Legendary TV Producer Peter Lassally Passes Away at 93
Peter Lassally, a concentration camp survivor who became known as the “Host Whisperer” for producing talk shows headlined by Johnny Carson, David Letterman, and Craig Ferguson, has died at the age of 93. Lassally died Sunday of natural causes at a memory care facility in Los Angeles, his son, Tom Lassally, revealed to The Hollywood Reporter.
Background
Born on October 14, 1932, in Hamburg, Germany, Lassally’s life was marked by both tragedy and triumph. His father, Paul, was an importer/exporter in the coffee business, and his mother, Elsa, was a housewife. The family fled Germany in 1938 on the way to England to escape the Nazis, but “didn’t go far enough,” settling in Amsterdam, where he went to the same grade school as Anne Frank. After his father died and the Germans invaded the Netherlands, his mother and older sister were confined to two concentration camps from 1943-45.
A Career of Producing Excellence
Lassally’s early career in the entertainment industry began as an usher at Radio City Music Hall and as a page at NBC, alongside Regis Philbin. He reviewed Broadway plays for a WOR radio program hosted by Ruby Mercer and went on to produce her show, then produced the NBC radio program Nightline, where he hired notable comedians like Mort Sahl, Shelley Berman, and Nichols & May to do short comedy bits. “That’s where I found doing what I really love more than anything else, finding talent and developing them,” he said.
Lassally produced Godfrey-hosted shows on CBS radio and television, eventually becoming president of Godfrey’s production company. In 1961, he moved to PM East, a syndicated talk show from Westinghouse that was hosted by Mike Wallace. He regularly booked Barbra Streisand on that show because she lived in an apartment above the studio; she hadn’t even begun her singing career yet.
A Partnership with Johnny Carson
Lassally got to know Carson’s second wife, Joanne, when she asked him to produce a TV pilot for her, and she helped him get a job on The Tonight Show. Fred De Cordova came aboard a bit later, and they enjoyed a complementary relationship, with De Cordova handling the more social aspects of the show while Lassally focused on the behind-the-scenes work. They had lunch together every day for more than two decades, often throwing in a game of poker.
As the quiet behind-the-scenes guy in a producing partnership with De Cordova, Lassally had final say on all Tonight Show guests. He recognized Garry Shandling’s potential during an appearance on The Merv Griffin Show and pursued Steven Wright after seeing him do stand-up at a Chinese restaurant. “The gift that I keep looking for in people, whether they’re hosts or guests, is likability,” he said. “I don’t care if you have the No. 1 record or the No. 1 movie; if you’re not likable, I’d rather not put you on because I don’t think the audience will stay up.”
What This Means
Lassally’s legacy extends far beyond his work with The Tonight Show. He was instrumental in launching the careers of many notable comedians and hosts, including David Letterman and Craig Ferguson. His approach to producing was centered around finding and developing talent, and his ability to spot likable individuals helped shape the face of late-night television.
Lassally’s own story is one of resilience and determination, having survived the concentration camps and gone on to build a successful career in the entertainment industry. His passing is a loss for the industry, but his impact will be remembered for generations to come.
What Happens Next
As the entertainment industry mourns the loss of Peter Lassally, fans and colleagues alike will remember his contributions to the world of late-night television. His legacy will live on through the many comedians and hosts he helped launch, and his approach to producing will continue to inspire future generations of industry professionals.
Source: Hollywood Reporter