Bill Asher, "I Love Lucy" director, dies at 90
(CBS/AP) PALM DESERT, Calif. - Bill Asher, the director and producer behind classic TV shows like "I Love Lucy" and "Bewitched," has died. He was 90.
His wife, Meredith, says he died Monday at a facility in Palm Desert, Calif., of complications from Alzheimer's disease.
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Asher was best known for his work on "I Love Lucy," where he directed Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz for 100 of the show's 181 episodes between 1952 and 1957.
He also produced and directed "The Patty Duke Show" and "Bewitched," which starred his then-wife Elizabeth Montgomery as the mortal-marrying witch Samantha Stephens. Montgomery and Asher had three children together.
Asher brought Sally Field to TV screens in "Gidget," and took the same sensibility to movies as director of the teen romps "Beach Blanket Bingo" and "Beach Party," starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.
According to the Desert Sun, Asher is survived by his wife, daughters Liane Sears and Rebecca Asher, sons Brian, Bill Jr., Robert and John, four step-children, nine grandchildren and and eight step-grandchildren.
A memorial is reportedly scheduled for Sept. 29 at Desert Springs Church in Palm Desert.