Ed Sherin, an Emmy-winning “Law & Order” executive producer and acclaimed Broadway director has died. He was 87.
The experienced director, whose credits include the films “Valdez is Coming” and “Glory Boy (aka My Old Man’s Place)” as well as TV shows like “Hill Street Blues,” “Moonlighting” and “L.A. Law,” was a member of the Directors’ Guild of America for more than 50 years. Sherin took home one Emmy Award and eight nominations for his work as executive producer and director on Dick Wolf’s police procedural “Law & Order.”
For his extensive work in theater, Sherin won a Drama Desk Award for The Great White Hope and a Tony nomination for “Find Your Way Home,” as well as the New York Drama Critics Award and an Off-Broadway Obie Award.
Sherin served on the DGA National Board for 15 years, including three terms as National Vice President from 1997-2003 and two terms as Second Vice President from 2003-2007. News of his passing was announced by the guild on Friday.
“We are deeply saddened to learn today of the passing of Ed Sherin, whose membership in this Guild spanned more than five decades and whose service was immeasurable,” DGA President Paris Barclay said. “Many of us worked with Ed for decades, either in Guild leadership or on Law & Order, the seminal New York-based television show he directed and produced for years. Ed loved the Guild, and though he was passionate about the East Coast and revitalizing New York production in particular, his tireless advocacy was always on behalf of all our members. Above all, Ed believed deeply that the more unified we were as a Guild, and the more we reached out and supported each other, the stronger we would become, and he was absolutely right. We will miss him greatly.”
“Our hearts are heavy today as we remember our dear friend and colleague Ed, whose legacy as a director, commitment to our Guild, and strength and fervor in his service were an example for us all,” added Secretary-Treasurer Michael Apted, who was DGA President when Ed was National Vice President. “Through Law & Order and his passion for mentorship, he gave critical first-break opportunities to more episodic directors, assistant directors and UPMs than perhaps any other member in the Guild’s history. And during his tenure as National Vice President, our presence on the East Coast grew immensely through his work to embed our Guild in the business, culture and landscape of New York including our revitalized New York headquarters and DGA Honors, our signature New York event. Ed was the rising tide that lifted all the boats around him. His ability to make the tough calls and tough decisions prioritized the unity of our membership and greater good. When he was by your side, you knew there was nothing you couldn’t accomplish. ”
“Ed loved life, loved people and he loved his Guild. He attacked problems with commitment and conviction. His leadership and energy not only reinvigorated the New York membership but also inspired many others to become involved in Guild service,” said National Executive Director Jay D. Roth. “As National Vice President, he knew that getting active working members directly involved in Guild leadership was critical to making sure that the Guild’s membership was represented by those who truly understood the issues directors and their teams faced daily. His role as a leader to establish working-in-trade rules for leadership in the 1990s ensured that the Guild continues to be led by active working members to this day, creating a lasting legacy of effective and committed service and leadership. And most importantly, Ed was a caring and loyal friend. My thoughts are with Jane, his family and the many Guild members whose lives he touched.”