John Peyser, 86; Veteran Director in Television, Movies

John Peyser, 86, veteran television director of more than 100 television series, including the live drama “Studio One,” died Friday of natural causes in his sleep in Woodland Hills.

Born in New York City and educated at Colgate College, Peyser was a part of television from its infancy. He produced and directed programs for NBC before World War II. After serving in Army psychological warfare in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany, he went to work for his former commanding officer, William S. Paley, at CBS.

After directing live programs in New York, Peyser moved to California in 1955 and worked as a contract director for Warner Bros., then Universal, churning out such television series as “Switch,” “Quincy” and “Baa Baa Black Sheep.” Other credits included “The Untouchables,” “Combat,” “Bonanza,” “The Virginian,” “Perry Mason,” “Tales of the South Pacific,” “BJ and the Bear” and “Hawaii 5-0.”

Peyser lived in Spain for eight years, directing for major Hollywood studios.

Among his feature films were “Four Rode Out,” “Kashmiri Run” and “Massacre Harbor.” Returning home, he directed such films as “The Young Warriors” and “Stunt Seven.”

He also became an accomplished painter, showing his work in local galleries.