Albert J. Kallis

1925 - 2024 Albert James Kallis was born November 17th, 1925, in Kansas City, Missouri and died on July 8th, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. Married to Trudy Drucker Kallis for 69 years, he was father to three children, and affectionately known as 'Papa Al' to seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren and countless friends, family and loved ones.
As a child, Albert moved to New York City when his father took a job as art director for Paramount Pictures. His early years were spent with his brother Stan in the Washington Heights neighborhood, before moving to Great Neck, Long Island, where he graduated high school and enlisted in the Army Air Core. Trained as a radio operator, he served as a member of the military occupying force in Japan.
Under the GI Bill, Albert studied at the Art Center School in Los Angeles, and became a commercial artist. Al's career was storied. He was a prominent artist for records, film and television. His advertising campaigns for American International Pictures helped propel the studio's success in the 1960s and 1970s, including iconic posters for cult films like Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman and Beach Blanket Bingo.
Before that success, Albert met Trudy; while she was on a date with his friend, Arnold. When he went to the restroom Al informed Trudy they were going to get married! He gave her a month to break the news to Arnold. Trudy said it was the best line she had ever heard, but still made him wait a year. When Trudy's mother asked, "Of all your many handsome and successful suitors, why in the world did you pick Al
" She confidently explained, "I know that with Al as my partner I will never be bored!" And for 7 decades, she wasn't.
During the Korean War, the Department of Defense approached Al and Trudy, both accomplished artists and members of the Society of Illustrators, to participate in a goodwill tour by going into combat zones to paint portraits of servicemen that would be sent home to loved ones, to strengthen morale. It was the first of their many adventures.
In 1957, Al and Trudy took another daring gamble. Their close friends Al and Jerry Lapin approached them with the idea of opening a restaurant. To finance the venture, they all had to personally guarantee the loans. But, if the venture failed, it would bankrupt them. The night a pregnant Trudy was rolled into the delivery room, she came up with the name: The International House of Pancakes. IHOP was an instant success and remains an iconic part of the American cultural landscape. Honored at the 50th Anniversary of IHOP, Al and Trudy were deeply moved when former employees and franchisees, including minorities and immigrants, credited IHOP for enabling them to realize their American dream.
Albert pursued many avocations during his lifetime. He wrote plays, short stories, and published his memoire. Al even co-wrote a musical, The Sandman, which Debbie Reynolds wanted to produce on Broadway and Walt Disney nearly made into a feature film. Later in life, Al and Trudy turned their talents to making award winning documentaries. He was the cameraman; she was sound engineer.
Al and Trudy were active in numerous social causes. They opposed the Vietnam War and helped pay for Daniel Ellsberg's legal defense when he was charged for releasing the Pentagon Papers. Al's activism earned him a spot on Nixon's enemies list, which he carried as a badge of honor. The broad array of philanthropic causes they supported included the American Film Institute, The Young Musicians Foundation, Children's Charity Variety Club, and The Los Angeles Children's Museum.
Albert J. Kallis enjoyed an incredible life journey for nearly a century. He partook eagerly in the banquet of experiences this world offers with passion and joy. Both Al and his life partner Trudy will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives they shared and enriched.