Robert Butler
Biography
Robert Butler was an American film and television director and Emmy award winner. He was born in Los Angeles, California, on November 17, 1927, and passed away in Los Angeles on November 3, 2023, at the age of 95. Butler was known for directing the debut episodes of several iconic television series, including Batman, Star Trek, Hill Street Blues, and Moonlighting. He also co-created Remington Steele, which featured Pierce Brosnan, and directed its inaugural episode. His television directing credits further include the premiere of Hogan's Heroes in 1965, as well as pivotal episodes for Glenn Gordon Caron's Moonlighting, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Sisters, and The Division. Throughout his career, he accumulated 84 known credits in directing.
Career overview
Robert Butler was an American film and television director who was born in Los Angeles, California, on November 17, 1927, and passed away in Los Angeles on November 3, 2023, at the age of 95. He is recognized for his work directing the debut episodes of several iconic television series, including Batman, Star Trek, Hill Street Blues, and Moonlighting. In addition to directing the premiere of Hogan’s Heroes in 1965, Butler played a role in co-creating Remington Steele, which featured Pierce Brosnan, and directed its inaugural episode.
His extensive television directing career also includes setting the stage and directing pivotal episodes for Glenn Gordon Caron’s Moonlighting, Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Sisters, and The Division. Across his career, Butler accumulated eighty-four known credits in directing within the film and television industries, establishing a legacy across multiple decades of television programming.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
89 titles- The Division (2001) Director
- Turbulence (1997) Director
- White Mile (1994) Director
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993) Director
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993) Producer
- Sirens (1993) Director
- Sisters (1991) Director
- Sisters (1991) Executive Producer
- Midnight Caller (1988) Director
- Out of Time (1988) Director
- Out of Time (1988) Executive Producer
- Out on a Limb (1987) Director
- Long Time Gone (1986) Director
- Moonlighting (1985) Director
- Our Family Honor (1985) Director
- Up the Creek (1984) Director
- Concrete Beat (1984) Director
- Remington Steele (1982) Director
- Remington Steele (1982) Creator
- Hill Street Blues (1981) Director
- Underground Aces (1981) Director
- Night of the Juggler (1980) Director
- A Question of Guilt (1978) Director
- Hot Lead & Cold Feet (1978) Director
- Lacy and the Mississippi Queen (1978) Director
- In the Glitter Palace (1977) Director
- Mayday at 40,000 Feet (1977) Director
- James Dean (1976) Director
- Dark Victory (1976) Director
- Strange New World (1975) Director
- Black Bart (1975) Producer
- Black Bart (1975) Director
- The Ultimate Thrill (1974) Director
- The Blue Knight (1973) Director
- The Blue Knight (1973) Director
- The Waltons (1972) Director
- Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972) Director
- Kung Fu (1972) Director
- Columbo (1971) Director
- Nichols (1971) Director
- The Barefoot Executive (1971) Director
- Scandalous John (1971) Director
- Death Takes a Holiday (1971) Director
- Then Came Bronson (1969) Director
- The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) Director
- Guns in the Heather (1969) Director
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) Director
- Lancer (1968) Director
- The Outcasts (1968) Director
- Ironside (1967) Director
- The Invaders (1967) Director
- Judd, for the Defense (1967) Director
- Cimarron Strip (1967) Director
- N.Y.P.D. (1967) Director
- Star Trek (1966) Director
- Mission: Impossible (1966) Director
- Batman (1966) Director
- Felony Squad (1966) Director
- CBS Playhouse (1966) Director
- Shane (1966) Director
- Blue Light (1966) Director
- Hogan's Heroes (1965) Director
- I Spy (1965) Director
- Mister Roberts (1965) Director
- Kilroy (1965) Director
- Star Trek: The Cage (1965) Director
- The Fugitive (1963) Director
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1963) Director
- The Lieutenant (1963) Director
- Espionage (1963) Director
- The Richard Boone Show (1963) Director
- The Virginian (1962) Director
- Stoney Burke (1962) Director
- The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961) Director
- Dr. Kildare (1961) Director
- The Defenders (1961) Director
- Ben Casey (1961) Director
- The Dick Powell Show (1961) Director
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1961) Director
- Peter Loves Mary (1960) Director
- Happy (1960) Director
- The Twilight Zone (1959) Director
- The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959) Director
- The Detectives (1959) Director
- The Rifleman (1958) Director
- Heart of Darkness (1958) Assistant Director
- Have Gun, Will Travel (1957) Director
- No Right to Kill (1956) Assistant Director
- Gunsmoke (1955) Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Robert Butler best known for?
Robert Butler is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Division (2001), Turbulence (1997), Lions for Lambs (2007), Lions for Lambs (2007).
When and where was Robert Butler born?
Robert Butler was born on November 16, 1927 in Los Angeles, California, USA. They passed away on November 3, 2023.
How many credits does Robert Butler have?
Robert Butler has accumulated over 89 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1955 to 2001.
What is Robert Butler's background in cinema and television?
Robert Butler was an American film and television director and Emmy award winner. He was born in Los Angeles, California, on November 17, 1927, and passed away in Los Angeles on November 3, 2023, at the age of 95. Butler was known for directing the debut episodes of several iconic television series, including Batman, S...