Carl Gottlieb: Biography

Portly writer/director/comedian Carl Gottlieb first gained a following as a member of the San Francisco-based improv troupe The Committee. The Syracuse University-educated Gottlieb went on to join the writing staff of the ground-breaking Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967, sharing an Emmy for his troubles. He went on to direct the 1968 TV variety series Music Scene, then played Ugly John in the original film version of M*A*S*H (1969). In 1975, he won a Golden Globe for his script work on Spielberg's Jaws (1975); he also briefly appeared in the film, and wrote an entertaining paperback chronicle on the subject, The Jaws Log. He has frequently worked in collaboration with another ex-Smothers Brothers writer, Steve Martin; he played Ironballs McGinty in Martin's starring feature The Jerk (1977) and directed Martin's 1977 short subject The Absent Minded Waiter (1977) and the concert video Steve Martin Live. Additional directing credits include the theatrical features Caveman (1981) and Amazon Women of the Moon (1987). Carl Gottlieb has taught acting and writing classes at the University of Southern California and the Sundance Institute. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide