February 4, 2020
Los Angeles – Directors Guild of America President Thomas Schlamme and former National Executive Director Jay D. Roth made the following statements upon learning of the passing of former DGA President Gene Reynolds:
“Gene’s influence on the modern Directors Guild of America was significant and lasting,” said Schlamme. “During his two terms as President, he dedicated himself to making the Guild more inclusive – broadening the leadership base, encouraging younger members to take leadership positions, strengthening ties between feature directors, pushing the industry to do better on diversity and working to modify DGA agreements so that filmmakers with low budgets could benefit from DGA membership. Gene’s commitment to the Guild lasted long after his presidency ended, regularly attending Board and Western Directors Council meetings, and never hesitating to share his thoughts. He was passionate about this Guild, spirited in his beliefs and dedicated until the end.”
“Gene was President when I became National Executive Director,” said Roth. “He was absolutely committed to revitalizing and modernizing the Guild and laying the groundwork for its growth into the future. He cared deeply about diversity and growing the leadership base of the Guild, and his passion for the DGA never wavered.”
DGA Service and Awards
Gene Reynolds joined the DGA in 1959. He held several positions on the National Board, including two terms as DGA President from 1993-1997. He also served on the Western Directors Council for more than two decades and held several offices on the Directors Guild Foundation Board of Trustees. He was chair of the 1993 Negotiating Committee and served on several other Negotiating Committees, as well as multiple terms on the Reality and Special Projects Committees. During his presidency, he conceived the idea of the DGA Student Film Awards – an annual competition recognizing outstanding women and minority students at film schools across the nation – and was chair of the Student Film Awards Committee since its inception.
In 1993, Reynolds received the DGA’s Robert B. Aldrich Achievement Award for his extraordinary service to the Guild and its members. He was also a three-time DGA Award-winner for television directing: twice in the Comedy Series category for the pilot of M*A*S*H (1972) and M*A*S*H – “Deal Me Out” (1973); and once in the Dramatic Series category for Lou Grant – “Prisoner” (1978).
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