Aaron Ruben

A native of Chicago, Aaron Ruben was a TV writer, producer, and director with decades of work in the industry. Ruben began his career in 1953 as a writer on the pioneering television comedy "The Buick-Berle Show" starring Milton Berle. He also wrote four episodes of "Caesar's Hour," providing material for another early TV comedy legend, Sid Caesar. In '60, Ruben was elevated to producer for the classic family comedy "The Andy Griffith Show," producing 150 episodes over six seasons, as well as briefly writing and directing for the show, which starred Griffith along with a very young Ron Howard. Towards the latter stage of that run, Ruben created the hugely successful comedy "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.," which made actor Jim Nabors--who played Pvt. Pyle, in all his goofy glory--a television star. Ruben wrote for the popular show, and produced several episodes as well. In '72, he went in a whole different direction, comedy-wise, producing the irreverent sitcom "Sanford and Son," which starred comedian Redd Foxx, lighting a fire under his role as Fred Sanford. Ruben wrote and produced multiple episodes between '72 and '74, before moving on to other projects, particularly the comedy "C.P.O. Sharkey," which he created in '76, and which starred Don Rickles in the title role.