David L. Wolper Biography

Fast Facts

• Best known for producing films and television shows, including "Roots" and "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory․"
• Attended Drake University and the University of Southern California
• Dropped out of school to market travel films, and shortly thereafter established a production company for documentaries
• Quote: "I'm like the chef․ If I mix all the ingredients right, it's going to taste terrific․ If I don't, it's not going to come out good․"
• In 1951, acquired the TV rights for the Superman comics and produced a 90-episode series, "Superman․"
• Co-founded the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation's Archive of American Television in 1997
• Produced the opening and closing ceremonies for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles