Ian Crawford, a producer, director and former managing director of Crawford Productions, has passed away. He was 91 years old.
Ian Crawford, an orchestra conductor and nephew of media Titan Hector Crawford, joined the 20-year-old Crawford Productions just before television was introduced in Australia.
Until then, his uncle and mother, Dorothy Muriel Turner Crawford, produced many musical dramas on the radio under the banner before Hector Crawford Productions, then learned television production techniques and established a training facility at St. James Old Cathedral in West Melbourne.
Young Crawford served as a photographer, delivery boy, rodeo boy, script editor, script printer and more. Eventually, many of Crawford Productions worked to direct and produce many of the known titles, and at some point became known as the executive producer of drama output for all companies.
His producer credits include Sullivan, All River Operations, Murder, Matlock Police, Division 4, Cop Shop, Blue, Skyway, Carson Law, Flying Doctors, Henderson Kids and Zoo Family.
He also served as director of the multi-series, serving as 125 episodes of Division 4, 41 episodes of Matlock Police and 26 episodes of the final Australian.
In 1980, Crawford became the company’s managing director, and he held it until he and Hector sold their shares in the company towards the end of the decade.
He is survived by his wife Carol.
