"John Rich's unique vision and formidable directing talents become evident the minute you glance at his list of credits, which contain some of the most beloved TV classics of all time," Coolidge said. "He is a gifted director and has been an active member of our Guild for nearly 5 decades. John is truly deserving of this honor."
Rich's prolific directing career began in the early 1950s on comedies such as I Married Joan and Our Miss Brooks. He went on to helm numerous television series including Gunsmoke, The Twilight Zone, The Andy Griffith Show, Gilligan's Island (pilot and series), Hogan's Heroes, The Jeffersons (pilot and series), Barney Miller (pilot and series), Newhart (pilot and series) and Murphy Brown — to name only a few. He also directed the feature films Wives and Lovers, The New Interns, Roustabout, Boeing-Boeing, and Easy Come, Easy Go, as well as the first live telecast of the Academy Awards in 1955.
Rich received the DGA Robert B. Aldrich Award for extraordinary service to the Guild and its membership in 1993; the DGA Special Class Television Award for Most Outstanding TV Director in 1971; the DGA Directors Award for Comedy Series for the "All in the Family" episode of All in the Family, 1971; and was nominated for the DGA Directors Award for Comedy Series for "The Bunkers & the Swingers" episode of All in the Family, 1972.
Other awards include: Emmys for his direction of The Dick Van Dyke Show in 1963, and All in the Family in both 1972 and 1973; Golden Globe Awards for All in the Family in 1972 and 1973; the NAACP Image Award in 1973; and, the Christopher Award in 1974 for his direction of Henry Fonda's stage performance in the one-man play, Clarence Darrow.
"John joined the Guild in 1953, and despite a busy and successful career he became an active member almost from the get-go," said Howard Storm. "One of the reasons we are among the most preeminent guilds in the entertainment industry is because of members like John who dedicate themselves not only to their work but also to the DGA."
Rich has served the Guild in many capacities including as an Alternate to the Guild's National Board of Directors, 1954; Western Directors Council Member, 1955 to present; National Board Member, 1955 to 1969 and 1971 to present; Secretary-Treasurer/First Vice President, 1956-1957; Negotiating Committee Member through three Guild negotiations, 1956, 1958 and 1960; and, Negotiating Committee Co-Chairperson in 1996.
John Rich is a founding member of the DGA-Producers Pension and Health Plans and has continued to serve as a trustee since its inception. He was Chairman of the Board of Trustees in 1966, 1968, 1970, 1992 and 1996.
The Honorary Life Member Award will be presented to John Rich at the DGA Awards banquet on Saturday, March 1, 2003, at the Century Plaza Hotel. Past recipients include Frank Capra, Gil Cates, Charlie Chaplin, Charles Champlin, Barry Diller, Walt Disney, Elia Kazan, David Lean, Sidney Lumet, Louis B. Mayer, Elliot Silverstein, Jack L. Warner, Robert Wise, Jack Valenti, and, most recently, Delbert Mann.
