Eugene Clair "Gene" Persson was an American actor, theatrical and film producer, best known for his work as the co-producer and co-creator of the original 1967 production of the Broadway musical comedy, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, as well as the show's 1999 Broadway revival, which won two Tony Awards.
13 Facts About Gene Persson
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Gene Persson was born in Long Beach, California the son of Oscar Persson and Leah Krascoff.
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Gene Persson began his career in entertainment as a child actor on radio, television and film, including one of the kids in Ma and Pa Kettle and two of its followups.
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Gene Persson soon began switching his career focus from acting to producing around the time of his marriage.
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Gene Persson produced a controversial play entitled The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald on Broadway in 1967.
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On screen, Persson produced Dutchman with Anthony Harvey, who was a first time director at the time of production.
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Knight and Gene Persson later divorced in 1969, but remained lifelong personal and professional friends.
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Gene Persson later collaborated with Tennessee Williams during the 1970s to produce the British revival of The Glass Menagerie as well as The Red Devil Battery Sign, both of which were produced in the United Kingdom.
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Gene Persson produced the 1973 television special of the original musical, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown for the Hallmark Hall of Fame.
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Gene Persson continued to produce stage productions for much of the next decade.
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Gene Persson was working on a musical stage version of the 1965 television holiday classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas, at the time of his death in 2008.
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Gene Persson died of a heart attack in Manhattan on June 6,2008, at the age of 74.
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Gene Persson was survived by his wife of 36 years, actress and artist Ruby Persson, and his three children, Kaitlin Hopkins, an actress; Lukas Persson, a filmmaker and writer; and Markus Persson, a musician.