Rudy Bednar is a renowned Executive Producer and Director, boasting a diverse portfolio of scripted and non-fiction network television projects. As the head of the ABC News Long-Form Unit from 1997 to 2013, he oversaw a wide range of investigative and documentary series, covering stories from the North Pole to North Korea, and from the Amazon to the Arctic Circle.
During his tenure at ABC News, Bednar tackled some of the most complex and high-stakes stories of the time, including the effects of Chernobyl's radioactive fallout on reindeer herds in Lapland, the investigation into the terrorist bombings of Pan Am 103 and the Twin Towers, and the documentary series on Richard Leakey's efforts to combat elephant poaching in Africa.
As a founding member of ABC's Lincoln Square Productions, Bednar was instrumental in developing the news division's venture into factual scripted drama. His extensive experience and expertise have earned him numerous awards and nominations, including eleven News and Documentary Emmys, four DuPont Awards, two Peabody Awards, and two Cine Golden Eagle Awards.
Some of Bednar's notable EP and Director credits include the true-spy thriller "The Assets" (2014),the biographical drama "Madoff" (2016),and the Lifetime movie "The Lost Wife of Robert Durst" (2017). His work on ABC docuseries and docudramas includes "Final Witness," "Hopkins 24/7," "Turning Point," "NASCAR in Primetime," "Medical Mysteries," "Vanished," and "The Staircase."
Bednar has also produced a range of documentaries and specials for ABC Network, featuring high-profile subjects such as Princess Diana, Vladimir Putin, Charles Manson, Billy Graham, The Beatles, and space shuttle Challenger. He has also worked on concert broadcasts with Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Andra Day, and Elton John.
In 2019, Bednar launched his own production company, Silver Needle Films, and continues to be a prominent figure in the world of television production.
