Thea Flaum
Born
Thea Kharasch

(1938-09-17) September 17, 1938
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materSkidmore College
OccupationAmerican television producer
Known forCreator of Sneak Previews (1975-1996)
SpouseRobert A. Hill
Children4

Thea Flaum (born Thea Kharasch; September 17, 1938) is an American television producer best known as the creator of Sneak Previews,[1] the movie review show featuring Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel.[2] She is currently the president of the Hill Foundation for Families Living with Disabilities, a non-profit organization founded by Flaum and her husband, Robert A. Hill.[3]

Early life

Flaum was born in Chicago, Illinois. She is the daughter of Sam and Freda Kharasch, and grew up in Chicago. She graduated from Skidmore College in 1960, with a bachelor's degree in English literature[4] in 2005.

Career

Television career

In 1975, Flaum created a television show called Opening Soon at a Theater Near You (later known as Sneak Previews and Sneak Previews Goes Video).[5]

A few years later, Flaum was named Executive Producer for National (PBS) cultural programs for WTTW/Chicago.[6] She created the first national parenting series, “Look at Me,” hosted by Phil Donahue.[7] She was responsible for the “Soundstage” music series and for co-productions with MTV and HBO.[7]

In 1984, Flaum formed an independent production company based in Chicago.[8] The company focused on family programming—creating, developing and producing dramas, documentaries, specials, series and pilots, for network, cable, syndication and public television.

Productions include: At the Auction,[9] The Appraisal Fair and CityScapes for the Home and Garden Television Network (HGTV,) From Junky to Funky for DIY and De-Classified, for Tribune Broadcasting.[10] Also Love Hurts,[11] a drama for ABC's AfterSchool Specials series, Christmas Every Day[12] and The Canterville Ghost,[13] two animated children's specials for CBS and Where’s Daddy? for NBC. PBS shows include a record-setting series of seven Les Brown specials;[14] Ruth Page's Die Fledermaus[15] ballet, and Ruth Page: Once Upon A Dancer, a biographical portrait of the American dance pioneer and choreographer.[3]

Hill Foundation for Families Living with Disabilities

Flaum is president of the Hill Foundation for Families Living with Disabilities, which was established in 2007 by Flaum and her husband, Robert A. Hill.

The foundation has created FacingDisability.com, a web resource specifically created to connect families who suddenly have to deal with a spinal cord injury with people like them.[16]

Community service

Flaum currently serves as a member of the Boards of Trustees of Access Living,[17] the Chicago Television Academy,[18] the Ruth Page Foundation, the Fund for Innovative Television and the Governing Board of the Chicago Symphony.

Personal life

Flaum is married to Chicago businessman, Robert A. Hill, the founder and chairman of Floor Covering Associates.[19] They have four children, Jonathan and Alison Flaum and Vicki and Miranda Hill.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1988Ruth Page: Once Upon A Dancer Herself
1989The Siskel & Ebert 500th Anniversary SpecialSneak Previews Producer
1999; 2013Chicago TonightHerself2 episodes
1999At the MoviesHerselfEpisode: "Remembering Gene Siskel"
2014Life ItselfHerself

Awards

Flaum has won nine Emmy Awards, 10 international film awards, the American Bar Association's “Silver Gavel” award, the “Best in Media” award from the National Council for Children's Rights, a Cine “Golden Eagle,”[20] and a “Golden Apple.”[7] In 1993, she was named Chicago's “Best Producer” by “Screen” Magazine. In 1996, she received the Governor's Award from the Chicago Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In 2001, she received their Silver Circle Award for her “significant contributions to broadcasting”. She was given the Focus Achievement Award from Women in Film Chicago in 2006.[21] She also served as National Vice-president of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.[22]

References

  1. ↑ Steinberg, Joel. "Siskel and Ebert". Encyclopedia of Television. Museum of Broadcast Communications. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Thea Flaum". IMDb.
  3. 1 2 "New Owner for Thea Flaum Productions: employee Dan Lombardi takes over July 1". Reel Chicago. June 21, 2007.
  4. ↑ "Distinguished Achievement Award". Skidsmore Scope. Summer 2005.
  5. ↑ Bernstein, Fred (August 20, 1984). "Tough! Tender! Gritty! Evocative! Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert Live to Dissect Films—and Each Other". People. Archived from the original on August 26, 2010.
  6. ↑ Eng, Monica (October 15, 1999). "Honoring TV Pioneers". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 "Thea Flaum the most prolific of TV producers honored by WIF Focus Achievement Award". Reel Chicago. October 2, 2006.
  8. ↑ Thea Flaum Productions, IMDb
  9. ↑ Thea Flaum, New York Times
  10. ↑ "Thea Flaum developing a 26-episode, offbeat home series for DIY network". Reel Chicago. January 10, 2005.
  11. ↑ Love Hurts - TV Special - Cast & Credits, New York Times
  12. ↑ Christmas Every Day (1987) (TV), IMDb
  13. ↑ Overview for Thea Flaum, Turner Classic Movies
  14. ↑ It's Possible... With Les Brown, New York Times - Television
  15. ↑ O'Connor, John J. (December 17, 1986). "'FLEDERMAUS' IN BALLET". The New York Times.
  16. ↑ Life Center: Facing Disability, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, September 2012
  17. ↑ "Access Living Board of Directors". Access Living. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Chicago/Midwest Academy of Television Arts and Sciences - Board of Directors". Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  19. ↑ "About Robert A. Hill". Floor Covering Associates. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  20. ↑ "TV Show Producer Thea Flaum and Multi-Talented Bonnie Hunt Receive WIFC Focus Awards". Reel Chicago. August 13, 2006.
  21. ↑ "Bonnie Hunt and Thea Flaum Honored by Women in Film/Chicago". Studio Daily. October 2, 2006.
  22. ↑ Thea Flaum - Chicago Emmy Bio, Chicago/Midwest National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
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