David Dortort ( ; born David Solomon Katz; October 23, 1916 – September 5, 2010) was a Hollywood screenwriter and producer, widely known for his role as producer in two successful NBC television series: Bonanza (1959–73) and The High Chaparral (1967–71). Dortort's focus shifted in the late 1960s to the newer series, leaving the production of Bonanza largely to his associates during its last five and a half years (1967–1973).
From 1954–55, Dortort was involved in directing and writing for The Public Defender. He produced The Restless Gun (1957–59), The Cowboys television version (1974), and a prequel series featuring younger versions of the Bonanza characters called Ponderosa (2001), which was produced with Beth Sullivan. In 1979–1980, he created the 13-week CBS miniseries, The Chisholms. Michael Landon appeared in a supporting role in the pilot for The Restless Gun, starring John Payne, aired on March 19, 1957, as an episode of The Schlitz Playhouse of Stars and Dan Blocker played multiple roles in five episodes of The Restless Gun.
Alan W. Livingston of NBC hired Dortort to write the screenplay for the pilot episode of Bonanza. He did it at night, while producing The Restless Gun by day.
In 2001, the alumni association of City College of New York, where he had studied history, honored him with its John H. Finley award.
Personal life A native of New York City, Dortort was married for 67 years to the former Rose Seldin, who died September 30, 2007, at age 92. They had two children, Wendy Dortort Czarnecki and Fred Dortort.
Death Dortort died in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles, California, on September 5, 2010, a month and a half before his 94th birthday, following a history of heart disease.
Writings Dortort published two books, Burial of the Fruit in 1947 and The Post of Honor in 1949.
Filmography
Films Year Film Credit Notes 1952The Lusty MenScreenplay ByBased on the novel "King of the Cowpokes" by "Claude Stanush"1956A Cry in the NightScreenplay ByBased on the novel "All Through the Night" by "Whit Masterson"Reprisal!Screenplay By 1957The Big LandScreenplay ByBased on the novel "Buffalo Grass" by "Frank Gruber" 1958A Gift for HeidiScreenplay By 1987Going BananasExecutive Producer 1988Bonanza: The Next GenerationProduced ByTelevision Movie 1993Bonanza: The ReturnStory By, Executive ProducerTelevision Movie 1995Bonanza: Under AttackExecutive ProducerTelevision Movie
Television Year TV Series Credit Notes 1952Cavalcade of AmericaWriter2 episodes 1952–54Fireside TheatreWriter5 episodes 1953Racket SquadWriter1 Episode 1954Climax!Writer1 episode1954–55Public DefenderWriter3 episodesWaterfrontWriter8 episodes1955TV Reader's DigestWriter1 EpisodeThe 20th Century Fox HourWriter1 Episode1956Screen Directors PlayhouseWriter1 EpisodeLassieWriter1 Episode 1956–57Studio 57Writer2 episodes 1957Panic!Writer1 Episode 1957–59The Restless GunWriter, producer77 episodes 1959–73BonanzaWriter, Creator, Producer, Executive ProducerMultiple Episodes 1967–71The High ChaparralWriter, Creator, Producer, Executive ProducerMultiple Episodes 1974The CowboysProducer 1979–80The ChisholmsWriter, Creator, Executive Producer14 episodes 2001–02PonderosaProducer
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