David Wolper, producer of 'Roots,' dies at 82: David L. Wolper, whose landmark 1977 miniseries 'Roots' engrossed the nation with its saga of an American family descended from an African slave, has died. He was 82.Wolper died peacefully in his Beverly Hills home Tuesday evening while watching television with his wife Gloria, said spokesman Dale Olson. Wolper died of congestive heart disease and complications of Parkinson's disease, Olson said.
He was a consummate salesman and advocate for filmmakers, said Mel Stuart, a veteran feature director and documentarian who worked with Wolper for two decades.
'There was an excitement. Anything was possible because Dave could enable it. He was a dreamer who could make dreams come true,' said Stuart, who directed 'The Making of the President' documentaries and 'Willy Wonka,' among other Wolper-produced films.
