Ted Steinberg

STEINBERG, Ted Writer-producer, Ted Steinberg, age 64, passed away peacefully at home during the early hours of December 1, 2007 following a six-month bout with pancreatic cancer. He was an extraordinary man, respected and loved by all who knew him; someone who always saw the best in people and whose life was characterized by honor and compassion. A native of Great Neck, Long Island, Ted held both undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After his military service, which included combat in Vietnam as a member of the 101st Airborne Division, Ted came to California and began a legal practice, initially specializing in Selective Service law, counseling anti-war draftees from a storefront facility in downtown Los Angeles. He then embarked on a long and successful career in law with a practice focused largely on athletes as well as general entertainment industry clients. By the mid 1980s, Ted left the practice of law to devote all his efforts to writing and producing. Over the next sixteen years, he would be associated with a body of work reflecting his deep concern for social justice and issues of compassion as well as broader political issues. In 1988 he both co-wrote and co-executive produced the first "Get Out The Vote Special", a landmark use of television that quickly became an institution. In 1990, Ted was a producer of the first "Earth Day Special" which was followed in 1991 by "Victory and Valor: Special Olympics World Games" which he executive produced. Ted then joined Whidbey Island Films in the production of documentaries for PBS productions including "The Sixties: Extreme Remedies," "Fear in America", and "The Education Wars". This was followed by "Pathfinders", a round-the-world adventure-travel series. He then returned to producing for CPB/PBS, joining "National Desk" as an Executive Producer, a stint that would produce three Telly Awards and a New York Film Festival Gold Medal. He also co-wrote and co-produced "Celsius 41.11: The Temperature at Which the Brain Begins to Die", a politically-themed feature documentary. At the time of his death, he was developing an inspirational self-motivational series "Seize the Day" in cooperation with the PBS affiliate in New Orleans. Ted's strong instinct for community service and innate generosity were a central part of his life. For many years he contributed his time and effort to Verbum Dei's extra-curricular sports program, North Hollywood High School's Mock Trial program and Duke Moot Court. He was a supporter of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Fund, helping found the Hollywood Friends of the Memorial. He was also a life member of the 101st Airborne Association. Ted is survived by his wife of thirty-seven years, Ellen Brown; his mother, Fran Leslie Lewis; brother, Ziggy Steinberg; and sister, Claudia Stein. Ted was a loving and devoted uncle to Kate and Meg Landau. His many friends and admirers will miss Ted profoundly. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at NBC Studio 3, 3000 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank, CA. Contributions in Ted's name may be sent to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN), 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Ste. 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245 (www.pancan.org) or to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250 (www.dav.org)