Stanley Z. Cherry, 74; TV Director Best Known for Work on Top ‘60s Series
Stanley Z. Cherry, 74, a television writer, director and producer, died of cancer Sept. 27 at his home in Studio City, according to his family.
Cherry was best known for directing episodes of some of the most popular TV series of the 1960s, including “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” “Gilligan’s Island,” “Flipper” and “Peyton Place.”
He also co-wrote several TV movies and wrote the story that was the basis for “Bunny O’Hare,” a 1971 feature film starring Bette Davis and Ernest Borgnine.
He was an accomplished musician and wrote music for a number of his television projects.
Cherry was born in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, 1932, and graduated from UCLA. He got his start in filmmaking while he served in the Army Signal Corps, where he produced and directed documentary films.
In his 60s, Cherry began a second career.
He earned a master’s degree in psychology at Pepperdine University and became a licensed family therapist.
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