Remembering a Former Trustee and Television Pioneer

Philip Capice ’52 expressed lifelong allegiance to Dickinson

by MaryAlice Bitts

January 5, 2010

In 2003, President William G. Durden '71 and Eileen Fair Durgin '52 presented Philip Capice with the Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Achievement.

Philip Capice ’52, a television executive whose credits include Dallas, Eight is Enough, The Andy Griffith Show and Charlie Brown animated specials, died on Dec. 30, 2009 at his home in Los Angeles. He will be greatly missed by the Dickinson College community.

Born June 24, 1931 in Bernardsville, NJ, Phil displayed exceptional creativity and leadership skills throughout his years at Dickinson. He maintained strong ties to his alma mater throughout his life.

A stellar career

A founding member of the Mermaid Players and the Follies, Raven's Claw member, choir soloist and Dickinsonian editor, Phil earned a B.A. in English at Dickinson in 1952 and an MFA in dramatic arts from Columbia University in 1954. He went on to work for New York advertising firm Benton & Bowles, where he produced or developed live commercials and several flagship shows, including As the World Turns, The Andy Griffith Show, Gomer Pyle USMC and Edge of Night. Five years later, Phil was hired as director of special programs at CBS, where he produced Charlie Brown and Dr. Seuss specials and musical programs for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand and Leonard Bernstein.

In the 1970s Phil served as vice president—and later, president—of Lorimar Productions, where he helped develop the iconic The Waltons and produced the Emmy- and Peabody-Award-winning movie Sybil. He also founded a production company, Raven’s Claw Productions, which generated major hits such as Dallas and Eight is Enough. Over the years, he was awarded a Peabody Award, the Humanitas Prize, eight People’s Choice Awards and an Emmy Award for his work.

A curious, and telling, company name

The very name of Phil’s production company, Raven’s Claw,  reveals a deep and lifelong connection to Dickinson College and its Raven’s Claw honor society. Phil expressed his commitment to Dickinson in many ways. Phil was a member of Dickinson's Board of Trustees for 11 years and was vice chairman and chairman of the Committee on Trustees. He also contributed regularly to the annual fund and the Raven’s Claw Scholarship Fund and was a member of the 1773 Society.

Because of his dedication and hard work, Phil was awarded trustee emeritus status in May 2001. Three years later, he was awarded the college's Distinguished Alumni Award. In the fall 2007 issue of Dickinson Magazine he was named one of the 25 Most Influential Dickinsonians.