Charle's Bio

- Biography -
Charles FitzSimons

1924-2001

Charles FitzSimons, another multi-talented member of Maureen O'Hara's family, died of complications from Hepatitis-C on February 14, 2001. He contracted the disease from a blood transfusion durig an earlier heart surgery over 10 years ago. Charles had been Executive Director of the Producers Guild of America Inc. since 1981 until his retirement in 1999. Prior to his position with the Guild, he had a professional career as producer in theatrical motion pictures and television for over 46 years. He also served as agent and manager for his sister's movie career.

Charles' educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Legal and Political Science, graduating summa cum laude from the National University of Ireland. He has a Barrister-at-Law Degree, summa cum laude - Kings Inns of Court (with the distinction of being the youngest person ever to be admitted to the bar at that time). Charles is also a Graduate in Dramatic Arts - Abbey Theatre, Dublin, Ireland. Charles was partnered with the late Abbey Theatre playwright, Louis D'Alton, in a theatrical production company presenting Irish drama in London and Glasgow and initiated and supervised theatrical film production by the Associated British Picture Corporation of Louis D'Alton's play "They Got What They Wanted."

In 1951Charles was hired by John Ford, Merian Cooper and Republic Studios to set up and supervise the Irish location shooting of the motion picture "The Quiet Man." After this successful project Charles was brought to Hollywood by John Ford and Merian C. Cooper as their protégé. During 1952 Charles worked as an actor in a number of Hollywood motion pictures and television series. In 1954 he returned to Ireland to set up and supervise the Irish location shooting of Universal's theatrical feature picture "Captain Lightfoot."

With continued experience in multiple areas of film production, Charles soon was established as a successful producer. He has served as either Executive Producer, Supervising Producer, Associate Producer, or Production Executive in the production of eight theatrical motion pictures, fifteen television motion pictures, fourteen television pilots, 177 television one-hour episodes, and ninety-four television half-hour episodes (please see list at end of biography identifying each production).

With his new home in America, Charles became a Naturalized American citizen on August 3, 1962. His beginning was, of course, in Ireland. Born on May 8, 1924 in Dublin. He was one of 6 children of Margurite and Charles FitzSimons. His older sisters are Peggy, Maureen and Florrie, with younger sister Margot, and brother James (James and Florrie are now deceased).

PRODUCTION CREDITS:

In 1951, was hired by John Ford and Merian C. Cooper and Republic Studios to set up and supervise Irish location shooting of the theatrical motion picture “The Quiet Man.” Brought to Hollywood by John Ford and Merian C. Cooper as their protégé.

In 1952-53, worked as an actor in a number of Hollywood motion pictures and television series.

In 1954, returned to Ireland to set up and supervise the Irish location shooting of Universal's theatrical feature picture "Captain Lightfoot."

In 1955-56, employed by Edward L. Alperson a his Associate Producer in the development and production of all projects for Edward L. Alperson Productions, National Picture Corp., and Alco Pictures, including the theatrical pictures “Mohawk” (1955), “The Restless Breed” (1956), and “Courage of Black Beauty” (1956) for 20th Century-Fox release.

In 1958-60, was under contract to CBS Television, assigned to special projects including Associate Producer on the pilot project “Men and Women,” Producer of the pilot project “The Baby-Sitter,” and program development of Earl Stanley Gardner's “Lester Leith” and “Cool and Lam,” and Samuel Goldwyn’s “Barbary Coast.”

In 1960, Producer-Creator of Columbia/Screen Gems pilot “Here Comes Melinda” for CBS.

1961, Producer of Carosel Productions feature picture "The Deadly Companions" for Pathé-America and Warner Bros.

In 1963, hired by Screen Gems to co-create and co-produce a proposed television series format for Herb Shriner.

In 1964-65, was employed by Merian C. Cooper to co-develop and co-produce projects for theatrical features and television including “The Boilermakers,” and an unproduced pilot script for CBS Television.

In 1965-68, was under contract to Greenway Productions as Assistant to its President, William Dozier, functioning as both Company Executive and Associate Producer to Mr. Dozier on theatrical pictures, and as Assistant Executive Producer to Mr. Dozier on TV pilots and series, including “The Loner” TV series, 1965-66; “Batman” pilot and series, 1965-66-67-68; “Tammy Grimes” pilot and TV series, 1966; “Journey Into Fear” pilot, 1966; “Green Hornet” TV series, 1966-67; “Mrs. Zero” filmed TV presentation, 1967; “Wonder Woman” filmed TV presentation, 1967; “Batman” feature picture, 1966; and “The Big Bounce” feature picture in 1968.

In October 1968, joined Twentieth Century-Fox Television as Contract Producer. In 1969, was appointed Supervising Production Executive of Twentieth Century-Fox Features for ABC: “Honeymoon With A Stranger,” “Daughter of the Mind,” “The Challenge,” “Along Came a Spider,” and Producer of the pilot for the ABC TV series “Nanny and the Professor.” From 1970 to 1972, Producer of “Nanny and the Professor" TV series (52 episodes).

In 1972, produced the pilot “Oh Nurse” for Twentieth Century-Fox and CBS Television.

In April of 1972, joined Parmount Television as Producer of the “Love American Style” series for ABC through January of 1974 (46 episodes).

Rejoined Twentieth Century-Fox in August of 1974 as Producer of the ninety minute television feature special “Red Badge of Courage” for NBC and Xerox.

From January to March, 1975, produced the ninety-minute television feature-pilot “Conspiracy of Terror” for Lorimar Productions and NBC.

From April to December, 1975, producer of the one-hour television series “Matt Helm” for Columbia Pictures Television and ABC (13 episodes).

In 1976, Executive Producer of “The Death of Richie,” a two-hour television movie for Henry Jaffe Enterprises and NBC.

In 1977, Producer of “Cover Girls,” a ninety-minute television movie pilot for Columbia Pictures Television and NBC.

In 1977-78-79, Producer for two season of “Wonder Woman,” Warner Bros. One-hour television series for CBS (46 episodes).

In 1978, Producer of “What’s Up Doc?” pilot for Warner Bros. and NBC

In 1978, Producer of two-hour television movie musical special, “The New Adventures of Heidi” for NBC.

In 1979, Producer of the two-hour movie “The Solitary Man” for John Conboy Productions and CBS.

In 1980, Producer of the one-hour pilot “Ryker” for David Gerber Productions and CBS.

In 1980, Producer of the two-hour television movie “Children of Divorce” for Marble Arch and NBC.

In 1980-81, Producer of the two-hour movie special “Elvis and The Beauty Queen” for David Gerber Productions and NBC.

In 1981, Producer of the one-hour pilot “The Wonderful world of Philip Malley” for David Gerber Productions and CBS

In 1982, Producer of the two-hour television movie pilot “Maserati and the Brain” for Aaron-Spelling and ABC.

In 1982, Producer of five one-hour episodes of “Casablanca” for Warner Bros. and NBC.

In 1983, Producer of eighteen half-hour episodes of "Goodnight Beantown” for Warner Bros. and CBS.

In 1984-85 took sabbatical

In 1986-87, Producer of three-hour movie special “Police Story-The Freeway Killings” for Columbia and MGM-UA and NBC.

In 1987, guest-producer of two episodes “Houston Knights” for Columbia and CBS.

Executive Director of the Producers Guild of America from 1981 to 1999.

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