Daryl Duke

Daryl Duke was born in Vancouver in March 1929. A graduate of the University of British Columbia, he began as a film editor, writer and director for the National Film Board of Canada. His subsequent award winning career spanned a wide range of accomplishments in feature films, television dramas, documentary and television specials. On many productions, he served as Producer and as Executive Producer. In a career of over half a century, Daryl worked for both Canadian television networks, all three of the main U.S. networks and for most of the major film studios in Hollywood. His film and television assignments took him to South America, China, the countries of South-East Asia and India, as well as the Middle East, Yugoslavia, Europe and England.

His direction of the mini-series “The Thorn Birds” was Emmy nominated. He won the award for his direction of “The Day the Lion Died” an episode of “The Senator” television series for NBC. His production of “I Heard The Owl Call My Name”for CBS, filmed on Vancouver Island, earned him a Christopher Award and his film “The Silent Partner” was an official entry at the Cannes Film Festival.

Daryl originated the first television shows from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s station in Vancouver, CBUT, which aired first in 1953. There he produced and directed variety programs, classical music series, dramas and public affairs documentaries for the network and west coast audiences. Other CBC series included “Close Up” and “Sunday”, profiling distinguished authors and political leaders, “Explorations” and “Quest” for which he was named ‘Entertainment Star of the Year’

In the mid 1970’s Daryl founded and launched the independent Vancouver television station CKU-TV which, under his stewardship, became one of the highest rated stations in the area. In the year 2,000 he was inducted into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters “Broadcast Hall of Fame and won the “John Drainie” award in 2004.  Daryl Duke died of pulmonary thrombosis in October 2006