Allan Blye, a two-time Emmy winner finest identified for originating the function of Captain Blye on Mister Rogers Neighborhood and writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, died Oct. 4 in Palm Desert, CA. He was 87.
Blye, a local of Winnipeg, Canada, appeared on Mister Rogers greater than 200 instances from 1961-65 earlier than Tom and Dick Smothers satisfied him to maneuver to Los Angeles to jot down and produce their selection present. Blye helped assemble a exceptional writing employees, working alongside younger comedians similar to Steve Martin, Bob Einstein, Rob Reiner and Carl Gottlieb. With Blye as the top author and producer, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour received an Emmy for writing in 1969.
Together with Chris Bearde, Blye went on to co-create, produce and function head author for The Andy Williams Present and The Sonny and Cher Present. After penning plenty of tv specials, together with Elvis Presley’s iconic “68 Comeback Particular,” Blye fashioned a partnership with Bob Einstein and received his second Emmy in 1977 for writing on the Van Dyke and Firm present that includes Dick Van Dyke.
In 1980, Blye and Einstein created Weird starring John Byner, adopted by the spinoff collection The Tremendous Dave Osborne Present. By shifting manufacturing to Canada, Blye not solely employed lots of of native Canadian expertise and crew, however developed a enterprise mannequin of simulcasting and producing American productions on Canadian soil, which has since grow to be frequent apply.
Whereas rising up in Winnipeg, Blye served as a soloist in his synagogue’s choir and might be heard singing on selection radio exhibits all throughout Canada. By the point he was 20, Blye was not solely knowledgeable cantor, however his voice might be heard in lots of of jingles.
In 1972, Rabbi Jerry Cutler recruited Blye to determine the Synagogue for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills; he would later grow to be their Cantor Emeritus. Blye continued his cantorial profession, conducting providers across the higher Los Angles space and main his personal congregation for top vacation providers referred to as Guess Yom Tov. He helped to lift hundreds of thousands of {dollars} for instructional causes within the Jewish neighborhood, which led to The Jewish Basis of Winnipeg awarding him “Winnipeg Man of the 12 months” in 1986.
He was additionally honored by town of Winnipeg with a road named Allan Blye Drive.
Throughout his retirement years in Palm Springs, Allan was an investor and artistic guide in “the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies” together with his previous pal Riff Markowitz.
Blye is survived by his spouse Rita, his brother Garry Blye (Susan), his six kids: Debra, Jeffrey, Rob, Kate, Charlie, and Sam, in addition to three grandchildren; Julian, Jeremy, and Scarlett Blye. His funeral shall be held at Temple Sinai of Palm Desert on Wednesday October 9 at 2 p.m.
Contributions could be made in Blye’s honor to The Michael J. Fox Basis to assist Parkinson’s analysis.
