The producer of such popular television Western series as The Rifleman and The Big Valley, Jules Levy alternated frequently and seamlessly between work in television and film. Born in Los Angeles in February of 1923, Levy was raised in Beverly Hills and would later join the Army Air Force to fight in World War II. It was while serving under Ronald Reagan at Culver City's Hal Roach Studios that Levy would make the acquaintance of Arthur Gardner and Arnold Laven, and the trio would later move on to form a production company. Serving in various producer capacities from the early '40s to the mid-'70s, Levy was involved with such films as The Boys From Syracuse and the 1967 Elvis musical Clambake. Though he would produce over 30 films in the course of his career, it was Levy's involvement in The Rifleman and The Big Valley for which he would be remembered most. In late May of 2003, Jules Levy died in his Los Angeles home following an extended illness. He was 80.
by Jason Buchanan
biography
