PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Lew Klein, a broadcast pioneer who helped create “American Bandstand” and launched the careers of Dick Clark and Bob Saget, has died at 91.
Klein died Wednesday, according to Temple University, where Klein taught and mentored students for more than six decades.
He began working at WFIL-TV, now WPVI-TV, where he directed “Romper Room” and co-created “Captain Noah and His Magical Ark,” two popular children’s programs in the 1960s that attracted a bigger local audience than “Sesame Street.”
A native of Philadelphia, Klein served as executive producer of “American Bandstand,” the popular music performance and dance television show hosted by Clark. Klein is credited with launching Clark’s career and served on the board of Dick Clark Productions.
In this April 19, 2012 file photo, broadcast pioneer Lew Klein, who helped to create “American Bandstand”, speaks during an interview in Jenkintown, Pa. Klein taught and mentored at Temple University in Philadelphia for more than six decades, lending his name to its communication school. The school said he died Wednesday, June 12, 2019. He was 91. (Photo: Matt Rourke, AP)
He spent 15 years producing telecasts for the Philadelphia Phillies and also helped with the careers of players-turned-sportscasters including Richie Ashburn and Tim McCarver.
Read the rest of the story HERE at the USA TODAY website
