Prolific screen and television writer John Furia Jr., who penned popular series including “Bonanza,” ”The Waltons” and “Hawaii Five-O” among many others, has died. He was 79.
The Writers Guild of America West disclosed Furia’s death in a statement Friday. The cause and exact time of his death could not immediately be determined.
Furia, a former president of the WGAW, was a longtime advocate for Hollywood writers. He was also a founding chairman of the Writing for Screen and Television Division at the University of Southern California’s film school and was a full professor there teaching screen and television writing.
“John’s character and dignity touched and influenced generations of writers from the founders of the Guild itself to the newest of student-associates,” said WGAW President Patric M. Verrone in a statement. “For those of us who relied on his knowledge and his counsel, John was more than an eminence grise; he was pure eminence.”
Born in 1929, Furia started his entertainment career singing with dance bands in New York City, but he soon discovered the fledgling television industry. He moved to California where he became one of Hollywood’s most productive dramatists, working for both major studios and networks.
He wrote for series such as “Bonanza,” ”The Twilight Zone,” ”Dr. Kildare,” ”Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre,” ”Hawaii Five-O,” ”The Waltons” and “Kung Fu,” as well as wrote or produced numerous movies-of-the-week.
Furia’s screen credits include “The Singing Nun” starring Debbie Reynolds and Greer Garson, in addition to executive producing films in Mexico, France, Canada, Spain, Croatia and Kenya.
“John had an old-world dignity about him that seems in such short supply in our world today,” Jack Epps, Jr., chair of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts Writing for Screen and Television Division, said in a statement.
California Gov. Newsom Signs Laws To Protect Actors Against Unauthorized Use Of AI
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed off Tuesday on legislation aiming at protecting Hollywood actors and performers against unauthorized artificial intelligence that could be used to create digital clones of themselves without their consent.
The new laws come as California legislators ramped up efforts this year to regulate the marquee industry that is increasingly affecting the daily lives of Americans but has had little to no oversight in the United States.
The laws also reflect the priorities of the Democratic governor who's walking a tightrope between protecting the public and workers against potential AI risks and nurturing the rapidly evolving homegrown industry.
"We continue to wade through uncharted territory when it comes to how AI and digital media is transforming the entertainment industry, but our North Star has always been to protect workers," Newsom said in a statement. "This legislation ensures the industry can continue thriving while strengthening protections for workers and how their likeness can or cannot be used."
Inspired by the Hollywood actors' strike last year over low wages and concerns that studios would use AI technology to replace workers, a new California law will allow performers to back out of existing contracts if vague language might allow studios to freely use AI to digitally clone their voices and likeness. The law is set to take effect in 2025 and has the support of the California Labor Federation and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or SAG-AFTRA.
Another law signed by Newsom, also supported by SAG-AFTRA, prevents dead performers from being digitally cloned for commercial purposes without the permission of their estates. Supporters said the law is... Read More