Cause of death Heart failure Spouse Cluny Komack (m. ?–1997) Nationality American Children Jonathon Komack Martin | Name James Komack Albums Inside Me Role Television producer | |
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Born August 3, 1924 ( 1924-08-03 ) New York City, New York, U.S. Occupation Television producer, director, writer, actor Died December 24, 1997, Los Angeles, California, United States Movies and TV shows Porky's Revenge!, The Courtship of Eddie's, Chico and the Man, A Hole in the Head, Damn Yankees Similar People Wyatt Knight, Dan Monahan, Tony Ganios, Mark Herrier, Kristina Holland | ||
LENORE O'MALLEY "IS IT BECAUSE OF LOVE" (From NBC TV Show "Me & Maxx 1980)
James Komack (August 3, 1924 – December 24, 1997) was an American television producer, director, writer and actor.
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Career
Komack performed in both the film and the original Broadway cast of the musical Damn Yankees. In both productions, he played the role of a baseball player performing the song "(You Gotta Have) Heart". Komack also appeared in Frank Capra's film A Hole in the Head as Julius Manetta, the inept son of Mario (Edward G. Robinson) and Sophie (Thelma Ritter).
Early in his career, Komack worked as a stand-up comedian and was cast in sixteen episodes as United States Navy dentist Harvey Spencer Blair III, in the CBS military sitcom/drama, Hennesey, starring Jackie Cooper and Abby Dalton. Komack made a record album of his comedy routine, James Komack at the Waldorf. He also recorded a music album on RCA Victor in 1957 titled Inside Me, under the orchestra direction of Dennis Farnon.
In December 1960, Komack appeared as Dr. Franklin in the episode "Emergency" of the CBS anthology series, The DuPont Show with June Allyson; his co-stars were Robert F. Simon and Robert Vaughn.
Komack was the guiding force behind several television hits. In The Courtship of Eddie's Father, he appeared as "Uncle Norman" Tinker. He appeared in and created Me and Maxx, whose title character was inspired by and named after his daughter. He also appeared in Get Smart, created Chico and the Man and helped produce Welcome Back, Kotter. Komack is credited with discovering and launching the careers of John Travolta and Freddie Prinze. He was director of the Star Trek: The Original Series episode "A Piece of the Action".
Komack was the creator and executive producer of the short-lived 1978 CBS situation comedy Another Day.
Personal life
Komack died Christmas Eve 1997 of heart failure.