Sheldon funds UCLA writing scholarship

First award to be presented in January

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Sheldon

After writing novels that have sold more than 300 million copies, Sidney Sheldon has taken his first stab at underwriting.

The UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television has established the Sidney Sheldon Scholarship Award for Screenwriting and Playwriting. Sheldon will fund the scholarship award.

The first scholarship will be presented in January, with the award alternating each year between a screenwriter and playwright enrolled in the UCLA program.

Although he did not attend college, Sheldon has had success in the entertainment industry disciplines serviced by the school. Among Sheldon's screenplays were "Easter Parade," "Annie Get Your Gun" and "The Bachelor & the Bobby Soxer," for which he won the 1947 original screenplay Oscar. He won a Tony for the musical "Redhead" and created the TV series "The Patty Duke Show," "I Dream of Jeannie" and "Hart to Hart."

Sheldon has become closely associated with the UCLA program. He began considering the scholarship award when the school dean was Gil Cates. He made the scholarship award commitment with current dean Robert Rosen.

"We are very proud to be associated with Sidney Sheldon. His success in the worlds of theater, film and television parallels our unique program integrating those artistic disciplines," Rosen said.