Leo Eaton

Directing · 1945–2022 · Islington, London, England

Leo Eaton was a two-time Emmy© award-winning filmmaker who's written, produced, directed and executive produced TV factual series and specials for US and overseas broadcasters for more than four decades. Eaton is director, producer, writer of the 2020 theatrical documentary 'John Marshall, the Man Who Made the Supreme Court'. In 2017 Eaton executive produced the 6-part series 'Story of China' (with British historian Michael Wood) and wrote & directed 'Weekend In Havana' for PBS. Eaton wrote & series directed 'Sacred Journeys', PBS's 2014 six-hour series on pilgrimage. Other previous work includes 2012 'Arts & the Mind' (with Lisa Kudrow) and 'Homeland: Immigration in America' (both series broadcast by PBS). Previously Eaton was a producer on National Geographic Channel's Emmy© award-winning 'Can the Gulf Survive' 2010 about the BP oil spill, and executive produced British historian Michael Wood's 'The Story of India' for PBS & BBC-TV in 2009.

Full biography

Earlier Eaton directed the 2008 TV version of magician Teller's 'Macbeth' for the Folger Shakespeare Library, series produced PBS's epic 21-hour Emmy© award-winning series 'America at a Crossroads' (2007) and produced/directed PBS performance specials that include 'Fiesta Mexican' (with Vicki Carr) in 2008, 'Bringing It Home' (with Natalie MacMaster) in 2008, 'Tango, the Spirit of Argentina' (2005) and 'Mariachi, the Spirit of Mexico' (with Plácido Domingo) in 2003. Eaton has also produced reality series 'Cowboy 101' for the Outdoor Life Network (OLN) in 2004, executive produced 'Be the Creature' (with the Kratt Brothers) for National Geographic Channel in 2003, co-created and executive produced Emmy© award winning children's series 'Zoboomafoo' and 'Kratts' Creatures' (with the Kratt Brothers) from 1996 to 2001 and produced & directed In 'Search of Ancient Ireland' for PBS & RTE (Ireland in 2002; his book of the same name was published by Ivan R. Dee in 2002.

Eaton has taught film production & script-writing at the University of Texas (Austin). Prior to settling in America, Eaton lived in the UK, Greece, Portugal and Mexico. With a special focus on co-production, Eaton has developed successful partnerships with broadcasters from around the world, especially in Europe & S.E. Asia.