Gene Persson
Gene Persson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Eugene Clair Persson January 12, 1934 Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Died | June 6, 2008 (aged 74) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, producer |
| Years active | 1946–1961 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3; including Kaitlin Hopkins |
Eugene Clair "Gene" Persson (January 12, 1934 – June 6, 2008) was an American actor, theatrical and film producer,
Early life and career
Gene Persson was born in
Producer
Persson married actress
On screen, Persson produced Dutchman with Anthony Harvey, who was a first time director at the time of production.[1] The film, which starred Shirley Knight and Al Freeman Jr., is still screened at film festivals and museums today, according to Variety.
Knight and Persson later divorced in 1969, but remained lifelong personal and professional friends.[1] Their daughter was raised by Knight's second husband, the English writer John Hopkins.
Persson moved to London in 1969.[1] There he produced a total of five plays for British playwright Peter Barnes, including The Ruling Class.[1] He later collaborated with Tennessee Williams during the 1970s to produce the British revival of The Glass Menagerie as well as The Red Devil Battery Sign, both of which were produced in the United Kingdom.[1] Persson and Williams also teamed up to bring An Evening with Tennessee Williams and This Is to San Francisco.[1]
In 1972 he married Ruby Persson and they had two sons: Lukas and Markus.
Charlie Brown productions
Persson and Arthur Whitelaw co-produced and co-created You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown in 1967.[1] The musical was based on the Peanuts characters created by cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. The book in which they and their creative team adapted the musical was by John Gordon, which was a pseudonym.[1] According to Variety, Persson's musical "has gone on to be one of the most produced musicals ever."[1] Persson later returned as the producer of the 1999 Broadway revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.[1] The show earned two Tony Awards in 1999.
Persson also produced the 1973 television special of the original musical,
Persson was working on a musical stage version of the 1965 television holiday classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas, at the time of his death in 2008.[1]
Death
Gene Persson died of a heart attack in Manhattan on June 6, 2008, at the age of 74.[1] He was survived by his wife of 36 years, actress and artist Ruby Persson, and his three children, Kaitlin Hopkins, an actress; Lukas Persson, a filmmaker and writer; and Markus Persson, a musician.[1]
References
External links
- Eugene Persson at IMDb
- Gene Persson at the Internet Broadway Database
- UPI: Theater producer Persson dead at 74
- Gene Persson, Producer of Dutchman and Charlie Brown, Dies at 74
- New York Times: Gene Persson, Film and Theater Producer, Dies at 74
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