Born in New York City, Louis Heyward's early life was marked by a dual pursuit of a career in law and a passion for writing. As he navigated his way through his education, he simultaneously honed his skills as a scriptwriter, crafting engaging stories for various radio series. After completing his six-year service in the Air Force, Heyward secured a position with the Associated Press, where he continued to cultivate his writing talents, supplementing his work with radio scriptwriting and eventually finding a long-term home as a comedy writer on the esteemed daytime TV program, The Garry Moore Show, in 1950.
Throughout his illustrious career, Heyward held various positions in New York television, including writing comedy material and developing skits for The Ernie Kovacs Show, which earned an Emmy nomination in 1956. That same year, Heyward received the prestigious Sylvania Award as the top comedy writer for the program. He also played a crucial role in the development of The Dick Clark Show, which premiered in 1958.
As his career continued to flourish, Heyward made the move to Hollywood, where he held executive positions at 20th Century-Fox and MCA. He later joined forces with American International Pictures, initially as a writer, and then as director of motion picture and TV development. His impressive tenure with the company culminated in his appointment as head of the London-based foreign arm.
Heyward's professional journey eventually took him to Barry & Enright, where he served as the vice-president of development, overseeing the production of game shows, features, and TV movies. Throughout his illustrious career, Louis Heyward demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and thrive in various roles, leaving a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.
