Ruth Engelhardt

Ruth Engelhardt (1921-2008) was interviewed for three-and-a-half hours in Los Angeles, CA.  Engelhardt vividly described her over 55-year association with the William Morris Agency.  She recalled how she worked her way up from being a secretary to an executive in Business Affairs by earning her law degree attending night school.  She discussed the structure of the Agency, the key figures in its executive suites, and its important television accounts.  She talked about the packaging of such television series as The Life of Riley, The Danny Thomas Show, and I Spy.  She spoke in great detail about the creation of one of the biggest hits of the 1980s, The Cosby Show.   Additionally, Engelhardt talked about such topics as contract negotiations, the era of the Hollywood Blacklist, and the 1975 formation of CAA by ex-WMA agents.  B-roll consisted of a few photos of Engelhardt with William Morris colleagues.  The interview was conducted by Karen Herman on October 9, 2003.