Marty Callner, director of dozens of classic MTV-era music videos as well as numerous comedy specials and creator of HBO‘s Hard Knocks, has peacefully passed away at his home in Malibu. He died on March 17 of natural causes and surrounded by loved ones, according to his son, Jazz. He was 78.
Callner is a 12-time Emmy nominee and two-time CableACE Award winner. He has also been nominated for three DGA Awards and one MTV Music Video Award.
His career as a director of music videos started with Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Going to Take it,” followed by Pat Benatar’s “We Belong,” both of which saw near-constant play on MTV in their heyday.
What followed were hundreds more, including Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time,” a slew of Aerosmith hits including “Cryin’,” “Crazy”, “Amazing,” “Livin’ on the Edge,” “Sweet Emotion,” “Dude Looks Like A Lady” and “Love in an Elevator.” Others of note include Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again,” Poison’s “Every Rose Has a Thorn” and Stevie Knicks’ “Stand Back.” He also worked with Bon Jovi, Britney Spears, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, Patti LaBelle, Diana Ross, Kiss, Scorpions, The Bangles and ZZ Top.
In the late ’70s, Callner directed a number of HBO’s On Location featuring the likes of Redd Foxx, George Carlin, Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Norm Crosby, Shelley Berman, Robert Klein and David Steinberg.
He later teamed with Mitzi Shore and The Comedy Store to discover up-and-coming comedic talent for HBO’s Young Comedians shows. These included the likes of Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Jerry Seinfeld, Howie Mandel, Mike Binder, Jim Carrey and more.
That led to a string of TV specials, including a comedy special featuring an adult version of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse shot at the Roxy. There followed directing gigs on projects for Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Dane Cook, George Lopez and, ost recently, Whitney Cummings.
National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson said in a statement to Deadline, “Marty Callner was a visionary director whose work shaped the landscape of comedy for generations. From his iconic HBO specials with Robin Williams, George Carlin, Robert Klein, Billy Crystal, Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld to his groundbreaking concert films, he brought stand-up comedy to life in a way that was both intimate and unforgettable. We honor his extraordinary legacy and the joy he brought to audiences everywhere.”
Also at HBO, Callner and his production company Cream Cheese Films and his longtime producing partner Randall Gladstein produced mega live music specials and concerts such as Garth Books’ Live from Central Park, Whitney Houston: Concert for A New South Africa, Britney Spears’ Live from Las Vegas, The Rolling Stones Live from MSG and Mark Anthony live from MSG.
Additionally, Callner is the sole creator HBO’s long-running landmark show Hard Knocks, which as been called “the first sports-based reality series.”
Callner is survived by his wife Aleeza, his children and his many grandchildren.
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