Marty Callner
American television director (1946–2025) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Martin Henry Callner (August 25, 1946 – March 17, 2025) was an American director who made music videos, comedy specials, concert specials and television shows. He was the creator of HBO's Hard Knocks,[1] and was nominated for numerous Primetime Emmy Awards, Directors Guild of America Awards, CableACE Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.
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Marty Callner | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 25, 1946 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | March 17, 2025 (aged 78) Malibu, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Director |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 4 |
| Website | martycallner |
Background
Born in Chicago on August 25, 1946, Martin Henry Callner grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, raised primarily by his mother.[2] He attended three universities but did not earn a degree.[2]
Career
Summarize
Perspective
Callner began his career at a Cincinnati television station in 1969, before moving to Boston's WBZ-TV, where he directed Boston Celtics broadcasts.[2] He began directing stand-up specials for HBO in 1975.[2] He moved into music videos a few years later, after being inspired by the video for the Kim Carnes song "Bette Davis Eyes".[2] His directorial credits on music videos include videos for Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Chaka Khan, Cher, Diana Ross, Stevie Nicks, Heart, Kiss, Poison, Ratt, Lita Ford, The Cranberries, Scorpions, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake and ZZ Top.
His music video specials include Bette Midler's Diva Las Vegas, Pat Benatar's In Concert, Britney Spears: Live from Las Vegas, Diana Ross Live at Caesar's Palace, Fleetwood Mac's Mirage Tour, Garth Brooks Live from Central Park, Gladys Knight Live at the Greek Theatre, Gloria Estefan's Caribbean Soul: The Atlantis Concert, Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveShow, Marc Anthony's Concert from Madison Square Garden, Paul Simon Live at the Tower Theatre, Rolling Stones' Four Flicks, Stevie Nicks's Bella Donna, and Whitney Houston's Whitney: The Concert for a New South Africa.
He also directed recordings of performances by comedians including Redd Foxx, Pee-wee Herman, Sam Kinison, George Carlin, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Dane Cook, John Leguizamo, Billy Crystal, George Lopez, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Whitney Cummings, and Will Ferrell.
Personal life and death
Callner and his first wife, Jan Mussara, had two children.[2] After they divorced, he married Aleeza Zelcer, with whom he also had two children.[2] He died at his home in Malibu, California, on March 17, 2025, at the age of 78.[1][2]
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | CableACE Awards | Entertainment | On Location | Nominated | [3] |
| Standing Room Only | Won | ||||
| 1981 | Single Program – General Entertainment or Variety: Music | Won | |||
| Single Program – General Entertainment or Variety: Unclassified | Nominated | ||||
| 1983 | Directing a Theatrical-Music Program | Camelot | Nominated | ||
| 1995 | Music Special | Madonna: The Girlie Show – Live Down Under | Nominated | ||
| 1999 | Directors Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical/Variety | Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time | Nominated | |
| 2003 | Robin Williams: Live on Broadway | Nominated | |||
| 2004 | Rolling Stones: Forty Licks World Tour Live at Madison Square Garden | Nominated | |||
| 1994 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Direction in a Video | "Amazing" – Aerosmith | Nominated | |
| 1991 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Drama Series, Variety Series, Miniseries or a Special | Cher... at the Mirage | Nominated | |
| 1997 | Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Diva Las Vegas | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Directing for a Variety or Music Program | Nominated | ||||
| 1998 | Garth: Live from Central Park | Nominated | |||
| 1999 | Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time | Nominated | ||
| 2003 | Robin Williams: Live on Broadway | Nominated | |||
| Rolling Stones: Forty Licks World Tour Live at Madison Square Garden | Nominated | ||||
| 2009 | Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger | Nominated | |||
| Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Nominated | ||||
| 2010 | Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction | Nominated | ||
| 2011 | The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway | Nominated |
References
External links
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