Stockton Briggle

Stockton Briggle was a theater and television producer and director best known for his work on the TV-movie Bridge to Silence and the 1987 miniseries The Alamo, as well as for his direction of stars including Dick Van Dyke and Rock Hudson.

In addition to producing the NBC miniseries The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory, starring James Arness, Brian Keith, Alec Baldwin, Raul Julia and David Ogden Stiers, Briggle produced the 1992 movie Willing to Kill: The Texas Cheerleader Story. He also produced and directed episodes of the 1980s ABC show Capitol and directed episodes of the CBS sitcom Alice.

In the 1970s, Briggle and his late partner Steven Willig founded Briggle/Willig Productions and worked with actors including Fannie Flagg, Brenda Vaccaro, James Farentino, Eve Arden, Donald O’Connor, Paul Lynde, Chita Rivera, Martha Raye, Eartha Kitt, Imogene Coca, Jack Gilford and Zsa Zsa Gabor. 

Briggle also helped Hudson, Van Dyke, Ann Miller and Joe Namath to establish solid standings on the stage. He directed Hudson in the 1977 musical Camelot, Van Dyke in Damn Yankees, Miller in Anything Goes and Namath in Li’l Abner.

In addition, he produced concerts for Ethel Merman and Constance Towers and directed Sian Phillips, Peter O’Toole’s wife, in a 1978 West End production of Spine Chiller.

Later in his career, Briggle worked as an interior designer for clients including Alyssa Milano. 

A food-lover, he also traveled the country giving cooking lessons, sharing recipes, and making meals. He often entertained guests including Ray Bradbury, Flagg and Hudson in Beverly Hills, where he moved in the 1980s.

Briggle died on March 22, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California. He was 79.