Biography
David Howard Susskind (December 19, 1920 – February 22, 1987) was an American producer of TV, movies, and stage plays and also a TV talk show host. His talk shows were innovative in the genre and addressed timely, controversial topics beyond the scope of others of the day. His first job after the war was as a press agent for Warner Brothers. Next, he was a talent agent for Century Artists, ultimately ending up in the Music Corporation of America's newly minted television programming department, managing Dinah Shore, Jerry Lewis, and others. In New York, Susskind formed Talent Associates, representing creators of material rather than performers. In 1954, Susskind became a producer of the NBC legal drama Justice, based on case files of the Legal Aid Society of New York. His program Open End began in 1958 on New York City's commercial independent station WNTA-TV and was so titled because the program continued until Susskind or his guests were too tired to continue. In 1961, Open End was constrained to two hours and went into national syndication. The show was retitled The David Susskind Show for its telecast on Sunday night, October 2, 1966. In the 1960s it was the first nationally…
Movies & TV Shows
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Saturday Night Live (1975) — Self (uncredited)
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A Raisin in the Sun (1961) — On-screen Trailer Narrator (uncredited)
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The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) — Self
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Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962) — Self - Trailor Narrator (uncredited)
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What's My Line? (1950) — Self - Panelist
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Simon (1980) — Himself
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The Dick Cavett Show (1968) — Self - Guest
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The Trials of Muhammad Ali (2013) — Self (archive footage)
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The Merv Griffin Show (1962) — Self
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The Mike Douglas Show (1961) — Self
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Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine (1962) — Cameo
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The David Susskind Show (1959) — Self - Host
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Fear on Trial (1975) — Self
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The David Susskind Show: Give 'em Hell Harry (2012) — Self
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David Susskind Archive: Interview With Dr. Martin Luther King Jr (1963) — himself
- David Susskind Archive: Truman Capote Tells All
- The Carol Lawrence Show (1970) — Self
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The Phil Donahue Show (1967) — Self
Directed
- David Susskind Archive: Truman Capote Tells All — Director
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David Susskind Archive: Interview With Dr. Martin Luther King Jr (1963) — Director
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David Susskind Archive: Gay Rights Pro and Con — Director
- Howard Hughes: the Watergate Connection (1973) — Director
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David Susskind Archive: I Was a Hitman for the Mafia (2020) — Director