Eugene Blau

Born to Hungarian/Russian parents in Chicago, Illinois, he showed dramatic talent from an early age. By 10 years old, he was an accomplished violinist. He had a love of music all his life, directing opera, and becoming a cantor later in life. In the early 60's, he formed a comedy theater Review in Cleveland together with Avery Schreiber called "The Party". Blau was extremely active in Los Angeles theater in the 1960's, producing, directing and acting in dynamic new productions of John Dos Passos, Tennessee Williams, Eugène Ionesco and Samuel Beckett, always to brilliant reviews. Emigrating to Israel, Blau acted in and co-wrote the legendary television shows The Adventures of Scooterman (1972) and The Amazing World of Dr. Halfbaked (1972). The shows were pioneers in early Israeli educational television, and are still loved and remembered by more than one generation of Israelis who grew up learning English with them. The shows also featured a very young Gary David Goldberg, who went on to produce Family Ties (1982) and Spin City (1996). Blau passed away in New York City on April 12, 1979, survived by his wife Lois, and their son and daughter.