Hildy Parks, who, for two decades, wrote the Tony Award telecasts produced by her husband Alexander Cohen, has died of complications from a stroke. She was 78.
Parks died Thursday at The Actors’ Fund Home in Englewood, N.J., said her son, Christopher Cohen.
Besides the Tonys, Parks’ other television writing and producing credits include two Emmy Awards telecasts, and such specials as “Placido Domingo: Steppin’ Out With the Ladies,” “Night of 100 Stars,” “Night of 100 Stars II,” “Parade of Stars” and “Night of 100 Stars III.”
Born in Washington, D.C., Parks graduated from the University of Virginia and came to New York to be an actress. She made her Broadway debut in 1947 in “Bathsheba,” which starred James Mason and Gloria Swanson.
In the 1950s, Parks appeared on many television shows, including “Philco Playhouse” and “Studio One,” and had a long-running role on the soap opera “Love of Life.”
Besides Christopher, Parks is survived by her son, Gerry, and a stepdaughter, Barbara. Alexander Cohen died in 2000.