Broadcast pioneer who helped create ‘American Bandstand’
Lew Klein, a broadcast pioneer who helped create “American Bandstand” and launched the careers of Dick Clark and Bob Saget, has died. He was 91.
Mr. Klein died Wednesday, according to Temple University, where Mr. Klein taught and mentored students for over six decades.
“His guidance, the generosity of his time, his wisdom, his network were immeasurable,” said David Boardman, dean of Temple’s media and communication school. “The number of careers he has launched — both through teaching and through connecting students with internships and opportunities — and then as they’ve gone through their careers, introducing them to the right people and continuing to nurture them through their careers.”
Mr. Klein began working at WFIL-TV, now WPVI-TV, where he directed “Romper Room” and co-created “Captain Noah and His Magical Ark,” two popular children’s programs in the 1960s that attracted a bigger local audience than “Sesame Street.”
A native of Philadelphia, Mr. Klein served as executive producer of “American Bandstand,” the popular music performance and dance television show hosted by the late Clark. Mr. Klein is credited with launching Mr. Clark’s career and served on the board of Dick Clark Productions.
Mr. Klein spent 15 years producing telecasts for the Philadelphia Phillies and helped with the careers of players-turned-sportscasters.
Only a couple of years after he graduated with an English degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Klein started teaching at Temple. He stayed for more than 65 years.
In 2017, Temple renamed its College of Media and Communications in his honor. During a ceremony, which included remarks from comedian Mr. Saget, Mr. Klein said he was “so proud and very thankful” to be honored.
“Lew could see the gleam in a student’s eye who was inspired to do the work,” Mr. Saget said in a phone interview Thursday.
“People like him don’t come around often. He was just an all-around good man. When I saw him, I kissed him. And I only did that with my dad, Don Rickles and Norman Lear.”
Mr. Klein helped Mr. Saget get an internship on “The Mike Douglas Show,” a daytime TV talk show.
Joe Conti, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters, called Mr. Klein a “titan within the broadcast community.”
Survivors include Mr. Klein’s wife, Janet; children Ellen and Stephen; granddaughter Anna and her husband, John; and great-grandchildren Oscar and Miriam.