Mervyn Lee Adelson (October 23, 1929 – September 8, 2015) was an American real estate developer and television producer who co-founded Lorimar Television.
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
editAdelson was born to a Jewish family[1] in Los Angeles on October 23, 1929 to Nathan and Pearl Adelson (née Swartz). His parents were the children of immigrants from Russia who had settled in Nebraska. When he was a child, he worked in a grocery store run by his family.[2]
Career
editIn 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
editAdelson 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. He was 85.[4]
References
edit- ^ Marschall, John P. (February 1, 2008). Jews in Nevada: A History. University of Nevada Press. p. 180. ISBN 9780874177374.
- ^ a b Weber, Bruce (September 11, 2015). "Merv Adelson, Daring TV Producer, Dies at 85". New York Times. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
- ^ a b Ed Koch, Desert Inn, Stardust chief helped integrate Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas Sun, September 1, 2008
- ^ a b "Lorimar Co-Founder and TV Mogul Merv Adelson Dies at 85". Variety. September 9, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
- ^ "How Lorimar, the Company Behind 'Dallas' and 'Falcon Crest,' Bred Hollywood's Ruling Executive Class". hollywoodreporter.com. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d "Merv Adelson, television producer - obituary". Daily Telegraph. September 13, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
- ^ a b Koch, Ed (September 11, 2015). "Las Vegas developer turned Hollywood mogul had his share of highs, lows". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
- ^ Los Angeles Times: "Gail Adelson; Hostess, Home Designer to the Stars" by Myrna Oliver February 22, 1999
- ^ Gostin, Nicki (2024-04-15). "Barbara Walters's career ambitions kept her from true love". Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ^ Woo, Elaine (September 10, 2015). "Merv Adelson dies at 85; TV mogul and philanthropist". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 11, 2015.