It was a night filled with legends celebrating a legend as the Beverly Hills Film Festival kicked off with a tribute to the feature documentary “Sock It To Me” The Legend of George Schlatter. Much of what we see on television today, from sketch comedy shows to reality programming, has been shaped by Schlatter’s genius. With over six decades of standout work in television, his impact on the industry is undeniable. As the mastermind behind iconic series including Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In and Real People, Schlatter revolutionized television through his prolific career as a producer, writer, and director.

In addition to bringing those hit shows to life, Schlatter produced the first five years of the Grammy Awards and created and produced the American Comedy Awards for 15 years. Not only has he been behind some of the greatest television productions, but he has also been a pivotal force in launching the early careers of many renowned celebrities, including Goldie Hawn and Lily Tomlin. It’s no wonder Schlatter has been honored with three Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, the Producers Guild “Man of the Year” honor, 25 Emmy nominations, and many other recognitions, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The premiere of “Sock It To Me” The Legend of George Schlatter, written, directed, and produced by Chris Coronado, was a joyous event that brought together Schlatter and many of his beloved friends, including Lily Tomlin, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, and others. His wife, former actress Jolene Brand, was also in attendance. The documentary is as wondrous as the man it celebrates, featuring interviews with Tomlin, Hawn, Tom Hanks, and more. Hanks even referred to Schlatter as “The Pope of Comedy,” an apt description for someone who has touched so many lives.

I had the great honor of interviewing George Schlatter at the 2026 Beverly Hills Film Festival about what it was like to celebrate his feature documentary at the event. He also shared inspiring advice as he reflected on his remarkable career—hear what he had to say in our VIPAccessEXCLUSIVE interview below.

To learn more about “Sock It To Me” The Legend of George Schlatter, visit here.

For more on the 2026 Beverly Hills Film Festival, visit here.