Richard L. Bare, ‘Green Acres’ Director, Dies at 101

Richard L. Bare, who wrote and directed hundreds of episodes of classic TV shows including “Green Acres” and “Twilight Zone,” died March 28 in Newport Beach, Calif. He was 101.

Most episodes of TV series “Green Acres” were directed by Bare, who also directed episodes of “Maverick” — he’s credited with the discovery of James Garner. Bare also directed the “Twilight Zone” episode titled “To Serve Man,” one of the series’ most famous installments. He directed the pilot of “77 Sunset Strip” as well as episodes of “Route 66,” “Maverick,” “Petticoat Junction” and “Nanny and the Professor,” as well as dozens of other series.

Born in Modesto, Calif., Bare was a film enthusiast from an early age, even building a small theater in his home as a young man. Bare graduated from USC film school, where he would later teach.

Bare began his career in the 1940s at Warner Bros., where he was contracted to write and direct a collection of short films about character Joe McDoakes, with titles such as “So You Want to Be a Detective” and “So You’re Going to Be a Father.”

Out of the director’s chair, Bare channeled his Hollywood experiences into a guide to directing, authoring the book “The Film Director.”

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