# Marty Callner

Marty Callner (August 25, 1946 – March 17, 2025) was an American director who made music videos, comedy specials, concert specials, and television shows. He was the creator of HBO's Hard Knocks and has been nominated for numerous Primetime Emmy Awards, Directors Guild of America Awards, CableACE Awards and MTV Video Music Awards.

## Work

Callner's directorial credits on music videos include videos for Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Chaka Khan, Cher, Diana Ross, Stevie Nicks, Heart, Kiss, Poison, Ratt, Lita Ford, The Cranberries, Scorpions, Twisted Sister, Whitesnake and ZZ Top.
His music video specials include Bette Midler's Diva Las Vegas, Pat Benatar's In Concert, Britney Spears: Live from Las Vegas, Diana Ross Live at Caesar's Palace, Fleetwood Mac's Mirage Tour, Garth Brooks Live from Central Park, Gladys Knight Live at the Greek Theatre, Gloria Estefan's Caribbean Soul: The Atlantis Concert, Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveShow, Marc Anthony's Concert from Madison Square Garden, Paul Simon Live at the Tower Theatre, Rolling Stones' Four Flicks, Stevie Nicks's Bella Donna, and Whitney Houston's Whitney: The Concert for a New South Africa.
He also directed recordings of performances by comedians including Pee-wee Herman, Sam Kinison, George Carlin, Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, Dane Cook, John Leguizamo, Billy Crystal, George Lopez, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Whitney Cummings, and Will Ferrell.

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 1979 | CableACE Awards | Entertainment | On Location | Nominated |
| 1979 | CableACE Awards | Entertainment | Standing Room Only | Won |
| 1981 | CableACE Awards | Single Program – General Entertainment or Variety: Music | Standing Room Only | Won |
| 1981 | CableACE Awards | Single Program – General Entertainment or Variety: Unclassified | Standing Room Only | Nominated |
| 1983 | CableACE Awards | Directing a Theatrical-Music Program | Camelot | Nominated |
| 1995 | CableACE Awards | Music Special | Madonna: The Girlie Show – Live Down Under | Nominated |
| 1999 | Directors Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical/Variety | Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time | Nominated |
| 2003 | Directors Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical/Variety | Robin Williams: Live on Broadway | Nominated |
| 2004 | Directors Guild of America Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical/Variety | Rolling Stones: Forty Licks World Tour Live at Madison Square Garden | Nominated |
| 1994 | MTV Video Music Awards | Best Direction in a Video | "Amazing" – Aerosmith | Nominated |
| 1991 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Drama Series, Variety Series, Miniseries or a Special | Cher... at the Mirage | Nominated |
| 1997 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Diva Las Vegas | Nominated |
| 1997 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Directing for a Variety or Music Program | Diva Las Vegas | Nominated |
| 1998 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Directing for a Variety or Music Program | Garth: Live from Central Park | Nominated |
| 1999 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time | Nominated |
| 2003 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Robin Williams: Live on Broadway | Nominated |
| 2003 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Rolling Stones: Forty Licks World Tour Live at Madison Square Garden | Nominated |
| 2009 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger | Nominated |
| 2009 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush | Nominated |
| 2009 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush | Nominated |
| 2010 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction | Nominated |
| 2011 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special | The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway | Nominated |