David L. Wolper
David L. Wolper was an American film and television producer and director, born in New York City on January 11, 1928, and active across several decades of the entertainment industry.
Wolper grew up in New York, attending PS 6 and Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School before heading west to study at the University of Southern California. His career took him deep into both film and television production, and he also worked as a director across both mediums. Among his television credits, he was responsible for the production of The Thorn Birds. Alongside his work in entertainment, he pursued a separate passion as an art collector.
Wolper received a number of honors over the course of his career. He was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which is presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He also received the Golden Plate Award, the International Emmy Founders Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He died in Beverly Hills on August 10, 2010. His work spanned both film and television production, with the latter remaining a consistent thread throughout his professional life.
Quotes by David L. Wolper
I make the money, and I don't have to take the abuse some of the stars do, opening up their personal life. I can go into a restaurant, sit down, and have a nice meal without being harassed. Arnold Schwarzenegger can't do that.
You have to say, 'We think it's going to work. Let's go with it.' Either you're going to kill the world, or you're going to fall on your rear end.
My philosophy as a filmmaker is to inform and entertain at the same time. And when I went away from documentaries into miniseries like 'Roots,' I did the reverse. Instead of just entertaining, I want to inform at the same time.
I couldn't get my first film on the air. The first film I did was called 'The Race For Space,' about the U.S.-Soviet space race. The networks had a policy that I found out about the hard way. I even had a sponsor for my program, but the networks wouldn't put it on because it was independently produced.
I believe that religion and politics should not mix. Both should be a part of somebody's life - but not together.
I don't fall in love with inanimate objects. I don't bond with them. I only fall in love with people.
If people perceive 'Roots' to be a black history show, nobody is going to watch it.
I liked the clear morality of 1941, when you had no doubt about good and evil. There was a lot of idealism, people fighting for a cause. People are searching for morality today.