Carolyn Raskin, Producer of Frank Sinatra Specials and ‘Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,’ Dies at 97

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The trailblazing Emmy-awarded television producer, Carolyn Raskin, who contributed to four highly-acclaimed Frank Sinatra TV shows and the initial four seasons of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, has sadly passed away at the age of 97.

She passed away on September 24th at her residence in Sherman Oaks, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, with her nephew Mark Raskin sharing the news. Her loved ones decided to keep her passing private until this moment.

Raskin worked with Dinah Shore in various projects such as NBC’s “The Dinah Shore Chevy Show” from 1959 to 1963, her 1969 NBC special titled “Like Hep“, her syndicated daytime talk show “Dinah!” from 1974 to 1980, and her summer replacement series on CBS in 1976 called “Dinah and Her New Best Friends“.

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Raskin collaborated with Dinah Shore on several productions including “The Dinah Shore Chevy Show” on NBC from 1959-63, her 1969 NBC special “Like Hep“, her syndicated daytime talk show “Dinah!” from 1974 to 1980, and her summer replacement series on CBS in 1976 called “Dinah and Her New Best Friends“.

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Raskin teamed up with Dinah Shore for projects like “The Dinah Shore Chevy Show” on NBC from 1959-63, her 1969 NBC special “Like Hep“, her syndicated daytime talk show “Dinah!” from 1974 to 1980, and her summer replacement series on CBS in 1976 called “Dinah and Her New Best Friends“.

In 1968, she was recognized as “Woman of the Year” by the Los Angeles Times, an honor bestowed upon her due to her remarkable achievements in television.

Born on the 22nd of August, 1927, in Sioux City, Iowa, I found myself. After completing my education at the University of Iowa, I chose a career as a social worker. However, it became increasingly disheartening to immerse myself daily in such profound challenges, as I confided to the Times. “It was soul-crushing to spend my days advising others on their life paths – how could I, at just 21, claim to know?

In 1957, Raskin relocated to Los Angeles and secured a job as a typist in the music department at CBS, which were among the limited television opportunities for women back then. She managed to secure a role as a producer’s assistant on The Dinah Shore Chevy Show in 1959, and from 1961 to 1963, she served as an associate producer on that very program.

Following her stint on ABC’s brief run of the “Jerry Lewis Show” in 1963, Raskin collaborated on NBC’s “Frank Sinatra: A Man and His Music” specials in 1965, 1966, and 1967. The initial production, which garnered both an Emmy and a Peabody Award, commemorated the singer’s 50th birthday. She also oversaw another Sinatra special for CBS in 1969.

Raskin initially worked as an associate producer on NBC’s “Laugh-In” in 1967. Over the next three seasons, she advanced to a co-producer role until March 1971. During this time, she was nominated for four Emmys for her contributions to the show and won one in 1969, which she shared with Paul Keyes, Dan Rowan, and Dick Martin.

In 1970, she earned an Emmy nomination for her work on the Sinatra special, and then in 1976, she was awarded a Daytime Emmy for producing Dinah!.

Shore’s “Like Hep” show bore some resemblance to “Laugh-In,” and it was the brainchild of its producer, George Schlatter.

Additionally, Raskin was responsible for creating Jim Nabors’ daytime syndicated show in 1978, a TV pilot featuring Arte Johnson from ‘Laugh-In’, the 1982 syndicated program titled ‘Laugh Trax’, and specials fronted by Roger Miller, Wayne Newton, Diahann Carroll, Helen Reddy, Beverly Sills, and Bob Hope.

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Raskin was involved in several productions such as Jim Nabors’ daytime syndicated show from 1978, a TV pilot with Arte Johnson from ‘Laugh-In’, the 1982 syndicated show named ‘Laugh Trax’, and special episodes hosted by Roger Miller, Wayne Newton, Diahann Carroll, Helen Reddy, Beverly Sills, and Bob Hope.

Additionally, she led Ozzy Osbourne during a live performance in Salt Lake City back in 1984, a time when he was touring in support of his “Bark at the Moon” album.

She once mentioned that there are three essential aspects in this field. The first is creative ingenuity, followed by determination and growth. I fall under the third category; my role is centered around connection.

Apart from Denise, Raskin’s niece, she leaves behind two more nephews, Barry and Greg. It’s worth noting that she did not marry or have any children of her own.

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2025-05-07 03:24