Robert Kaufman
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Bibliography
Notes
In 1968 Kaufman served as a writer for Robert Kennedy's Presidential campaign in Los Angeles and in 1984 he was a writer for Gary Hart's Presidential campaign.
Biography
After a stint as a New York press agent and comedy writer for Dick Shawn and Mort Sahl, moved to Los Angeles where he joined Universal Pictures as a writer of TV comedies such as the Emmy-winning "The Bob Newhart Show" (for which as head writer he was also nominated for an Emmy), "McHale's Navy" and "I Dream of Jeannie." Kaufman also contributed to episodes of "Combat" and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" before writing his first screenplay for the AIP film "Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine" in 1965.
Specializing in film comedies, Kaufman was nominated for an Oscar for the story for "Divorce American Style" (1967) and wrote screenplays for the college spoof "Getting Straight" (1970), the marital comedy "I Love My...Wife" (1970), "Freebie and the Bean" (1974), "Harry and Walter Go to New York" (1976), the popular Dracula spoof "Love at First Bite" (1979), which he also executive produced, and "She's Out of Control" (1989). He died of a heart attack in 1991.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Editing (Feature Film)
Music (Feature Film)
Life Events
1952
Worked as a freelance press agent in New York for Dick Shawn and Mort Sahl
1961
Became head writer for the TV series, "The Bob Newhart Show"
1965
First screenplay credit, "Dr Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine"
1967
Wrote original story for "Divorce American Style"
1968
Produced first TV series, "The Ugliest Girl in Town" (also writer)
1979
Served as executive producer and screenwriter of "Love at First Bite"
1980
Produced first feature, "How to Beat the High Cost of Living"
1989
Executive produced, "She's Out of Control"
Videos
Movie Clip
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i405/drgoldfootandthebikinimachine_dayaftertomorrow_FC_470x264_052020161230.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i405/drgoldfootandthebikinimachine_iwantthemtoseethis_FC_470x264_052020161228.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i375/divorceamericanstyle_stopatthebank_FC_HD_2997_470x264_100820150106.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i375/divorceamericanstyle_thesundayfather_FC_235a_470x264_100820150113.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i375/divorceamericanstyle67_sincewhendomengrowup_FC_235a.1_470x264_100820150339.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i372/freebieandthebean_lastweekitwasyourpants_FC_HD_2398_224x104_081820150410.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i372/freebieandthebean_icouldvemaditinmyporsche_FC_HD_2398_224x104_081820150424.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i372/freebieandthebean_mrinconspicuous_FC_HD_2398_224x104_081820150412.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i375/divorceamericanstyle67_opening_FC_235a_470x264_100820150109.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i375/divorceamericanstyle67_frenchbread_FC_235a_470x264_100820150112.jpg?w=400)
Trailer
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i371/freebieandthebean_TR_SD_2997_224x104_081820150152.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i160/drgoldfootandthebikinimachine_tr_223x104_031620121202.jpg?w=400)
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com/v5cache/TCM/Images/Dynamic/i160/skiparty_tr_223x104_030920121254.jpg?w=400)
Family
Companions
![](https://prod-images.tcm.com//img/global/logo-AFI.png)
Bibliography
Notes
In 1968 Kaufman served as a writer for Robert Kennedy's Presidential campaign in Los Angeles and in 1984 he was a writer for Gary Hart's Presidential campaign.