Willie Stein
Encyclopedia
Willie Stein was an American television producer and songwriter.
In 1950, Stein and Milton DeLugg
cowrote the song "Orange Colored Sky
", which became a hit for Nat King Cole
, and later his daughter Natalie
.
Among his television productions were To Tell the Truth
, Sale of the Century
, Spin-Off, The $128,000 Question
and The David Letterman Show
, the NBC
daytime series. In 1979, he was the producer of Say Powww, TV's original interactive game show, directed by Sidney M. Cohen
in Los Angeles
. They later co-created Thrill of a Lifetime
, one of TV's first reality shows.
Together with veteran game show writer Nat Ligerman, Stein co-created and co-produced the Canadian comedy game The Joke's on Us
, which was hosted by Ligerman's longtime boss, Monty Hall
.
Willie Stein died at home on September 5, 2009, at the age of 92, of complications from stomach cancer
.
In 1950, Stein and Milton DeLugg
Milton DeLugg
Milton DeLugg is an American composer and arranger.-Biography:A talented accordionist, he appeared in short Soundies musicals and occasional movies . He quickly became a successful arranger and composer...
cowrote the song "Orange Colored Sky
Orange Colored Sky
"Orange Colored Sky" is a popular song, written by Milton DeLugg and Willie Stein and published in 1950.The best-known version of the song was recorded by Nat King Cole , but a number of other singers have recorded it, including Cole's daughter, Natalie.The recording by Nat King Cole was recorded...
", which became a hit for Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole
Nathaniel Adams Coles , known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres...
, and later his daughter Natalie
Natalie Cole
Natalie Maria Cole , is an American singer, songwriter and performer. The daughter of jazz legend Nat King Cole, Cole rode to musical success in the mid-1970s as an R&B artist with the hits "This Will Be ", "Inseparable" and "Our Love"...
.
Among his television productions were To Tell the Truth
To Tell the Truth
To Tell the Truth is an American television panel game show created by Bob Stewart and produced by Goodson-Todman Productions that has aired in various forms since 1956 both on networks and in syndication...
, Sale of the Century
Sale of the Century
Sale of the Century is a television game show format that has been screened in several countries in various incarnations since 1969. The show found its biggest success in Australia, where it aired weeknights from 1980 to 2001...
, Spin-Off, The $128,000 Question
The $128,000 Question
The $128,000 Question was an American game show which aired from 1976-1978 in weekly syndication. This revival of The $64,000 Question was produced by Cinelar and distributed by Viacom Enterprises....
and The David Letterman Show
The David Letterman Show
The David Letterman Show was a live morning NBC talk show hosted by David Letterman from June 23 to October 24, 1980. The show originally ran for 90 minutes, then 60 minutes from August 4 onward.-Background:...
, the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
daytime series. In 1979, he was the producer of Say Powww, TV's original interactive game show, directed by Sidney M. Cohen
Sidney M. Cohen
Sidney M. Cohen is a Canadian television director specializing in live multi-camera productions requiring minimal editing and is also a TV program creator.He was born in Montreal, Quebec and began his career with CFCF-TV and later CBC Television...
in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. They later co-created Thrill of a Lifetime
Thrill of a Lifetime
Thrill of a Lifetime was a television reality series created by Sidney M. Cohen and Willie Stein. It was telecast from 1981 to 1988 in Canada on the CTV network. Thrill of a Lifetime gave viewers the chance to live their dreams, with thrills ranging from daredevil adventures to the romantic...
, one of TV's first reality shows.
Together with veteran game show writer Nat Ligerman, Stein co-created and co-produced the Canadian comedy game The Joke's on Us
The Joke's on Us
The Joke's on Us is a Canadian game show that aired from 1983 to 1984. It was hosted by Monty Hall, joined by Sylvie Garant as assistant very early on in the run, with Sandy Hoyt as the show's announcer...
, which was hosted by Ligerman's longtime boss, Monty Hall
Monty Hall
Monte Halperin, OC, OM , better known by the stage name Monty Hall, is a Canadian-born MC, producer, actor, singer and sportscaster, best known as host of the television game show Let's Make a Deal.-Early life:...
.
Willie Stein died at home on September 5, 2009, at the age of 92, of complications from stomach cancer
Stomach cancer
Gastric cancer, commonly referred to as stomach cancer, can develop in any part of the stomach and may spread throughout the stomach and to other organs; particularly the esophagus, lungs, lymph nodes, and the liver...
.