April 12, 2025
Los Angeles – Directors Guild of America (DGA) President Lesli Linka Glatter made the following statement today upon learning of the passing of DGA Lifetime Achievement in Television recipient, Don Mischer.
“The Directors Guild is heartbroken by the loss of legendary live television Director Don Mischer.Don was simply iconic – his mastery of directing live events was a fast-paced symphony of meticulous planning combined with on-the-spot decision-making that elevated our nation’s greatest cultural events, always capturing the human spirit behind them. From the Oscars to the Super Bowl halftime show, to the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, political conventions and inaugurations, Don’s skill as a Director elevated the emotions, excitement and importance of these live worldwide moments, creating lifelong memories for audiences around the world.
But more importantly to his fellow Directors and directorial team members, Don was a guiding force as a mentor, colleague and friend whose radiant spirit brought an infectious joy to every project and team who had the fortune to work with him. And no matter how busy his schedule, Don always gave back – serving his Guild on the National Board, Western Directors Council, the BA/FLTTA Negotiations Committee and as Chair of the DGA Awards. For his excellence in the craft, Don won 10 DGA Awards, was nominated for an additional eight and as a capstone to his amazing career, received the Guild’s Lifetime Achievement in Television Award in 2019. The DGA is grieving this tremendous loss alongside Don’s family and friends, deeply saddened by the passing of this incredible director who touched so many lives with his compassionate heart.”
Service and Awards:
Don Mischer joined the DGA in 1971. He served five terms on the DGA National Board as a member or alternate from 2013-2023; six terms on the Western Directors Council as a Council member or alternate, was a member of the DGA’s BA/FLTTA Negotiations Committee in 2020 and 2023 and served as the DGA Awards Chair three times for the 71st, 72nd and 73rd Awards.
In 2019, Mischer was the fourth recipient of the DGA Lifetime Achievement Award for Distinguished Achievement in Television Direction.
He won 10 DGA Awards for the following: We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial; Opening Ceremonies: Atlanta Olympic Games; Gregory Hines: Tap Dance In America; Motown Returns to the Apollo; Baryshnikov by Tharp; Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever; Shirley MacLaine...Illusion; and three times for the Kennedy Center Honors (1978, 1979 and 1980.)
He was nominated for an additional eight DGA Awards for: the 85th, 84th and 83rd Annual Academy Awards; Barbra Streisand “Timeless”; Made in the USA with Mikail Barishnikov; Kennedy Center Honors (1982); Goldie and Liza Together; and the Third Barry Manilow Special.
Click here to view Don Mischer's DGA Visual History Interview.