DLT Entertainment Founder Donald Taffner, Sr., Passes Away

NEW YORK: Donald Taffner, Sr., who brought hits such as Three’s Company, Too Close for Comfort and The Benny Hill Show to U.S. audiences, has passed away at the age of 80.

Taffner was one of the founders of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, where he was still serving as an executive committee member and was also a former secretary. He received the International Emmy Founders Award in 1986. Taffner founded DLT Entertainment in 1963; DLT went on to bring the shows Three’s Company (Mad About the House), Too Close for Comfort (Keep it in the Family) and The Benny Hill Show to American audiences.

The Academy issued a statement—on behalf of Bruce Paisner, the president and CEO; Fred Cohen, chairman; and Camille Bidermann-Roizen, executive director—which said: "The Academy has lost a true supporter and a dear friend.  We extend our deepest condolences to Don Jr., daughter Karen Butler, family, friends and colleagues. We will observe a moment of silence in remembrance of Don at our next Board & Members Meeting in Los Angeles on September 16."