Charles Dubin, Director Known for M*A*S*H and Many Other Series
Dubin helmed 44 episodes of M*A*S*H, more than any director.
Charles Dubin, a director who endured blacklisting and went on to work extensively in primetime television, including 44 episodes of the long-running CBS comedy M*A*S*H, died September 5, 2011, in Brentwood, California. He was 92.
According to news reports, Dubin died of natural causes.
Dubin was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 1, 1919, and trained as an opera singer and actor before moving into directing in the early days of television.
He directed episodes of the renowned arts show Omnibus, during which he worked with performers like Leonard Bernstein, Agnes De Mille and George Balanchine.
He also directed dramas, comedies, a special on the Bolshoi Ballet and the musical Mister Rock and Roll with deejay Alan Freed.
In 1958, Dubin was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee. He said he was not a Communist, but refused to answer 22 questions. The next day NBC fired him.
Three years later he returned to television to direct episodes of The Defenders. In the years that followed he directed episodes of numerous series, including Kojak, Lou Grant, Hawaii Five-O, The Nurses, The Virginian, Hotel, Cagney & Lacey, Matlock and Father Dowling Mysteries.
In addition, he directed the 1965 made-for-television production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Cinderella.
He reached a high point in the 1970s when he directed 44 episodes of M*A*S*H, more than any other director. His episodes included the acclaimed “Point of View” episode that was told through the eyes of a wounded soldier.
Dubin received three Primetime Emmy nominations, and won a Daytime Emmy in 1990 for the children’s series Square One TV.
Survivors include his second wife and a daughter.