Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1534542
M A Y 2 0 2 5 I 1 1 On April 12, DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter made the following statement today upon learning of the passing of DGA Lifetime Achievement in Television recipient and former National Board Member, Don Mischer: "The Directors Guild is heartbroken by the loss of legendary live television Director Don Mischer. Don was simply iconic – his mastery of directing live events was a fast-paced symphony of meticulous planning combined with on-the-spot decision-making that elevated our nation's greatest cultural events, always capturing the human spirit behind them. From the Oscars to the Super Bowl halftime show, to the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, political conventions and inaugurations, Don's skill as a Director elevated the emotions, excitement and importance of these live worldwide moments, creating lifelong memories for audiences around the world. But more importantly to his fellow Directors and directorial team members, Don was a guiding force as a mentor, colleague and friend whose radiant spirit brought an infectious joy to every project and team who had the fortune to work with him. And no matter how busy his schedule, Don always gave back – serving his Guild on the National Board, Western Directors Council, the BA/FLTTA Negotiations Committee and as Chair of the DGA Awards. For his excellence in the craft, Don won 10 DGA Awards, was nominated for an additional eight and as a capstone to his amazing career, received the Guild's Lifetime Achievement in Television Award in 2019. The DGA is grieving this tremendous loss alongside Don's family and friends, deeply saddened by the passing of this incredible Director who touched so many lives with his compassionate heart." DGA Service/Awards Don Mischer joined the DGA in 1971. He served five terms on the DGA National Board as a member or alternate from 2013-2023; six terms on the Western Directors Council as a Council member or alternate, was a member of the DGA's BA/FLTTA Negotiations Committee in 2020 and 2023 and served as the DGA Awards Chair three times for the 71st, 72nd and 73rd Awards. In 2019, Mischer was the fourth recipient of the DGA Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Achievement in Television Direction. He won 10 DGA Awards for the following: We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial; Opening Ceremonies: Atlanta Olympic Games; Gregory Hines: Tap Dance in America; Motown Returns to the Apollo; Baryshnikov by Tharp; Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever; Shirley MacLaine...Illusion; and three times for the Kennedy Center Honors (1978, 1979 and 1980.) He was nominated for an additional eight DGA Awards for: the 85th, 84th and 83rd Annual Academy Awards; Barbra Streisand "Timeless"; Made in the USA with Mikail Barishnikov; Kennedy Center Honors (1982); Goldie and Liza Together; and The Third Barry Manilow Special. Mischer's Career One of the most successful and celebrated live television Directors in Guild history, Mischer's diverse body of directing experience includes some of the most widely viewed live television events. In addition to his directorial credits, he served as Executive Producer for the Primetime Emmy Awards seven times and was honored with 15 Emmy Awards, two NAACP Image Awards, a Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting, the 2012 Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television from the Producers Guild of America. In addition to his service to the DGA, Mischer served two terms on the Guild's National Board and as the Chair for the annual DGA Awards ceremony. He also served on the Board of Governors of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, received the Governors Award from the National Association of Choreographers, and was a member of the Event Industry Hall of Fame and the Producers Guild of America. "Every time you go to direct something you're shooting for the moon and want to 'ring the bell'" Mischer once said about his past DGA Awards. "You're lucky if you can ring the bell half the time. It takes good teams to do these things and one weak link somewhere and you can all go south. But in the genre of television that I do, it's the team that counts — I'm talking about the DGA team, the ADs and the Stage Managers. Those of us who do what we do and have been fortunate enough to get this kind of recognition, we're really standing on the shoulders of all those people who supported us. Every day I work in this business, I appreciate that more." Don Mischer's DGA Visual History Interview is available on www.dga.org. Remembering Don Mischer — (1940-2025) Receiving a standing ovation as he accepts the DGA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. Accepting the DGA Musical Variety Award for The Obama Inaugural Celebration in 2010. In the production truck helming the Academy Awards in 2013.