Pacific Palisades resident William Idelson, a television comedy writer and an actor best known for his role in ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show,’ passed away on December 31, 2007. He was 88. Born on August 21, 1919 in Forest Park, Illinois, near Chicago, Idelson attended local schools before beginning his acting career in 1931 on Chicago’s WGN radio show, ‘Uncle Walt and Skeezix.’ One year later he was cast as Rush on the long-running serial radio show, ‘Vic and Sade.’ He remained on the show until he joined the Navy in 1943. Initially, Idelson was assigned to Navy public relations, but he wanted to fly, and the only way for him to do that was to take private flying lessons, which he did. Idelson flew night fighter missions over Japan and was awarded four Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Following the war, Idelson moved to Los Angeles. He met his wife, actress Seemah Idelson, in 1950 at the Actor’s Lab in Hollywood. The couple married in 1951 and lived in Laurel Canyon and Encino before moving to Rustic Canyon in 1964. Idelson landed his most notable role on ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ as Sally Rogers’ (Rose Marie) boyfriend Herman Glimcher. He also appeared in ‘Dragnet,’ ‘Perry Mason,’ ‘My Favorite Martian,’ ‘My Three Sons,’ ‘Happy Days’ and ‘Leave it to Beaver.’ A successful television writer, Idelson wrote for many series, including ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show,’ ‘The Twilight Zone,’ ‘The Odd Couple,’ ‘MASH,’ ‘Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C,’ ‘The Bob Newhart Show,’ ‘Happy Days,’ ‘Bewitched’ and ‘The Flinstones.’ He won the Writers Guild Award for best episodic comedy twice, once for an episode of ‘Get Smart’ and once for an episode of ‘The Andy Griffith Show.’ He also produced ‘The Bob Newhart Show,’ ‘Anna and the King’ and ‘Love, American Style,’ for which he shared an Emmy nomination in 1971 for outstanding comedy series. Idelson later taught a popular script-writing class at his home and is the author of three books, ‘Writing for Dough,’ ‘Bill Idelson’s Writing Class’ and most recently, ‘Gibby,’ an autobiographical novel about a World War II fighter pilot. An avid freshwater fisherman, Idelson enjoyed traveling to lakes and rivers in Mexico, Florida, Oregon (the Klamath) and nearly anywhere else where he could fish for bass, trout or salmon. Idelson also had an avid interest in photography, and was always taking pictures and buying new cameras. Even in the digital age, he developed his own photographs, while also teaching each of his four children the process. He also dabbled in painting. ‘He was always very busy, always doing something creative,’ his wife said. Idelson served as president of the Rustic Canyon Tennis Club several times and coached local youth baseball teams when his children were young. At one point, Idelson and his wife lived in London for a year with their four children. Later, in 2001, the children surprised their parents by taking them back to London for a week to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. ‘They visited their former neighbors and had a fabulous time,’ said their son, Paul. In addition to his wife of 56 years, Idelson is survived by his sons, Jonathan Idelson of Santa Monica, Paul Idelson of Westchester, and Howie Idelson of Pacific Palisades, and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Ellen, a TV writer and actress. A memorial service will be held on February 21 at 7 p.m. at the Writers Guild Theater, 135 South Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Writer’s Guild Foundation and/or the Strike Fund.
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