William Lehman (1914–1991) was an American film director and producer best known for his work in the horror genre. Born in New York City on June 7, 1914, Lehman began his career as an assistant director on the 1938 film The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He later directed a number of low-budget horror films in the 1940s and 1950s, including the cult classic The Beast with Five Fingers (1946) and The She-Creature (1956).
In the 1960s, Lehman moved into television, directing episodes of westerns such as Gunsmoke and Bonanza, as well as the science fiction series The Outer Limits. He also directed several episodes of the popular comedy series Get Smart. His later feature films included the cult horror film The Velvet Vampire (1971) and the Andy Griffith vehicle The Strangers in 7A (1972).
Lehman won critical acclaim for his work on the 1975 television movie The Legend of Lizzie Borden, which won him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Drama or Comedy Special. He followed this up with another television movie, The Gentleman Killer, in 1977.
In addition to his work in television and film, Lehman also directed several stage productions, including the musicals The Apple Tree and Irene. He also directed the 1975 Broadway production of Neil Simon’s The Sunshine Boys, starring Jack Albertson and Jack Gilford.
Lehman’s final film credit was for the 1982 horror film, The Entity, starring Barbara Hershey. He died on April 11, 1991, in Los Angeles, California.
Throughout his long career, Lehman directed more than 50 films and television shows, and his work was praised for its visual style and its ability to create tension and suspense. He was a master of the horror genre and his films continue to be appreciated by fans of the genre.
