Robert L. Joseph, 79; Writer-Producer for TV, Movies, Broadway

Robert L. Joseph, 79, a Broadway, film and television writer-producer, died Saturday of head injuries suffered in a fall in his East Chatham, N.Y., home.

On Broadway, Joseph produced an acclaimed version of “King Lear” starring Louis Calhern and directed by John Houseman, Shaw’s “Major Barbara” starring Charles Laughton, and “Tiger at the Gates” starring Michael Redgrave.

In London, he produced “Tiger at the Gates” with the same cast and “Brouhaha” starring Peter Sellers.

Joseph also wrote three Broadway plays: “Face of a Hero” starring Jack Lemmon, which first appeared as a “Playhouse 90” production on television; “The Isle of Children” starring Patty Duke; and his own adaptation of Strindberg’s “The Father” starring Raymond Massey and introducing Grace Kelly.

In films, Joseph wrote and produced “The Third Secret,” “Echoes of a Summer” and “Companions in Nightmare.” His movie of the week credits as a writer include “Dr. Max,” “SSII Death Flight” and “Sworn to Silence.” Among his mini-series as a writer were “Onassis,” “Crisis,” “The Source,” “The Word,” “Rage of Angels” and “The Sun Also Rises.”