Goldman, Hal

Hal Goldman (1919-2001) was an award winning comedy writer of radio, television and film. He was born in St. Paul, MN and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1940. He served in the army during World War II between 1943-1945. During his years of enlistment he wrote for the Armed Services Radio and USO shows. Following the war Goldman moved to Los Angeles where he soon partnered with writer Al Gordon. On his own and with Gordon, Goldman wrote for Eddie Cantor, Jack Benny, Carol Burnett, Dean Martin, Jim Nabors, the Smothers Brothers and George Burns, among others. Goldman wrote for Jack Benny from 1950 until Benny's death in 1974. He was George Burns' primary writer for the last 17 years of Burns' life.

Goldman was nominated for ten Emmys and won three--two for his work on the Jack Benny Television Program and one for his work on a Carol Channing television special. He was also awarded a Writers Guild Award in 1986 for "George Burns' 90th Birthday Salute".

From the guide to the Hal Goldman papers, 1950-1990s, (University of Minnesota Libraries. Performing Arts Archives, Manuscripts Division [paa])