KAUFMAN, Jack

July 14, 1931 - April 10, 2021

A pioneer of early television, Jack died peacefully at home in San Francisco on April 10th at age 89.

A New Yorker at heart, Jack spent most of his adult life in California, having moved to Los Angeles with his young family in the 1960s and later to San Francisco. Bronx-born to Max and Clara (Soberman), he graduated from CCNY’s Institute of Film Techniques - among the most prestigious film schools of its time - guided by renowned avant-garde filmmaker/ artist, Hans Richter.

From there, Jack began his illustrious and prolific career in the burgeoning field of documentary TV. Traveling the world for National Geographic Society, David Wolper, and others, he created unique films about nature, science, history and world politics. Among his memorable documentaries: The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich - the first topical mini-series on TV - which he wrote, produced and directed; The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau; Untamed World; The Truman Years; The Homefront; Primal Man; The Churchill Years; numerous National Geographic Specials; and Ripley’s Believe it or Not. He was meticulous in his work, a voracious reader, a truly gifted writer, quick-witted and extremely intelligent. To know him was to appreciate his sense of humor and indulge a rough-edged cynicism he employed to get a rise out of you. At his core, he was a loving and gentle soul.

Jack will be missed by his wife Leslie Abrahams Barham; children Stephen (Samantha), Diana (Paul Marszalek) Amy (Andy Bednarek), and Alex (Amy Mersol-Barg); grandchildren Ray and Trudy Marszalek, Sydni and Eli Bednarek and Madeleine Kaufman; brother Harold (Gigi); and nephews Michael (Melissa) and Ben (Susan).

For those wishing to honor his memory, please consider donations in his name to: Southern Poverty Law Center, Anti-Defamation League, or ACLU.