Who was Edward L. Rissien? ‘Castle Keep’ Producer Dead at 98

‘Castle Keep’ producer, Edward L. Rissien has died of natural causes at the age of 98. He died on April 8, 2023, but the news of his death went viral in May 2023.

He started his career in entertainment in Summer Stock in New York and Winter Stock in Palm Beach Florida. He served as an assistant stage manager on Broadway on South Pacific and stage manager on Midsummer. In 1954, he went on to work on the Mark Stevens series Big Town when he moved to Hollywood.

Rissien established Harry Belafonte’s film production company, HarBel Productions in 1959, and acquired the rights to Odds Against Tomorrow. He also contributed to several movies and tv shows including The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, Castle Keep, Snow Job, Saint Jack, The Crazy World of Julius Vrooder, and more.

He was announced dead by his nephew, Michael Zimberg, who is also an Emmy-nominated director.

“Eddie was a well-respected man who had beautiful taste in material. He was always looking for something that would make a difference,” Zimberg shared.