---
name: "Gene Reynolds"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/gene-reynolds"
roles: ["Director","Writer"]
born: "4 April 1923"
died: "3 February 2020"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 1
updated: "2026-09-16T16:25:16.770418+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Gene Reynolds

Director and writer. Born 4 April 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Died 3 February 2020.

## Details

- **Work:** Director, Writer
- **Born:** 4 April 1923, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- **Died:** 3 February 2020
- **Also known as:** Eugene Reynolds Blumenthal

## Fi1m on Gene Reynolds

> Gene Reynolds made television comedy that took its characters seriously without requiring them to stop being funny. We rate his work on *M*A*S*H* highly, with a caveat: the warmth survives some jokes and lectures that we could do without.

A hand resting on someone's shoulder, or a look that lasts another moment: Reynolds wanted small signs of care in a scene. That preference helps explain what we value in *M*A*S*H* (1972), the war comedy he co-created with Larry Gelbart. He directed 24 episodes and also wrote and produced, so our view of him rests on more than his handling of individual scenes. It is funny, humane television, and the extent of his involvement makes it the proper place to begin.

He co-created, wrote and directed *Tales of Wells Fargo* (1957) early in his move behind the camera. By *Room 222* (1969), as executive producer and director, he was helping make education and social problems the subject of a series. Work directing episodes of *The Munsters* and *The Andy Griffith Show* also gave him practice in television comedy. That background matters to *M*A*S*H*: good intentions would have been little use without the ability to make people laugh.

In *M*A*S*H*, Alan Alda leads an ensemble whose company is a substantial part of the pleasure. We grew fond of these people because the humour allowed them warmth as well as wit. Reynolds favoured bringing actors into the development of characters and stories, and that seems a sensible method for this kind of television. Yet affection does not excuse the dated jokes, and the occasional lectures are less persuasive than the comedy. We recommend the programme readily, but would not defend every line.

His move to *Lou Grant* (1977), co-created with James L. Brooks and Allan Burns, took that concern for people at work into a drama about journalism. Reynolds drew on research into institutions, including newspapers and military hospitals, to help ground his programmes in recognisable working lives. That is a useful discipline when serious subjects might otherwise leave the characters with nothing to do but deliver speeches. Start with *M*A*S*H*, and allow for the moments when the programme decides to teach.

## Biography

Gene Reynolds, born Eugene Reynolds Blumenthal, was an American actor, writer, director and producer. He began his career as a child actor, appearing in the 1934 Our Gang short *Washee Ironee* and films such as *Captains Courageous* (1937) and *Babes in Toyland* (1934). He served in the US Army during the Second World War before transitioning to directing and producing television.

Reynolds co-created the CBS series *M*A*S*H* (1972) with Larry Gelbart and produced 120 episodes, writing 11 and directing 24. He later co-created *Lou Grant* (1977) and worked on series including *Room 222* (1969), *The Andy Griffith Show* (1960) and *Hogan's Heroes* (1965). He received six Primetime Emmy Awards and multiple Directors Guild of America Awards.

*Sources: nytimes.com, imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, dga.org.*

## On Fi1m (1)

- *M*A*S*H* (1972), Fi1m 85, Director, Story, Writer — [page](https://film.one/tv/m-a-s-h-1972.md)

## Also known for

- *Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman* (1993), Director
- *The Munsters* (1964), Director
- *Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1955), Director
- *I Love Lucy* (1951), Mr. Taylor (uncredited)
- *Captains Courageous* (1937), Boy in Print Shop (uncredited)
- *Hogan's Heroes* (1965), Director
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), Director
- *The Andy Griffith Show* (1960), Director

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/gene-reynolds