Rod Holcomb was a TV director and producer who helmed the pilot and series finale of “ER,” along with dozens of other TV episodes.
- Died: January 24, 2024 (Who else died on January 24?)
- Details of death: Died in Los Angeles after a long illness at the age of 80.
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Rod Holcomb’s legacy
Holcomb became known for directing TV show pilots, setting the tone for a series. Most famously, he directed the 1994 feature-length pilot for “ER,” establishing the hit show’s busy cadence. Holcomb returned to “ER” over the years, directing five other episodes, including the 2009 series finale. His other pilot episodes included “The Greatest American Hero,” “The A-Team,” “China Beach,” and “Moonlight.” He also returned to direct five other episodes of “The Greatest American Hero” and two of “China Beach.”
Holcomb’s many other TV directing credits included episodes of “The Six Million Dollar Man,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “Fantasy Island,” “Hill Street Blues,” “The West Wing,” “Lost,” “Numb3rs,” “The Good Wife,” and “Elementary.” He created the 1989 detective show “Wolf” and directed its pilot along with other episodes.
Holcomb is remembered for pioneering film techniques for the small screen, including bringing Steadicam from cinema into the world of TV. He was nominated for four Emmy Awards and won for his direction of the “ER” series finale.” He also won a Directors Guild of America (DGA) Award for the “ER” pilot. In addition to his work as a director, Holcomb was a prominent member of the DGA and helped lead its Television Creative Rights Committee.
Tributes to Rod Holcomb
Full obituary: The Hollywood Reporter
