Matthew Rapf

{{Infobox person

| name = Matthew Rapf

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1920|10|22}}

| birth_place = New York, New York

| death_date = {{Death date and age|1991|12|11|1920|10|22}}

| death_place = Malibu, California

| resting_place = Hillside Memorial Park

| other_names =

| occupation = Film and television producer, screenwriter

| years_active =

| known_for =

| notable_works =

| father = Harry Rapf

| relatives = Maurice Rapf (brother)

| spouse = Carol Rapf

| children =

| awards =

| alma_mater = Dartmouth College

}}

Matthew Rapf (October 22, 1920 – December 11, 1991) was an American film and television producer and screenwriter. He was best known for producing The Loretta Young Show, Ben Casey, and Kojak.

Biography

Matthew Rapf was born in New York City on October 22, 1920,{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5SUIAQAAMAAJ&q=%22October+22%2C+1920%22 |title=The Hollywood Reporter, Volume 320, Issues 18-34 |publisher=Wilkerson Daily Corporation |page=548 |year=1991 |access-date=April 10, 2019 |via=Google Books}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30461266/rapf_matthew/ |title=Rapf, Matthew |work=Los Angeles Times |page=A36 |date=December 12, 1991 |access-date=April 10, 2019 |via=newspapers.com}} the son of MGM film producer Harry Rapf. His brother Maurice was a screenwriter (blacklisted in the 1940s) and film professor.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/18/arts/maurice-rapf-88-screenwriter-and-film-professor.html |title=Maurice Rapf, 88, Screenwriter and Film Professor |work=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=April 18, 2003 |access-date=April 10, 2019}}

After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1942, he served as a lieutenant (junior grade) in the U.S. Navy during World War II.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/18/obituaries/matthew-rapf-producer-71.html |title=Matthew Rapf, Producer, 71 |work=The New York Times |date=December 18, 1991 |access-date=April 10, 2019}} Returning to civilian life, he followed in his father's and brother's footsteps into filmmaking and was hired by MGM to be part of a production group headed by Charles Schnee.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30463892/fairbanks_will_make_episode_film/ |title=Fairbanks Will Make Episode Film; Schary Boosts Young Producers |first=Edwin |last=Schallert |work=Los Angeles Times |page=31 |date=January 30, 1952 |access-date=April 10, 2019 |via=newspapers.com}} His first credit was for writing and producing the 1948 Western Adventures of Gallant Bess.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FmxCAQAAIAAJ&q=%22Matthew+Rapf%22 |title=Motion Picture Herald |publisher=Quigley Publishing Company |page=42 |year=1948 |access-date=April 10, 2019 |via=Google Books}} In 1952 he wrote and produced the noir film The Sellout.{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Na3l7xoV3LoC&pg=PA12 |title=Screen World Vol. 4 1953 |first=Daniel |last=Blum |publisher=Biblo & Tannen Publishers |isbn=9780819602596 |page=12 |year=1969 |access-date=April 10, 2019 |via=Google Books}} After this he worked primarily as a producer, on films such as Big Leaguer{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30460997/movie_group_pushes_plans_in_melbourne/ |title=Movie Group Pushes Plans In Melbourne |work=Orlando Evening Star |location=Melbourne, Florida |page=11 |date=February 10, 1953 |access-date=April 10, 2019 |via=newspapers.com}} and Half a Hero.

Rapf next moved into television, signing a long-term contract with NBC in 1955,{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ij4oAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Matthew+Rapf%22 |title=Broadcasting |publisher=Cahners Publishing Company |page=101 |year=1955 |access-date=April 10, 2019 |via=Google Books}} and producing series for them such as The Great Gildersleeve, Frontier, Jefferson Drum, and Ben Casey.

In 1973 he produced the TV film The Marcus-Nelson Murders, starring Telly Savalas as police lieutenant Theo Kojak. Though not originally intended as a pilot, it became the basis of one of Rapf's most successful series, Kojak.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30466182/movie_of_the_week_becomes_a_regular/ |title=Movie of the Week becomes a regular |work=The Anniston Star |agency=AP |location=Los Angeles |date=July 18, 1973 |access-date=April 10, 2019 |via=newspapers.com}} He would be nominated for three Emmy Awards for his work on the film and show.{{Cite web |url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/matthew-rapf |title=Matthew Rapf |publisher=Emmy Awards |access-date=April 10, 2019}}

He was married to prominent real estate agent Carol Rapf.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30470644/rapf_carol/ |title=Rapf, Carol |work=Los Angeles Times |page=B12 |date=August 24, 2000 |access-date=April 10, 2019 |via=newspapers.com}}

Matthew Rapf died in Malibu on December 11, 1991, after a bout of influenza.