Washington: Harvey Laidman, an esteemed television director renowned for his work on shows like The Waltons and Scarecrow and Mrs. King, passed away at the age of 82 due to cancer on January 3 in a Simi Valley hospital, as reported by his son, Dan Laidman, to The Hollywood Reporter.
Throughout his impressive career spanning over three decades, Laidman directed episodes of various series including The Blue Knight, Family, Hawaii Five-O, Hunter, Kojak, Eight Is Enough, The Incredible Hulk, and Lou Grant. Born in 1942 in Cleveland to a librarian mother and an electrical contractor father, he gained early experience in theater with the Kenley Players in Ohio. Initially studying electrical engineering at Kent State, he later transferred to USC, where he earned a degree in cinema in 1964.
Laidman worked as an assistant director and unit production manager on the second and third seasons of CBS’s The Waltons from 1973 to 1975 before taking on the role of director for 11 episodes of the series from 1975 to 1981. He also directed 10 episodes of Scarecrow and Mrs. King from 1985 to 1987, 33 episodes of Matlock from 1988 to 1994, and 16 episodes of 7th Heaven between 1996 and 2004.
Later in life, Laidman pursued a doctorate in education and taught science, dedicating his time to teaching filmmaking at Cal State Northridge from 2011 until 2023. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his grandchildren, Mira and Talia; his sister, Laura; and of course, his son Dan. A memorial service to celebrate his life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday at Mount Sinai Hollywood Hills.