Allan Blye, a two-time Emmy winner best known for originating the role of Captain Blye on Mister Rogers Neighborhood and writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, died Oct. 4 in Palm Desert, CA. He was 87.
Blye, a native of Winnipeg, Canada, appeared on Mister Rogers more than 200 times from 1961-65 before Tom and Dick Smothers convinced him to move to Los Angeles to write and produce their variety show. Blye helped assemble a remarkable writing staff, working alongside young comedians such as Steve Martin, Bob Einstein, Rob Reiner and Carl Gottlieb. With Blye as the head writer and producer, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour won an Emmy for writing in 1969.
Along with Chris Bearde, Blye went on to co-create, produce and serve as head writer for The Andy Williams Show and The Sonny and Cher Show. After penning a number of television specials, including Elvis Presley’s iconic “68 Comeback Special,” Blye formed a partnership with Bob Einstein and won his second Emmy in 1977 for writing on the Van Dyke and Company show featuring Dick Van Dyke.
In 1980, Blye and Einstein created Bizarre starring John Byner, followed by the spinoff series The Super Dave Osborne Show. By moving production to Canada, Blye not only employed hundreds of local Canadian talent and crew, but developed a business model of simulcasting and producing American productions on Canadian soil, which has since become common practice.
While growing up in Winnipeg, Blye served as a soloist in his synagogue’s choir and could be heard singing on variety radio shows all across Canada. By the time he was 20, Blye was not only a professional cantor, but his voice could be heard in hundreds of jingles.
In 1972, Rabbi Jerry Cutler recruited Blye to establish the Synagogue for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills; he would later become their Cantor Emeritus. Blye continued his cantorial career, conducting services around the greater Los Angles area and leading his own congregation for high holiday services called Bet Yom Tov. He helped to raise millions of dollars for educational causes in the Jewish community, which led to The Jewish Foundation of Winnipeg awarding him “Winnipeg Man of the Year” in 1986.
He was also honored by the city of Winnipeg with a street named Allan Blye Drive.
During his retirement years in Palm Springs, Allan was an investor and creative consultant in “the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies” with his old friend Riff Markowitz.
Blye is survived by his wife Rita, his brother Garry Blye (Susan), his six children: Debra, Jeffrey, Rob, Kate, Charlie, and Sam, as well as three grandchildren; Julian, Jeremy, and Scarlett Blye. His funeral will be held at Temple Sinai of Palm Desert on Wednesday October 9 at 2 p.m.
Contributions can be made in Blye’s honor to The Michael J. Fox Foundation to support Parkinson’s research.
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