Kirk Browning, Lincoln Center & Broadway Director, Dies at 86

The longtime director of "Live From Lincoln Center," Kirk Browning, died on Sunday, February 10 of cardiac arrest, in Manhattan where he lived. Browning was 86.

Browning, who won three prime-time Emmy Awards for directing during his career, began at NBC filing scores in their music library.  Soon he was directing live telecasts of the NBC Symphony with Arturo Toscanini, and later was named stage manager then telecast director of the new NBC Opera Company.

It was at NBC that Browning developed his directorial trademark – a probing camera, constantly in motion, that vividly explores character and dramatic conflict.  It was also during those days that he came to understand the terrors of live television.

In addition to directing 185 broadcasts of Live From Lincoln Center, 10 of which won Emmy Awards, Browning directed Frank Sinatra's first TV show; the world premiere of the first opera written expressly for television, Gian Carlo Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors; PBS' Great Performances; Live from the Met; Broadway productions including Gospel at Colonus and You Can't Take It With You; Pavarotti at Madison Square Garden and Zarzuela with Domingo; Death of a Salesman; Our Town; Hallmark Hall of Fame music and drama specials; Philadelphia Orchestra broadcasts and White House specials.

In addition to his Emmy Awards, Browning received two Christopher Awards, a CITA Award, and a George Foster Peabody Award.

Browning is survived by his wife, the former Barbara Gum, and their two sons, David Browning of Westchester County and Jeremy Browning of Nantucket, MA.  Arrangements are being made by Frank E. Campbell.

Kirk Browning (photo courtesy Lincoln Center)