Beryl Vertue

Beryl Vertue is an English television producer responsible for some of Britain's favorite comedy series. She got her start as an agent for several comedians before moving on to a producer role. In 1967 she was invited to join the Stigwood Organisation where she pioneered the concept of selling television formats in Europe and America. Two of her big successes during this period were "Till Death Do Us Part," which became Norman Lear's longstanding series "All in the Family," and "Steptoe and Son," which became the American hit "Sanford and Son." After years of producing hit television series at home and abroad, Vertue decided it was time to start her own independent production company, Hartswood Films. Throughout the years Hartswood has accumulated a long string of successful series in a variety of genres including dramatic made-for-TV movies, light-hearted sitcoms like "Men Behaving Badly," and popular documentaries about English culture and history. One of her most successful ventures was the BBC2 comedy series "Coupling," which became a massive hit in England and was co-produced by her daughter, Sue Vertue, and written by her son-in-law, Steven Moffat. Beryl Vertue has won numerous awards and accolades for her contribution to English television, and in 1999, she was made a member of the Royal Television Society's Hall of Fame. Beryl Vertue died February 12, 2022 at the age of 90.