David Dortort

Dortort, David
October 23, 1916 - September 5, 2010
David Dortort, b. October 23, 1916, Brooklyn, NY. Left our lives peacefully at the age of 93. from declining cardiac sufficiency, on September 5, 2010.

Mr. Dortort was an acclaimed writer and television producer. He was one of the pioneers of color television series, starting with "Bonanza" in 1959. He was the first president of the Western Writers Guild of America (West) and a founding member and first president of the Producers Guild of America. Winner of several Emmy nominations, his works were known for stressing quality family relationships, social justice, respect for the land, and an atmosphere of quiet strength and regard for all mankind, at a time when so many other television series were grounded in conflict, violence, and family dysfunction. For its production values, and universal human themes, "Bonanza" continues to be appreciated and watched worldwide to this day.

Mr. Dortort's professional archive is now housed among featured exhibits at the Autry National Center of the American West in Los Angeles where it is accessible to the general public and a great resource for students of Western television entertainment.

David and Rose Dortort were also generous benefactors of the American Jewish University and Hillel at UCLA and have created innovative, educational programs at both institutions, as well as at David's alma mater, the City College of New York, where the Dortorts have established the David Dortort Lecture Series For The Dramatic Arts.

David is predeceased by Rose Seldin Dortort, cherished and adoring wife of 67 years. Survived by beloved daughter Wendy Czarnecki and husband Matthew of Petaluma, CA; devoted son Fred and wife Gael Fitzmaurice of Berkeley, CA; loving brother Elliot Katz of Marlboro, NJ; dear sister-in-law Mary Seldin of Augusta, GA; caring step-granddaughter Tracy Leisek and husband Joe, also of Petaluma; and a remarkable assortment of nieces, nephews, cousins, long time close personal friends, and respected professional colleagues and associates, all of whom miss him deeply. The fans of "Bonanza," and the "High Chaparral" everywhere also mourn his passing.

The Dortort family is deeply grateful for the attentive and loving care given to our father in his last years by Grace Jabonete and her helpers Rosemary, Lynn, Lisette, and Rosita, a team that never wavered in their care and whose companionship was always treasured. We are grateful also for the compassionate care of Dr. Brandon Koretz.

Funeral services will be held at Mount Sinai Memorial Park, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, on Sunday, September 12 at 1 PM. Graveside service will follow. In lieu of memorials, the Dortort Family suggests donations to the Venice Family Clinic, 604 Rose Ave., Venice, CA 90291 or to the Writers Guild Foundation, 7000 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048.