Marty Callner, Emmy-Nominated Live Events Director and ‘Hard Knocks’ Creator, Dies at 78

The 12-time Emmy nominee pioneered the modern-day stand-up comedy special

Marty Callner at the Los Angeles premiere of "Hard Knocks: Training Camp With the Los Angeles Rams" (Credit: Michael Tran/FilmMagic)
Marty Callner at the Los Angeles premiere of "Hard Knocks: Training Camp With the Los Angeles Rams" (Credit: Michael Tran/FilmMagic)

Marty Callner, the renowned director of stand-up specials, music videos and concerts as well as the creator of HBO’s sports docuseries “Hard Knocks,” has died. He was 78.

Through the years, Callner helmed specials and concerts with banner names like Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Cher, Aerosmith, Garth Brooks and even discovered Paul Reubens. He also helmed a number of the most iconic music videos like Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time” and a number of the biggest hair metal era tunes including Aerosmith’s “Cryin’,” “Crazy,” “Amazing,” “Livin’ on the Edge,” “Sweet Emotion,” “Dude Looks Like a Lady” and “Love in an Elevator,” along with Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again.”

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