Bruce Bilson, Rachel Bilson's grandfather, died peacefully at 97

Emmy-winning director Bruce Bilson died at his Los Angeles home at age 97, his daughter told The Hollywood Reporter; his memorial is set for Sunday at Hillside Memorial Park and the family has asked for donations to CASA of Los Angeles.

Emmy-winning director Bruce Bilson died Friday at his Los Angeles home at age 97, his daughter Julie Bilson Ahlberg told The Hollywood Reporter. He won a 1968 Emmy for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy for the Get Smart episode "Maxwell Smart, Private Eye." Bilson directed more than 400 television episodes over several decades and worked on many well-known shows. He also worked extensively with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz at Desilu and later collaborated with Ball on Life With Lucy. Known details: - His daughter Julie Bilson Ahlberg told The Hollywood Reporter that he passed away "peacefully" at his home in Los Angeles. - Bilson won the 1968 Emmy for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy for the Get Smart episode "Maxwell Smart, Private Eye." - He directed more than 400 television episodes, with credits that include The Brady Bunch, M*A*S*H, The Andy Griffith Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Odd Couple and Hogan's Heroes. - He worked with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz at Desilu and later on Ball's 1986 sitcom Life With Lucy. - The memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at Hillside Memorial Park in Los Angeles, and the family has requested donations in his memory to CASA of Los Angeles. - He is survived by his wife Renne Jarrett; son Danny Bilson and daughter Julie Bilson Ahlberg; stepson Drew Stauffer and wife Liz; grandchildren Rachel, Hattie, Rosemary, John, Sidney, Suki and Bowie; and great-grandchildren Briar and Everly. Summary: Bilson's passing marks the end of a long career in television direction, noted for a 1968 Emmy and hundreds of episode credits across classic American series. A memorial will be held Sunday and the family has asked for donations to CASA of Los Angeles.