Ted Thomas; Retired Producer, Writer

Ted Thomas, stage producer, television writer and the father of conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, has died at his Van Nuys home. He was 88.

Thomas died Wednesday of a heart attack, according to a family representative.

Born Theodore Hertzl Thomashefsky in New York City, he was the youngest son of Boris and Bessie Thomashefsky, stars of Yiddish theater in America. In order to gain his own reputation, he changed his name to Ted Thomas and began his theatrical career at age 19 as the assistant stage manager on Max Rheinhardt’s production of “The Miracle.”

Thomas later worked as an associate producer before coming to California in the late 1930s to work with actor Paul Muni. Thomas also was a dialogue coach, story editor and screen test editor for Warner Brothers, MGM, Universal, Columbia and Republic Pictures.

He later wrote for television and was a self-taught painter and composer.

In addition to his son Michael, Thomas is survived by his wife Roberta Thomas and brother Harry Thomashefsky.

A memorial service is planned for noon Wednesday at Mount Sinai Memorial Park, 5950 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles. Mount Sinai Mortuary is handling the arrangements.