Ron Weiner, a prominent television director with a distinguished career spanning 25 years at WGN Chicago, passed away on March 18 in Baltimore, Maryland at the age of 93. Weiner, a three-time Daytime Emmy winner for his work on the talk show 'Donahue,' leaves behind a legacy of exceptional contributions to the television industry.
During his tenure at WGN, Weiner directed a variety of shows, including 'Donahue,' 'An Evening With B.B. King,' 'Garfield Goose and Friends,' and produced 'Bozo's Circus.' His talent and dedication earned him four Emmy nominations, with three wins specifically for his work on 'Donahue.'
Weiner's television career began in 1956 when he secured a position as a prop man at WGN Television, owned by the Chicago Tribune. Through hard work and determination, he rose through the ranks to become a staff director by 1960. His directorial responsibilities encompassed a wide range of programs, from news broadcasts to children's shows, interview programs, and sports events such as Cubs games.
Following the success of 'Donahue,' Weiner continued to make significant contributions to the television landscape by working on various talk shows and pilot productions for Tribune Broadcasting. Notable projects included 'How to Be a No-Limit Person' with Wayne Dyer and 'The World of Anne Frank,' a compelling docudrama.
Aside from his television work, Weiner also shared his expertise as a professor at Columbia College, where he taught television direction classes for several decades. He was actively involved in the arts community, serving on the boards of organizations such as the Shakespeare Project of Chicago, the North Shore Chamber Orchestra Society, and the Chicago Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Weiner was honored with the Chicago/Midwest Silver Circle Award by NATAS in 2003. He was a respected figure in the industry and a mentor to many aspiring television professionals.
Weiner is survived by his four children, Deborah, Lauren, Vicki, and Howard, who is an executive at NBCU, as well as his two grandchildren, Griffin and Jameer. His wife, Phyllis Zolno Weiner, passed away in 2008, marking the end of a loving partnership that supported and inspired Weiner throughout his remarkable career.
