David L. Wolper, Executive Producer of 'Roots,' Dies at 82

David L. Wolper, the award-winning producer best known for his work on the television miniseries Roots, died Tuesday night at his Beverly Hills home of heart disease and complications from Parkinson's disease, according to wire reports. He was 82.

Born in 1928 in New York City, Wolper attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and then studied cinema and journalism at the University of Southern California.

After leaving USC in 1949, Wolper and high school friend Jim Harris and others set up their own television distribution company, Flamingo Films. Eventually, Wolper began producing documentaries, including the Oscar-nominated The Race for Space (1959). Narrated by Mike Wallace, it was the nation's first report about the Soviet and American space race, according to Wolper's personal website.

Wolper made his mark on television by producing miniseries such as The Thorn Birds and the widely acclaimed Roots, based on Alex Haley's novel.

He went on to produce television shows, including Chico and the Man and Welcome Back, Kotter, and also produced popular films such as Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and L.A. Confidential.

Wolper is also known as the mastermind behind the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

In 1985, he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Wolper's 50-year collection of papers, photographs, scripts and other memorabilia is housed at the David L. Wolper Center in USC's Doheny Library.

According to Wolper's website, he and his company have made more than 300 films and television shows that have won more than 150 awards, including Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes and Peabodys.

Wolper is survived by his wife, Gloria; children Mark, Michael and Leslie; and 10 grandchildren.