NBC Karl Messerschmidt Dies

NBC tech director worked with studio more than 40 years, also directed

Santa Barbara, CA - Karl Messerschmidt Dies
Longtime NBC Technical Director

Karl Messerschmidt, a longtime technical director for NBC Studios in Burbank, California, died January 20 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara due to complications from a surgical procedure.

Messerschmidt began his television career following service in the U. S. Marine Corps. He started as a camera operator for NBC, and eventually became a technical director.

His many credits include The Dean Martin Show, Who’s the Boss?, A Different World, Cosby and many awards shows and specials. He also directed episodes of the daytime drama Santa Barbara.

After forty years with NBC he continued to work on a freelance basis.

Messerschmidt was nominated for numerous Primetime Emmy Awards and won two—in 1977, for Doug Henning’s World of Magic and in 1987 for Barbara Mandrell’s Christmas: A Family Reunion.

He is survived by his wife, Lois, five children and ten grandchildren.