Millard Kaufman

Because he was merely a writer Millard Kaufman's death won't get much press but when you consider his many contributions to our pleasure and our culture, he was an important man indeed. EG

From Variety:
Millard Kaufman dies
Writer co-created Mr. Magoo at UPA
By PAT SAPERSTEIN

Oscar-nommed screenwriter and novelist Millard Kaufman died of heart failure March 14 in Los Angeles. He was 92.
With animator John Hubley, Kaufman created the nearsighted Mr. Magoo character, voiced by Jim Backus, for the 1949 short "Ragtime Bear" at UPA Productions. Kaufman modeled the nearsighted character in part on his curmudgeonly uncle. He also wrote the story for UPA's "Punchy de Leon" short.

In 1954, his screenplay for WWII boot camp drama, "Take the High Ground" was Oscar-nommed. He was again nommed for Western "Bad Day at Black Rock," starring Spencer Tracy.

During the McCarthy Era, Kaufman risked his career by lending his name to the screenplay "Gun Crazy," by blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. Initially unsure whether he should help out, he consulted with his wife. "But we discussed it and we believed it was rotten that a man couldn't write under his own name," Kaufman told Daily Variety in 1992. That year he officially requested the Writers Guild of America West take his name off the credits, replacing it with Trumbo's name. "I've been telling people for years that I didn't write that movie, but I guess it never becomes official until it appears in the newspaper," Kaufman said.

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Born in Baltimore, Kaufman graduated Johns Hopkins U. and then worked as a newspaper reporter. During WWII, he served in the Marines and earned a bronze star. He moved with his wife to Hollywood after the war to recuperate from the malaria and dengue fever he had contracted in the South Pacific.

Kaufman also authored screenwriting text "Plots and Characters," published in 1999. He lectured on screenwriting at the institutions including the Sundance Institute, Johns Hopkins, UCLA, and USC, and was a mentor to many aspiring writers. His second novel, "Misadventure," will be published by McSweeney's later this year.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lorraine; two daughters, a son and seven grandchildren.

Donations may be made to The Motion Picture and Television Fund.