All in the Family Director Dies: Brady Bunch, The Jeffersons, Dick Van Dyke

By Brittney R. Villalva, Christian Post Reporter Monday, January 30, 2012

2 photos(PHOTO:Facebook/Brady Bunch)Television Series

Television director John Rich, responsible for classics like the Brandy Bunch and All in the Family, has passed away.

The director, who directed episodes of "Gilligan's Island" and "That Girl", died Sunday with sudden heart failure after a brief illness. His list of contributions was endless. He also directed "The Jeffersons", "Maude", and "Mister Ed". He won three Emmy's during his career, one for directorial work on "The Dick Van Dyke Show."

Rich became a member of the Screen Directors Guild in 1953 and served in many leadership roles. He played a crucial role in the 1960 merge of the Screen Directors Guild and Radio and Television Actors Guild, which officially formed the Directors Guild of America (DGA).

The current president of the DGA expressed his sentiments for Rich. "We are deeply saddened to learn today of the passing of John Rich," Taylor Hackford said in a statement.

"A legendary figure in the history of TV comedy, John tirelessly served our Guild for nearly six decades. He directed some of the most beloved classics of all time and his skills as a television director were unsurpassed, but no matter how busy and successful his career was, John always made time for the DGA."

Rich is survived by his wife of 22 years, Patricia Dodds Rich; two sons and a daughter; three stepchildren; and eight grandchildren.

Guy Norman Bee, director of "Austin Powers", also showed his sentiments for the director's passing on Twitter. "Sad to hear of the passing of John Rich - a legendary comedy director and a staple at almost every DGA event I've ever attended! RIP John," he wrote Sunday night.

"A sweet and brilliant pioneer. You will be missed," Simon Helberg wrote, actor in "Van Wilder" and "The Big Bang Theory."

"I never plotted anything. I never wrote anything down. It was always in my head. It's the only way to do it," Rich said once in an Interview with American Television. A part of that interview is attached below.