Charles Stern

Leonard Bernard Stern (1922–2011) was an American screenwriter, producer, and director, best known as a co-creator of the word game Mad Libs. He began his career in radio, contributing to the Abbott and Costello show, which led to screenwriting work for their films and others at Universal Pictures. Stern also wrote for "budget" studios, sometimes under the pseudonym Max Adams when he felt less proud of the material, such as for The Bowery Boys comedies.

His television career included writing for "The Jackie Gleason Show" and "The Honeymooners." Stern went on to create the series "I'm Dickens, He's Fenster," which he revived later in life, and was an executive producer and writer for the hit show "Get Smart." He also produced and directed "McMillan & Wife." In print media, he was involved with Price Stern Sloan, publishing Mad Libs and Droodles, and later co-founded Tallfellow Press. Stern received two Emmy Awards for his television writing.

Born in New York City, Leonard Stern studied journalism at New York University and served as a Women's Army Corps recruiter during World War II. His early screenwriting career began in partnership with Martin Ragaway. Together, they contributed to the script for Abbott and Costello's independent film "Africa Screams" (1949) without credit. This association led to further screenplay work for Universal Pictures, where they wrote for Abbott and Costello, "Ma and Pa Kettle," and Donald O'Connor films. During this period, Stern married actress Julie Adams. He also wrote for "budget" studios, using the pseudonym Max Adams for comedies like "Let's Go Navy!" and "Crazy Over Horses" when he felt less enthusiastic about the projects. Stern also collaborated on the screenplay for the 1952 version of "The Jazz Singer."

Stern transitioned to television in the 1950s, writing for "The Jackie Gleason Show" and "The Honeymooners." His work with Gleason necessitated a move to New York, which coincided with the dissolution of his marriage to Julie Adams. He continued to work with prominent figures like Phil Silvers and Steve Allen, remaining with Allen for five years. Stern created the television series "I'm Dickens, He's Fenster," which garnered praise and even a fan letter from Stan Laurel. He was also a writer and executive producer for the acclaimed spy parody "Get Smart," for which he developed the signature opening credits. In the 1970s, he produced and directed "McMillan & Wife." Stern was a co-creator, with Roger Price, of the popular word game Mad Libs, and was senior vice president of Price Stern Sloan, the company that published it.

In addition to his work in television and games, Stern co-founded Tallfellow Press with Larry Sloan after Roger Price's death, acquiring rights to "Droodles." He also co-wrote "A Martian Wouldn't Say That" (2000). His final professional endeavor involved seeking to revive "I'm Dickens, He's Fenster," locating and reclaiming the original film negatives in 2006 with the hope of introducing the series to new audiences. Although a DVD release followed his death, Stern did not live to see it. He passed away in 2011 at the age of 88 from heart failure. He was married to actress Gloria Stroock for 55 years and had two children. Stern received two Emmy Awards during his career for his writing on "The Phil Silvers Show" and "Get Smart."