Leslie H. Martinson



Leslie Herbert Martinson was an American television and film director. He was born on January 16, 1915 to Gertrude and Lewis Martinson in Boston, Massachusetts and had a brother named Bertram. He was a newspaper journalist before accepting a long-term job as an MGM script clerk in 1936. He began directing TV western series in the early 50s; his first feature film assignment was "The Atomic Kid" with Mickey Rooney at Republic Pictures in 1954. He later moved on to directing for television, becoming a prolific director for Warner Brothers Television. From 1954 to 1955, he directed the first of Mickey Rooney's three failed situation comedies for television series. Throughout the 60s and 70s, Martinson continued directing feature films and television including the TV series "Maverick," "Batman," "Ghost Story," "Mission: Impossible," "Mannix," "Diff'rent Strokes," "Dallas," "Eight Is Enough," "Wonder Woman" and episodes of the 80s TV shows, "Harper Valley PTA," "CHiPs" and "Airwolf." He also directed the made-for-TV reunion movie, "Rescue from Gilligan's Island." Martinson was also President Emeritus of the West Coast Jewish Theatre. He died on September 3, 2016, aged 101. He was married to television host and writer, Connie Martinson.

Episode(s)

 * Rescue from Gilligan's Island