Prolific TV Director And Race Car Driver Bruce Kessler Dead At 88

By Kahlil Worrell

Bruce Kessler, known for his work as a TV director on popular shows such as 'The Monkees,' 'It Takes a Thief,' 'The Rockford Files,' 'McCloud,' and 'The Commish,' alongside his diverse pursuits in race car driving, boat design, and global voyages aboard yachts, has died.

He was 88.

Kessler passed away on Thursday at his residence in Marina del Rey following a brief illness, as confirmed by his brother, acclaimed author and columnist Stephen Kessler to The Hollywood Reporter.

He is survived by his wife, actress Joan Freeman, renowned for her role as the love interest of Elvis Presley's character in 'Roustabout' (1964). Their enduring partnership spanned 54 years, with 33 of those years spent in marriage.

Prior to his extensive television directing career spanning three decades, Kessler served as the second-unit director on Howard Hawks' action-packed film 'Red Line 7000' (1965), which centered around stock car racing and starred James Caan.

Bruce Kessler & wife
(Photo : Instagram)

Bruce Michael Kessler, born on March 23, 1936, in Seattle, moved to Los Angeles with his family in 1946, where his parents, Jack and Nina, established a flourishing ladies swimwear enterprise alongside fashion designer Rose Marie Reid. The family's success led them to relocate to Beverly Hills, where Kessler formed friendships with racing enthusiasts and future actors James Dean and Steve McQueen.

Throughout his prolific career, Kessler directed episodes for numerous iconic television series, including 'The Flying Nun,' 'Adam-12,' 'Riptide,' 'MacGyver,' 'The Commish,' and 'Renegade,' with his final episode airing in 1997.

During his youth, Kessler earned the moniker "Little Lead Foot" after showcasing his racing prowess in amateur auto races at the age of 17 driving his mother's Jaguar XK120. However, his promising career was marred by several harrowing incidents.

In 1958, Kessler endured severe injuries in a fiery crash during the 24 Hours of Le Mans while piloting a Ferrari alongside Dan Gurney. The following year, he slipped into a coma for days after a race accident in Pomona, California. Despite recovering, Kessler faced another serious crash in Riverside, California, in 1962, prompting his retirement from the sport.

Kessler transitioned into directing and producing with the documentary, 'The Sound of Speed,' in 1962, which highlighted the Scarab race car he helped build. This led to roles as a technical adviser and script supervisor for action films. He directed episodes of 'The Monkees' and films 'Angels From Hell' and 'Killers Three.' His directorial journey continued with movies including 'The Gay Deceivers' and 'Simon, King of the Witches,' along with television films like 'Murder in Peyton Place.'

Kessler, alongside naval architect Steve Seaton, played a pivotal role in designing Delta Marine's first recreational motor yacht, a 70-foot vessel named Zopilote, launched in 1985.

Bruce Kessler's yacht — (Photo : Instagram)

Continuing his maritime ventures, Kessler contributed to the construction of the Seaton-designed, 64-foot Spirit of Zopilote, delivered in 1997. Accompanied by his wife, Kessler lived and voyaged aboard this vessel for 27 years, during which he amassed over 100,000 nautical miles and 25,000 hours as the captain of his own ships.