Hugh Wilson

Photo of Hugh Wilson

Biography

There he met Jay Tarses and Tom Patchett, two aspiring stand-up comedians who would later give him his first break in show business. Soon after they left to follow their dream, Wilson returned to the South and began as a copywriter at the Atlanta-based advertising agency Burton-Campbell. Over the next ten years, he worked his way up to creative director and finally president of the company, producing and directing TV commercials. While he was …
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Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Construction

Born

August 21, 1943

Career Milestones

2002

Directed the family friendly "Mickey", scripted by John Grisham

1999

Gave a polish to the script and helmed "Dudley Do-Right", starring Fraser as the simpleminded titular Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman, Sarah Jessica Parker as Nell and Alfred Molina as his nemesis Snidely Whiplash; characters based on the animated characters created by Jay Ward from "The Bullwinkle Show"

1999

Co-wrote, produced and directed "Blast from the Past", starring Brendan Fraser

1998

Produced John Shea's "Southie"

1997

Co-wrote (with its director John Milius) TNT miniseries "Rough Riders", starring Berenger as Teddy Roosevelt

1996

Directed hit film "The First Wives' Club", adapted from Olivia Goldsmith's novel

1994

Co-scripted and helmed "Guarding Tess", starring Nicolas Cage and Shirley MacLaine; also provided Voice of President

1991

Helmed the pilot for "The New WKRP in Cincinnati" (syndicated)

1988

Acted the role of D. Wayne Thomas on the Jan. 18 episode of "Frank's Place"

Created and executive produced the acclaimed CBS series "Frank's Place"; also wrote and directed the premiere episode

1987

Played a small role ('Customer at Mayday') in the feature "Burglar", which he also wrote and directed

1985

Parodied the Western genre in lackluster "Rustler's Rhapsody", starring Tom Berenger

1984

Made feature directing debut with "Police Academy", agreeing to write the film on condition he be allowed to direct it

1983

First feature film work, writing the screenplay for "Stroker Ace"

Created the CBS sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati", for which he also wrote, executive produced and directed

First directed and produced for TV with the ABC sitcom "The Tony Randall Show" (CBS for second season); also wrote for series

1976

Apprentice director, MTM Enterprises

Worked as a writer on the popular CBS sitcom "The Bob Newhart Show" in the mid-1970s

1966

Worked his way up from copywriter to president of Burton-Campbell Advertising

1965

Met future co-workers Jay Tarses and Tom Patchett while working as a shipping clerk at the Armstrong Cork Company, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Awards

1990

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing In a Comedy Series in The Famous Teddy Z

1990

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing In a Comedy Series in The Famous Teddy Z

1988

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in Frank's Place

1988

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing In a Comedy Series in Frank's Place

1982

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in WKRP in Cincinnati

1981

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in WKRP in Cincinnati

1980

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in WKRP in Cincinnati