Lionel Schaen

Former Production Instructor Passes Away

Lionel Schaen, former adjunct professor in the School of Cinematic Arts who devoted time and energy to numerous industry-related endeavors passed away on July 25.
He was 72.

For close to a decade, the pioneer of interactive media taught in the Division of Film & Television Production as well as the Business of Entertainment offered in conjunction with the USC Marshall School of Business. He held the treasurer post and then president of the Hollywood Radio & Television Society and was chairman of the California Broadcasters Association.

Schaen had a long illustrious career in broadcasting. In addition to KCET Los Angeles as the director of sales, Schaen previously served as general manager of KHJ-TV (now KCAL-TV) Los Angeles and director of sales for KABC-TV Los Angeles. He held the positions of president of Pay TV Service at Select TV, president of ACTV Interactive, director of domestic sales for the Harmony Gold Program Distribution Company, and then became president of Hubbard Broadcasting’s USTV & USSB Satellite & Program Syndication.

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Schaen graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business. He also earned an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University.

He is survived by his wife, Jan; two sons; a daughter and three grandchildren.