Merv Adelson

American TV producer (1929–2015)

Lori Kaufman

(divorced)

Gail Kenaston

(divorced)

Barbara Walters

(m. 1981; div. 1984)

(m. 1986; div. 1992)

Thea Nesis

(divorced)

Children5, including Andrew and Gary

Mervyn Lee Adelson (October 23, 1929 – September 8, 2015) was an American real estate developer and television producer who co-founded Lorimar Television.

Early life

Adelson was born to a Jewish family^[1] in Los Angeles on October 23, 1929 to Nathan and Pearl Adelson (née Swartz). His parents were the children of immigrants from Russia who had settled in Nebraska. When he was a child, he worked in a grocery store run by his family.^[2]

Career

In the 1950s Adelson established himself in Las Vegas where he first met Irwin Molasky and Moe Dalitz.^[3] The trio were responsible for building the Las Vegas Country Club as well as what became Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.^[3] Molasky and Adelson later opened Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in 1965. Adelson soon left the real estate industry and co-founded Lorimar Television with Molasky and Lee Rich in 1969.^[4]^[5]

Personal life and death

Adelson was married and subsequently divorced four times. His first wife was Lori Kaufman with whom he had a daughter and two sons:^[6] Ellen Adelson Ross, Andrew Adelson, and Gary Adelson.^[7] His second wife was Gail Kenaston,^[6] adopted daughter of silent film star Billie Dove.^[8] His third wife was the television journalist Barbara Walters to whom he was married from 1986 to 1992. They met on a blind date in 1984^[9].^[2]^[10] His fourth wife was Thea Nesis^[6] with whom he had adopted two daughters, Lexi and Ava Nesis.^[7] All his marriages ended in divorce.^[6]

Adelson died in Los Angeles, on September 8, 2015, from cancer. He was 85.^[4]

References

^ Marschall, John P. (February 1, 2008). Jews in Nevada: A History. University of Nevada Press. p. 180. ISBN 9780874177374.
^ ^a ^b Weber, Bruce (September 11, 2015). "Merv Adelson, Daring TV Producer, Dies at 85". New York Times. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
^ ^a ^b Ed Koch, Desert Inn, Stardust chief helped integrate Las Vegas Strip, Las Vegas Sun, September 1, 2008
^ ^a ^b "Lorimar Co-Founder and TV Mogul Merv Adelson Dies at 85". Variety. September 9, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
^ "How Lorimar, the Company Behind 'Dallas' and 'Falcon Crest,' Bred Hollywood's Ruling Executive Class". hollywoodreporter.com. 9 January 2014. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Merv Adelson, television producer - obituary". Daily Telegraph. September 13, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
^ ^a ^b Koch, Ed (September 11, 2015). "Las Vegas developer turned Hollywood mogul had his share of highs, lows". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
^ Los Angeles Times: "Gail Adelson; Hostess, Home Designer to the Stars" by Myrna Oliver February 22, 1999
^ Gostin, Nicki (2024-04-15). "Barbara Walters's career ambitions kept her from true love". Retrieved 2024-09-06.
^ Woo, Elaine (September 10, 2015). "Merv Adelson dies at 85; TV mogul and philanthropist". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 11, 2015.