Joseph Pevney, 96, Film and TV ‘Trek’ Director, Is Dead

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: May 30, 2008

PALM DESERT, Calif. (AP) — Joseph Pevney, who directed some of the best-known episodes of the original “Star Trek” television series, died on May 18 at his home here. He was 96.

His wife, Margo, announced the death.

Mr. Pevney directed 14 episodes of that 1960s series, including “The City on the Edge of Forever,” in which Captain Kirk and Spock travel back in time to the Depression, and “The Trouble With Tribbles,” in which the starship Enterprise is infested with cute, furry creatures.

Mr. Pevney loved the series, said his son Jay.

“He was surprised at the longevity of it because it was not a popular series at the time,” he said. “It hit its real popularity after it was over,” in syndication.

Born in 1911 in New York, Mr. Pevney began his entertainment career as a boy soprano in vaudeville. For several years in the 1930s and ’40s, he acted in or directed Broadway productions. He moved to Los Angeles after serving in the Army in World War II.

He made his movie acting debut playing a killer in “Nocturne” (1946). He made several other film noir appearances but then turned to directing with “Shakedown” (1950).

Mr. Pevney went on to direct more than 35 films, including two memorable movies from 1957: “Man of a Thousand Faces,” which starred James Cagney as the silent star Lon Chaney, and “Tammy and the Bachelor,” a romantic comedy starring Debbie Reynolds, which gave rise to her No. 1 record, “Tammy.”

Also directed Joan Crawford & Jeff Chandler in "Female on the Beach".

In the 1960s and ’70s Mr. Pevney turned to television, directing dozens of episodes of series like “Wagon Train,” “Fantasy Island,” “The Incredible Hulk” and “Trapper John, M.D.”

He retired in 1985.

In addition to his wife and son Jay, Mr. Pevney is survived by a daughter, Jan Pevney Holt; another son, Joel; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.