Ellwood Kieser

Birth : 1929-03-27, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Death : 2000-09-16

History

Born in Philadelphia on March 27, 1929, Ellwood Kieser graduated from La Salle High School and College in 1950, and entered the Paulists the following September. He made his first profession on September 8, 1951 and was ordained in May 3, 1956. After a brief summer assignment at New York City's Good Shepherd parish, he reported to Los Angeles where he spent the rest of his life. He joined the parish staff of St. Paul the Apostle there and the popularity of his inquiry classes led an early program director at a local TV station to put "Fr. Bud" on the air. The televised inquiry classes evolved into "Insight," a TV series featuring many of America's finest writers, actors and directors that produced new shows for 23 years. It ran on over 200 stations and won 6 Emmy Awards for excellence. In 1974 Fr. Bud created the Humanitas Prize to encourage the communication of human values through entertainment writing. Changing Federal Regulations brought down the curtain on "Insight" and moved Bud and Paulist Productions into commercial and full length movie production. He broke new ground by producing movies of the week, "After School Specials," and the feature films "Romero," the life of the martyred Archbishop of San Salvador, and "Entertaining Angels," the story of Catholic Worker founder Dorothy Day. While at the Paulist retreat at Lake George, New York, in July, 2000, Fr. Bud fell ill and flew home to Los Angeles to see his doctors. Diagnosed with intestinal cancer he died only six weeks later at the UCLA Medical Center. At the time of his death he was 71 years old and been a Paulist priest for 44 years.

Movies

Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story
Producer
The firebrand reporter, feminist and philanthropist Dorothy Day co-founds The Catholic Worker with Peter Maurin, an eccentric philosopher.
Romero
Producer
Romero is a compelling and deeply moving look at the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, who made the ultimate sacrifice in a passionate stand against social injustice and oppression in his county. This film chronicles the transformation of Romero from an apolitical, complacent priest to a committed leader of the Salvadoran people.
The Fourth Wise Man
Executive Producer
Artaban is a young Magus (Wise Man) who desires to follow the star to the birthplace of the coming King, against the counsel of his friends and family. Carrying three precious jewels to give to the baby Messiah, Artaban and his reluctant servant Orontes set off to join the caravan of the three other wise men. They miss the caravan, but Artaban continues the search for his King, always one step behind. Artaban spends much of his remaining wealth and all of his energy helping the poor and unfortunate people he meets, until at the end of his life he finally finds Jesus--at His trial! Has Artaban wasted his life in a foolish quest? Will he ever get the chance to present his gifts to the King?
Leadfoot
Executive Producer
Tommy just bought his first car with his own money. He enjoys driving it fast regardless of the speed limit. He ignores several warnings and not even a speeding ticket can change his way of driving. And then one night Tommy's beloved car is sideswiped, and Tommy makes a reckless decision that leads to tragedy.