Television executive Harris Katleman died earlier this month (July 9) at the age of 97. Although his name never appears in the credits of any episodes of M*A*S*H, Katleman served as president and CEO of 20th Century-Fox Television, the company that produced M*A*S*H, from 1980 to 1992. In that capacity, he oversaw production of the final seasons of M*A*S*H as well as its spin-off AfterMASH.
Other shows produced during his tenure included Trapper John, M.D., The Fall Guy, 9 to 5, Manimal, Small Wonder, L.A. Law, The Tracey Ullman Show, The Simpsons, In Living Color, Cop Rock, Silk Stalkings, and many other TV shows.
Katleman got his start in show business at MCA in the 1940s. He later worked for Goodson-Todman Productions before becoming President of MGM Television in 1972. He formed his own production company in 1977 before taking the top job at 20th Century-Fox Television in 1980. He published his memoir, You Can’t Fall Off the Floor and Other Life Lessons From Life in Hollywood, in 2019.
Obituaries can be found at The Hollywood Reporter and Deadline Hollywood.
