| Tony Geiss | |
| Birth Name: | Nicholas Anthony Geiss |
| Birth Date: | November 16, 1924 |
| Birth Place: | Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Death Place: | Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Years Active: | 1967–2009 |
| Spouse: | Phyllis Eisen (d. 2010) |
Nicholas Anthony "Tony" Geiss (November 16, 1924 – January 21, 2011) was an American producer, screenwriter, songwriter and author, known principally for his children's work. During his time at Sesame Street, he created the iconic Elmo's World. He co-wrote the animated film An American Tail (1986) and co-created The Land Before Time franchise. Geiss won 17 Daytime Emmy Awards and was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in 1984.[1]
Geiss was born in Manhattan to Jewish emigrants Alexander "Alec" Geiss (1896–1974) and Doris Marjorie Thirer (1899–1980). He grew up in Greenwich Village, where he was exposed to the arts and entertainment. His father, who was born in Kropyvnytskyi, Ukraine,[2] was a painter and animator.[3] His mother, a press agent, was born in England of Romanian and Polish descent,[4] and helped promote American interest in foreign films after World War II.[5]
Geiss served two years as a radar technician in the US Navy during WWII.[6] He graduated from Cornell University in 1946.[3]
Geiss wrote for The David Frost Show and for comedians including Dick Cavett and Bill Cosby.[1]
Geiss was a staff writer and songwriter for Sesame Street and wrote for iconic characters Elmo, Big Bird, and Kermit the Frog.[6] He wrote Don't Eat the Pictures (1983), for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.[1]
Geiss was a writer for The Land Before Time (1988) and the associated book. He was also a producer and writer for the Don Bluth film An American Tail (1986).[6]
Geiss died at the age of 86 on January 21, 2011, from complications from a neck injury caued by a fall at his home in Manhattan, New York.[6]