Bill Darrid Darrid

The following bios courtesy of HBSW (Member #46882810) and Pat McArron (Member #47348594

William Darrid, Broadway producer and writer, died on Saturday at St. John's Hospital and Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif. He was 69 years old and lived in Los Angeles. He died of respiratory illness.

Mr. Darrid was born in New York City and served in the Army in World War II before pursuing an acting career. He appeared in the Broadway production of "Inherit the Wind" and other plays.

In 1956, he married the former Diana Dill, an actress and the ex-wife of the actor Kirk Douglas, and helped raise Michael Douglas and his brother Joel.

As a producer, Mr. Darrid was responsible for Broadway versions of "The Disenchanted" (1958), with Jason Robards, and "The Andersonville Trial" (1959), with George C. Scott as the director and star.

In 1962, Mr. Darrid joined the Music Corporation of America and helped to develop properties for film, theater and television. He became the head of the agency's literary division in 1966. After moving to Los Angeles in the 1970's, Mr. Darrid wrote the novels "Solomon Moon" and "The Blooding," as well as screenplays and television scripts.

"Hart," his screenplay about the poet Hart Crane, was to be produced by Michael Douglas's company this fall.

He is survived by his wife, his two stepsons and a brother, John Blum.

William (Bill) Darrid, a producer, author and scenarist and a fixture on the Hollywood scene for 20 years, has died. He was 69.

A spokesman for Michael Douglas said the actor's stepfather died Saturday night at St. John's Hospital and Health Center in Santa Monica after a long struggle with respiratory ailments.

Darrid, who once headed the East Coast Theater and Literary Department for MCA Universal, was known to his friends as a soft-spoken, unassuming voice in the often steely world of entertainment.

He began his career as an acting student at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City. After Army service in World War II, he returned to Manhattan as an actor in such plays as "Inherit the Wind" and "Reclining Figure." He married actress Diana Dill in 1956, seven years after her divorce from actor Kirk Douglas.

Darrid helped raise Michael Douglas and his brother Joel, and after Kirk Douglas' remarriage, the Darrids and Douglases maintained a close relationship.

Michael Douglas said Monday that "Bill was such a nice guy he set back the stepfather image 20 years."

On Broadway, Darrid produced such dramas "The Andersonville Trial," which starred and was directed by George C. Scott.

In the 1970s, Darrid moved to Los Angeles, where he wrote two novels: "Solomon Moon" and "The Blooding." He also wrote several screenplays and TV scripts.

In addition to his wife and stepsons, Darrid is survived by a brother, John.

A memorial service is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Writers Guild Theatre, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. The family asks that contributions be made to Amnesty International in Darrid's name.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Feb 25 2020, 11:49:24 UTC

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