lexi and Ava Nesis.[7] All his marriages ended in divorce.[6]
Adelson died in Los Angeles, on September 8, 2015, from cancer, aged 85.[4]