Meet Ken Levine, writer of over 200 episodes of Network Television including “M*A*S*H,” “Cheers,” “Frasier,” “Wings” and “The Simpsons”
The name behind the names of some of TV’s best comedies: “M*A*S*H,” “Cheers,” “Frasier,” “Wings,” “The Simpsons” and “The Jeffersons.” Ken Levine has written more than 200 episodes of network television.
Head writer, producer and creative consultant, Levine then turned his talent to directing more than 50 of your TV favorites.
But wait, there’s more. He wrote the movie “Volunteers” starring Tom Hanks and has written two stage plays and three books. Levine did radio/TV major league baseball play-by-play for the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres. He writes a daily blog that Time magazine named one of the best 25 in the world.
So, what’s the deal? Can’t this prolific writer hold a job? Or has he mastered the art of reinventing himself seven times during an accomplished career still going strong after nearly 40 years?
Levine will share amusing anecdotes from his comedic road to success during his talk “By Ken Levine” 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2. The fundraiser at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Lowden Theater will benefit Doberman Rescue of Nevada, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization:
- Who knew that his mom’s golf game would be his break to getting his first TV job?
- While other army reservists were relaxing after a day of maneuvers, he and his writing partner were huddled in a corner writing dialogue for “Weezy” for a spec script for “The Jeffersons.” He’s been “moving on up” ever since.
- To prepare for a MLB career, he bought beer for some of the regulars sitting next to him in the north forty of Dodger Stadium. They would keep an eye on the bullpen for him with their binoculars while he sat with a cassette tape recorder practicing his play-by-play. For two years!
Levine is available to be interviewed to tell stories about his career and to offer advice on how to find success to wannabe writers, bloggers – and yes, even wannabe MLB play-by-play announcers.
Tickets for “By Ken Levine” are $29 and $49 and are available at https://eventbrite.com/event/8311085681/