Millard Lampell originally made a name for himself in folk music as part of the influential Almanac Singers, which featured folk legends Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Lee Hays. Lampell and Guthrie wrote songs together and adapted traditional songs into labor anthems and pro-union messages. In 1966, Lampell was awarded an Emmy for his teleplay for the Hallmark Hall of Fame drama Eagle in a Cage. During his acceptance speech he revealed that despite having been blacklisted during the McCarthy era, he had been writing scripts for years under a pseudonym. Some of his screenplays include Chance Meeting (1959) and The Idol (1962). Notable teleplays include The Adams Chronicles and the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man (both 1976).
Before going professional, Lampell studied at the University of West Virginia on a football scholarship. It was there he gained his first exposure to the folk music that would so influence his life. In addition to song and scriptwriting, Lampell also wrote novels and the play The Wall which Billy Rose produced on Broadway.
Lampell died of lung cancer on October 3, 1997, at the age of 78.
