J. Kohn, 76; Movie Producer, Writer for Film and Television

John Kohn, 76, a writer, producer and production executive whose credits include television shows such as “Bachelor Father” and films such as “Racing With the Moon” and the cult favorite “Theater of Blood,” died of cancer May 4 at his home in Sherman Oaks.

The son of a New York rabbi, Kohn flew 36 missions as a tail gunner in the Air Force during World War II before earning a degree at UCLA. After graduating, he went to work as a radio writer, later moving into television as a staff writer on shows such as “Bachelor Father,” “How to Marry a Millionaire,” “The Ann Sothern Show,” “My Little Margie” and “Dobie Gillis.”

In 1959, he moved to Europe, where he eventually settled in London and produced his first film, “Reach for Glory.” His next project was co-writing with Stanley Mann an adaptation of “The Collector,” directed by William Wyler; he and Mann were nominated for a best screenplay Oscar.

From 1979 to 1983, Kohn was head of production for EMI in the United States and was involved in producing such movies as “The Jazz Singer” and “Tender Mercies.” He independently produced “Racing With the Moon” and “Shanghai Surprise.”