James Edward Tugend Obituary

Writer, James (Jim) Edward Tugend passed away January 25, 2020 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at the age of 82. He died of complications related to Lewy Body Dementia and the prescient wisdom to exit the planet before Covid-19 hit.
Born July 21, 1937 in Beverly Hills at the same hospital where he gave his last breath, Jim lived in Los Angeles nearly all of his life. He attended Beverly Hills High School, and later transferred to and graduated from Menlo School. Jim earned a B.A. in drama at Pomona College, where he met his first wife and the mother of his two daughters. Jim went on to study in Boston University’s Graduate Directing Program and later served his country in the National Guard.
Jim’s life was dedicated to the dramatic arts, and over the decades he wrote, directed and produced both comedy and drama for the stage, film and TV. His accomplishments include the award-winning screenplay Hollywood Easy, a Tales of the Crypt episode, and the acclaimed short film Soul Mates, which he wrote, directed and produced in 1990. In addition to writing and filmmaking, Jim was a teacher and mentor to countless young writers and actors. He began teaching at East West Players in the 1970s.
A prolific writer, Jim published over 100 magazine articles and authored the Writers Guild of America Journal’s Computer Byline for seven years. Jim’s book Selling Sex in the 21st Century was published in 2017, when he was 79 years young. At the time of his passing, Jim was working on a memoir about growing up in show business.
An avid fly fisherman and lifelong student and teacher of Kung Fu and Tai Chi, Jim was known by his many friends for his fabulous chili, Bolognese sauce and wicked Caesar salad.
Jim Tugend was survived by his devoted wife Jennie Lew Tugend and loving daughters Julie Tugend and Katherine Lyons. He was predeceased by his mother, Jean Tugend, his father, comedy writer/producer Harry Tugend, and by his brother Fred Tugend.
Pursuant to his wishes, Jim’s ashes were scattered at sea in a private ceremony on February 7th. A memorial celebration of Jim’s life was held at his home in Los Feliz, California on March 1, 2020.