Philip Rogers, Acclaimed Producer and Hollywood Veteran, Passes Away at 90
Philip Rogers, a distinguished producer known for his work on the 1960s ABC sitcom Love on a Rooftop and the action-packed film Shoot to Kill (1988), has sadly passed away at the age of 90. His wife, Stephanie Rogers, publicly shared the news of his death, which occurred on February 27 at their home in Las Vegas.
Notable Career Contributions
As the president of Century Park Pictures, Rogers took on the role of executive producer for Shoot to Kill, a film directed by Roger Spottiswoode featuring the talents of Sidney Poitier, Tom Berenger, and Kirstie Alley.
Following this, he led PhiliPiCo Pictures, where he was instrumental in developing several telefilms for Lifetime, including The Haunting of Lisa (1996), which starred Cheryl Ladd, and The Hired Heart (1997), featuring Penelope Ann Miller.
Later Years and Projects
In 2000, Rogers made the decision to relocate from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. His later works included the 2001 thriller Blind Terror, which was released straight-to-video and starred renowned actress Nastassja Kinski.
A Glimpse into His Early Life
Born on July 26, 1934, in Oxnard, California, Rogers was signed to an acting contract with 20th Century Fox at a young age. He completed his education at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles and earned a bachelor’s degree in dramatic arts from California State University, Los Angeles.
Before venturing into the film industry, Rogers played minor-league baseball with the Portland Beavers and later served for two years in the U.S. Army’s Special Services, where he was an emcee for a touring choral group.
Career Beginnings and Advancement
Rogers launched his Hollywood career as a casting director at Screen Gems, a division of Columbia Pictures. He climbed the ranks to associate produce two notable ABC comedies: Love on a Rooftop (1966-67), which starred Peter Duel and Judy Carne, and The Ugliest Girl in Town (1968-69), featuring Peter Kastner in a unique role.
Throughout his career, he also held significant positions as a vice president at Universal Television, as a literary and talent agent, and was a partner in Barry & Enright/Rogers Productions. His dedication to the entertainment industry was further reflected by his membership in the film and television academies as well as the Hollywood Radio & TV Society.
Legacy and Survivors
Philip Rogers leaves behind his beloved wife and two sons, Jeffrey and Todd. The family is in the process of arranging celebrations of his life in both Las Vegas and Los Angeles, marking a heartfelt farewell to a remarkable figure in the entertainment world.