When Harry Friedman went to Las Vegas in June for the 38th annual Daytime Emmy Awards, he thought nothing could possibly be more rewarding than having one of his two nominated TV shows take home the coveted statue for Outstanding Game/Audience Participation program. But he was wrong.
Friedman, son of the late Rose and David Friedman of Prairie Village, is executive producer of the two most successful syndicated TV shows of all time, “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” In an unprecedented turn of events, there was a tie in the category and both shows won Emmy Awards, making Friedman the first producer ever to win two Emmys in the same category in a tie with himself. The rare double win brought Friedman his ninth and 10th Emmys following 32 nominations.
Since leaving the Kansas City area in 1971, Friedman has enjoyed a successful career as a television writer and producer in Los Angeles but still maintains close local ties, especially with first cousins Felicia Weiner, Marlene Krakow, Mort Zevitz and Gary Friedman.
