18 hours Ago By Jack Dunn
Don Mischer , a prolific live event director and 15-time Emmy winner, died April 11, Variety has confirmed. He was 85. Outside of his Emmy honors, Mischer also received a record 10 Directors Guild of America Awards for outstanding directorial achievement and a lifetime achievement award from the International Cinematographers Guild Publicists.
His credits include “We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial,” “The Kennedy Center Honors,” ABC’s “Taking the Stage: African American Music and Stories That Changed America,” the 100th Anniversary of Carnegie Hall, and Super Bowl Halftime shows with Prince, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen. He more recently directed “Mickey’s 90th Spectacular,” the 90-year anniversary celebration of Mickey Mouse. Mischer also helmed the opening ceremonies for the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.
He also served as director for the 83rd, 84th, and 85th Academy Awards and red carpets, the 71st Emmy Awards and the Annual 9/11 Memorial Commemoration at Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. As a producer, Mischer collaborated with artists like Beyoncé, Bono, Prince, Rihanna, Britney Spears, James Taylor, Taylor Swift, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Adele, Mary J. Blige, Elton John, Justin Timberlake, Barbra Streisand, Justin Bieber, Jon Bon Jovi and Carrie Underwood.
His final credit was for the 2025 Breakthrough Prize Ceremony, dubbed the Oscars of Science by those involved. Hosted by James Cordon, the event serves as the intersection between tech leaders and Hollywood stars. Mischer is survived by his wife Suzan, his four children, Lily, Heather, Jennifer and Charlie, and his two grandkids.
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