Los Angeles – Directors Guild of America President Taylor Hackford made the following statement upon learning of the passing of Tom Donovan:
“We are saddened to learn today of the passing of Tom Donovan, a key player in the merger between the Screen Directors Guild and the Radio and Television Directors Guild in 1960 that led to the formation of the modern Directors Guild of America.
“Tom’s mark upon the new DGA was indelible. He was president of the New York Local of the RTDG when discussions first began in the late 1950s about forming a new, unified organization to represent film and television directors and the teams that support them under one roof, and then in 1962, he chaired the committee that organized a restructuring of the new Guild that eased regional friction and consolidated power in a National Board in which both the East Coast and the West Coast were fully represented – an organizational structure that continues today.
“A beloved father figure here at the Guild, Tom was one of the nicest gentlemen many of us ever had the privilege of knowing. He was devoted to this organization and he took great pride in everything he helped set in motion all those years ago – a single, unified Guild that helped protect and improve working conditions, creative rights and economic benefits for all Guild members. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of our founding this year, we thank Tom for his vision, his commitment and his service, and we will miss him greatly.”
DGA Service
Donovan was one of the architects of the merger that unified all directors of audiovisual content and the teams that support them under a single organization – the Directors Guild of America. The merger made the DGA unique among entertainment craft unions by eliminating geographic and jurisdictional splits.
Donovan served on the first national board of the newly-formed DGA, eventually holding nearly every board position over the course of the next 33 years including national vice president. He also served five terms on the DGA’s Eastern Directors Council and as trustee of the DGA Foundation.
For his outstanding contributions to the Guild, Donovan was made an Honorary Life Member in 1985. He was recognized once again with the Robert B. Aldrich Award for extraordinary service to the Guild and its membership in 2001.
