Biography
In the early 1960s, the Bridgeport, CT native founded his own production company and also became the owner and executive in charge of the Emmy-winning sports program "CBS Golf Classic" (1963-73). Curtis then moved into daytime TV as the creator of the drama serial "Dark Shadows" (1966-71). At its premiere, the show had a Gothic tone to it as it centered on an orphaned governess who goes to work for a wealthy family. Ratings were low and the …
Latest Tv Credits
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Career Milestones
2005 | Produced a pilot episode for a reboot of "Dark Shadows" (The WB) | |
2005 | Directed final two TV-movies, "Saving Milly" (CBS) and "Our Fathers" (Showtime) | |
2000 | In January, announced plans to co-author and co-direct a Broadway musical based on "Dark Shadows" with music by Robert Colbert and lyrics by Rupert Holmes | |
1998 | Helmed and produced "The Love Letter," a CBS "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentation | |
1996 | Executive produced, directed, and co-wrote (with William F. Nolan) two segments of the sequel "Trilogy of Terror II" (USA Network) | |
1993 | Last feature to date "Me and the Kid"; produced, scripted and directed | |
1992 | Directed and co-executive produced the CBS miniseries "Intruders," purportedly based on true cases of UFO abductions | |
1991 | Revived "Dark Shadows" (ABC) as a primetime serial; executive produced, wrote and directed miniseries version; executive produced and directed episodes of the short-lived series | |
1990 | Executive produced "Johnny Ryan" (NBC), a pilot for a drama series that was not picked up by the network | |
1988 | Directed and executive produced the 12-part sequel miniseries "War and Remembrance" (ABC) | |
1983 | Served as producer and director of the epic 18-hour ABC miniseries "The Winds of War," based on the book by Herman Wouk | |
1980 | Directed and executive produced the autobiographical "The Long Days of Summer" (ABC), a sequel to "When Every Day Was the Fourth of July" | |
1979 | Executive produced and directed episodes of the short-lived series "Supertrain" (NBC) | |
1978 | Provided story, directed and produced the autobiographical TV-movie "When Every Day Was the Fourth of July" (NBC) | |
1976 | Penned the screenplay adaptation, produced and directed "Burnt Offerings," starring Black and Bette Davis | |
1975 | Directed and produced the memorable thriller "Triology of Terror" (ABC); all three stories starred Karen Black | |
1974 | Produced and directed the CBS TV-remake of "Dracula," starring Palance | |
1974 | Directed and produced the ABC miniseries "The Turn of the Screw," starring Lynn Redgrave | |
1973 | Produced the ABC miniseries "Frankenstein" | |
1972 | Introduced the character of Carl Kolchak in the ABC TV-movie "The Night Stalker" | |
1971 | Provided the story for and produced and directed "Night of Dark Shadows", a second film loosely based on the TV show | |
1970 | Feature debut as producer and director "House of Dark Shadows," loosely based on the popular TV show | |
1968 | First primetime TV production, "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (ABC); starred Jack Palance | |
1966 | Created, directed, and executive produced the ABC daytime soap "Dark Shadows" | |
| Was owner and producer of the Emmy-winning sports program "CBS Golf Classic" | ||
1962 | Founded Dan Curtis Productions | |
| Was network television program sales representative at MCA | ||
1952 | Worked as head of sales in the film division of NBC | |
| Raised in Connecticut | ||
2012 | Feature adaptation of "Dark Shadows" released posthumously, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins | |
Awards
1989 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing In a Miniseries or a Special in War and Remembrance |
1989 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries in War and Remembrance |
1983 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing In a Limited Series or a Special in The Winds of War |
1983 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited Series in The Winds of War |