Lorimar Productions

Lorimar Productions was a prominent American television and film production company, founded in 1968 by Irwin Molasky, Merv Adelson, and Lee Rich. The company was known for producing popular television shows such as The Waltons, Dallas, and Knots Landing, in association with CBS Television Studios and NBCUniversal. Lorimar Productions also collaborated with other notable production companies, including Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and 20th Century Studios. The company's productions often featured renowned actors, such as Tom Selleck, Linda Gray, and Larry Hagman, and were frequently broadcast on major networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC.

● History

Lorimar Productions was established in 1968, with its first production being the television series The Waltons, which premiered on CBS in 1972 and ran for nine seasons, earning numerous awards, including Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. The company's early success was followed by the production of other popular shows, such as Dallas, which aired on CBS from 1978 to 1991 and became a global phenomenon, with Larry Hagman and Linda Gray starring in the series. Lorimar Productions also produced films, including The Blue Lagoon and Annie, in collaboration with Columbia Pictures and Paramount Pictures. The company's productions often featured notable directors, such as Peter Bogdanovich and John Huston, and were frequently released in theaters owned by AMC Theatres and Regal Cinemas.

● Filmography

Lorimar Productions' filmography includes a range of notable films, such as The Blue Lagoon, Annie, and Sylvester, which starred Melissa Gilbert and was released by Columbia Pictures. The company also produced The Jazz Singer, starring Neil Diamond and Laurence Olivier, in association with Warner Bros. Pictures and Associated Artists Productions. Other notable films produced by Lorimar include Tin Cup, starring Kevin Costner and Rene Russo, and My Fellow Americans, starring Jack Lemmon and James Garner, which was released by Warner Bros. Pictures and Castle Rock Entertainment. Lorimar Productions' films often premiered at film festivals, such as the Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, and were frequently distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and Universal Pictures.

● Television Shows

Lorimar Productions produced a wide range of popular television shows, including The Waltons, Dallas, and Knots Landing, which aired on CBS and NBC. The company also produced Falcon Crest, starring Jane Wyman and Robert Foxworth, and Knots Landing, which aired on CBS from 1979 to 1993. Other notable television shows produced by Lorimar include Perfect Strangers, starring Bronson Pinchot and Mark Linn-Baker, and Family Matters, which aired on ABC and CBS. Lorimar Productions' television shows often featured guest stars, such as Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, and Doris Day, and were frequently broadcast on major networks like NBC, ABC, and CBS.

● Notable People

Lorimar Productions was led by its founders, Irwin Molasky, Merv Adelson, and Lee Rich, who played a significant role in shaping the company's production slate. The company also employed notable producers, such as Leonard Goldberg and Aaron Spelling, who worked on shows like Charlie's Angels and The Love Boat. Lorimar Productions' productions often featured renowned actors, such as Tom Selleck, Linda Gray, and Larry Hagman, who starred in popular television shows like Magnum P.I. and Dallas. The company's productions also involved notable directors, such as Peter Bogdanovich and John Huston, who worked on films like The Last Picture Show and The African Queen.

● Merger and Legacy

In 1989, Lorimar Productions merged with Warner Communications to form Warner Bros. Television, which became a major player in the television production industry. The merger brought together the production capabilities of Lorimar with the distribution and marketing resources of Warner Bros. Pictures and Warner Bros. Television Studios. The legacy of Lorimar Productions can be seen in the many popular television shows and films it produced, which continue to be broadcast and distributed by major networks and studios, including CBS Television Studios, NBCUniversal, and Warner Bros. Pictures. The company's productions have also been recognized with numerous awards, including Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards, and have been inducted into the Television Hall of Fame and the Producers Guild of America. Today, the legacy of Lorimar Productions continues to be felt in the entertainment industry, with many of its productions remaining popular and influential, and its alumni going on to work on notable shows and films, such as The Sopranos, The West Wing, and The Dark Knight trilogy, which was released by Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures.