Biography
George Louis Schaefer (December 16, 1920 – September 10, 1997) was an American director of television and Broadway theatre, who was active from the 1950s to the 1990s. Schaefer was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, and lived in Oak Park, Illinois for much of his boyhood and young adulthood. He was the son of Elsie (née Otterbein) and Louis Schaefer, who worked in sales. Schaefer studied stage directing at the Yale School of Drama. He began his directing career while serving in the U.S. Army Special Services during World War II. He directed over 50 plays for the troops. After being discharged, he directed for the Broadway theatre. His first production was of Shakespeare's Hamlet starring Maurice Evans. In 1953, Schaefer won a Tony Award for his production of The Teahouse of the August Moon which he co-produced with Evans. During the Golden Age of Television, Schaefer directed numerous live TV adaptations of Broadway plays for NBC's Hallmark Hall of Fame. His first episode for Hallmark was an adaptation of his Broadway staging of Hamlet starring Evans. In the 1980s, several of his productions for Hallmark aired in syndication under the title George Schaefer Showcase Theatre. His television work garnered him five Emmy wins out of 21 total nominations. He also won four Directors Guild of America Awards out of 17 nominations. He holds the record for the most DGA Award nominations. He also directed five theatrical films, but to limited success.
Directed 69
1990s
- 1996
Harvey
Director
- 1992
The Man Upstairs
Director
1980s
- 1988
Laura Lansing Slept Here
Director
- 1986
Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry
Director
- 1985
Answers
Director
- 1984
Children in the Crossfire
Director
- 1983
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Director
- 1982
The Deadly Game
Director
- 1981
People vs. Jean Harris
Director
1970s
- 1979
Mayflower: The Pilgrims' Adventure
Director
Blind Ambition
Director
- 1978
Who'll Save Our Children?
Director
First, You Cry
Director
An Enemy of the People
Director
The Second Barry Manilow Special
Director
- 1977
The Girl Called Hatter Fox
Director
Our Town
Director
- 1976
Amelia Earhart
Director
The Last of Mrs. Lincoln
Director
- 1975
In This House of Brede
Director
- 1974
Lincoln
Director
Once Upon a Scoundrel
Director
- 1973
A Time For Love
Director
- 1972
A War of Children
Director
- 1971
Gideon
Director
Doctors' Wives
Director
1960s
- 1969
Generation
Director
The File on Devlin
Director
Pendulum
Director
- 1968
The Admirable Crichton
Director
Elizabeth the Queen
Director
- 1967
Saint Joan
Director
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Director
Soldier in Love
Director
- 1966
Blithe Spirit
Director
- 1965
Inherit the Wind
Director
Eagle in a Cage
Director
The Holy Terror
Director
- 1964
The Fantasticks
Director
Little Moon of Alban
Director
Macbeth
Director
Abe Lincoln in Illinois
Director
- 1963
A Cry of Angels
Director
The Invincible Mr. Disraeli
Director
Pygmalion
Director
- 1962
Arsenic & Old Lace
Director
- 1961
Victoria Regina
Director
- 1960
The Tempest
Director
1950s
- 1959
A Doll's House
Director
Meet Me in St. Louis
Director
- 1958
The Gift of the Magi
Director
Kiss Me, Kate
Director
Little Moon of Alban
Director
Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates
Director
- 1957
The Yeomen of the Guard
Director
The Lark
Director
- 1956
The Little Foxes
Director
- 1955
Alice in Wonderland
Director
One Touch of Venus
Director
- 1954
Macbeth
Director
- 1951
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Director
1940s
- 1945
Produced 37
1990s
- 1992
The Man Upstairs
Producer
1980s
- 1988
Laura Lansing Slept Here
Producer
- 1986
Mrs. Delafield Wants to Marry
Producer
- 1984
Children in the Crossfire
Producer
- 1983
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Producer
- 1982
- 1981
People vs. Jean Harris
Producer
1970s
- 1979
Blind Ambition
Producer
- 1978
Who'll Save Our Children?
Producer
An Enemy of the People
Producer
- 1977
The Girl Called Hatter Fox
Producer
Our Town
Producer
- 1976
The Last of Mrs. Lincoln
Producer
- 1974
Lincoln
Producer
- 1971
Gideon
Producer
1960s
- 1969
The File on Devlin
Executive Producer
- 1968
The Admirable Crichton
Producer
Elizabeth the Queen
Producer
- 1967
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Producer
- 1966
Blithe Spirit
Producer
- 1965
Inherit the Wind
Producer
The Holy Terror
Producer
- 1964
The Fantasticks
Producer
Macbeth
Producer
Abe Lincoln in Illinois
Producer
- 1963
Pygmalion
Producer
- 1962
Arsenic & Old Lace
Producer
- 1960
The Tempest
Producer
1950s
- 1959
A Doll's House
Producer
- 1958
The Gift of the Magi
Producer
Kiss Me, Kate
Producer
Little Moon of Alban
Producer
- 1957
The Yeomen of the Guard
Producer
The Lark
Producer
- 1956
The Little Foxes
Producer
- 1951
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Producer
Wrote 3
1980s
- 1985
Answers
Writer
1960s
- 1964
Macbeth
Screenplay
1950s
- 1955
One Touch of Venus
Adaptation
Acted in 1
1990s
- 1994
