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Peter W. Kunhardt Biography

Birth Name:Peter Whiting Kunhardt

Birth Place:Santa Monica, California, United States

Profession Producer, Director, Writer

Fast Facts

Five generations of his family have dedicated their lives to the legacy of Abraham Lincoln, including his great-grandfather Frederick Hill Meserve, who provided the photographs of Lincoln used on the penny, the $5 bill and Mount Rushmore
His grandmother, Dorothy Kunhardt, wrote extensively on Abraham Lincoln, but was perhaps better known for writing the children's book "Pat the Bunny․"
Quote: "[on his family's collection] "It was a responsibility I grew up with․ Lincoln was someone we had to know everything about․ He was sort of a member of our family․""
Quote: "My job is funny․ It's very creative and it's working with a lot of museums and institutions․ It's about looking back on the work of somebody else․"
Best known as a documentary producer and director who created "JFK: In His Own Words" and "Nixon by Nixon: In His Own Words․"
Has written a number of books, including "Lincoln: An Illustrated Biography" and "Looking for Lincoln․"

1981Emmy-Outstanding Coverage of a Single Breaking News Story: winner
1981Emmy-Outstanding Informational/Cultural Historical Programming: winner
1988Emmy-Outstanding Informational Cultural or Historical Programming - Programs: winner
2010IDA Award-Limited Series: nominated
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Nonfiction Special: nominated
2014FOCAL Award-Best Use of Footage on Digital or Non-Television Platforms: winner
2014Emmy-Outstanding Historical Programming - Long Form: winner
2014Emmy-Outstanding Historical Programming - Long Form: winner
2015Emmy-Outstanding Historical Programming - Long Form: nominated
2015Emmy-Outstanding Historical Programming - Long Form: nominated
2016Emmy-Outstanding Historical Programming - Long Form: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking: winner
2017Emmy-Outstanding Historical Documentary: nominated
2018Video Source Award-: winner
2019Emmy-Outstanding Historical Documentary: winner
2020Honorable Mention-Best Documentary: winner
2020Emmy-Outstanding Social Issue Documentary: winner
2022Emmy-Best Documentary: nominated
2022Emmy-Outstanding Politics and Government Documentary: nominated
2024Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special: nominated
2025Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special: nominated