Aaron Ruben

Aaron Ruben (March 1, 1914 - January 30, 2010) was an American television director known for The Andy Griffith Show (1960) Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1964) and Sanford and Son (1972).

Aaron was married to actress Maureen Arthur, who guest starred as Marilyn O'Neill, an actress and classmate in Lamont's acting class, in the Season 3 opening episode of Sanford and Son titled "Lamont as Othello", from 1971 until his passing in 2010.

Early life
Ruben was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Polish Jewish immigrants. He grew up on the West Side of Chicago and attended Lewis Institute, but did not graduate. He was involved in theater in Chicago after leaving college. After service in the military he worked for studios and wrote for radio programs including Dinah Shore's program, George Burns and Gracie Allen's show and Fred Allen's show. He also co-wrote Milton Berle's 1947-48 radio series with Nat Hiken.

Television career
Aaron started his TV producing and directing career in 1954 when he directed the TV series Caesar's Hour (1954). He then directed eleven episodes of The Phil Silvers Show between 1957 and 1959 along with Silvers' CBS-TV special, Keep in Step (1959). He later produced The Andy Griffith Show (1960), working on that series for 5 seasons as producer, writer and story consultant. He went on to create the Andy Griffith spin-off Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1964), which turned out to be his only TV creation. Other credits include, The Headmaster (1970), Sanford and Son (1972), C.P.O. Sharkey starring Don Rickles (1976) and Teachers Only (1982). Aaron Ruben last did a voiceover in the videogame Buick Berle, 1954 (1995).

In 2003, Ruben won the Writers Guild of America, West's Valentine Davies Award for public service, for his work on behalf of abused children.

Primetime Emmy Award Nominations

 * 1972
 * Outstanding New Series: Sanford and Son - Shared with Bud Yorkin
 * Outstanding Series - Comedy: Sanford and Son - Shared with Bud Yorkin
 * 1973
 * Outstanding Comedy Series: Sanford and Son - Shared with Bud Yorkin

Death
He was married to actress Maureen Arthur. He died at 95 from pneumonia on January 30, 2010, at his home in Beverly Hills, California. He was just over a month away from his 96th birthday.