Michael Stevens

Michael Ashton Stevens (November 21, 1966 – October 15, 2015) was an American producer, writer and director who won seven Emmy Awards. Starting in 2002, he was the writer and producer of the annual Kennedy Center Honors. His productions of the TV special of the Honors event secured the show an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Special in five consecutive years – 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 – winning the award in the latter three years. His other work included writing and/or producing and/or directing many live events and TV productions including multiple productions of the annual Christmas in Washington TV special, several presentations of the AFI's The American Film Institute Salutes… specials and HBO's inaugural celebration in 2009 for President Barack Obama. Personal life and education Stevens was born in Washington, D.C., into an entertainment industry family. His paternal grandfather was film director George Stevens. His father George Stevens Jr. is a producer who created the American Film Institute. Other family members include actors Alice Howell and Yvonne Howell and the theatre critic, Ashton Stevens. Stevens died on October 20, 2015, of stomach cancer in Los Angeles.