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Remembering Bob Saget (RTF '78) as a remarkable student filmmaker

Remembering Bob Saget (RTF '78) as a remarkable student filmmaker

Jan 10 2022

While the world would go on to recognize Temple Alum Bob Saget (RFT '78) as a comedian and for his roles on TV in shows like "FULL HOUSE", "AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS" and "HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER", the Philadelphia-born Saget launched his career in TV and Film with an award-winning documentary he made while still a student in Temple's Radio, Television and Film program (as it was then known). 

In 1977, Saget produced a documentary short, entitled THROUGH ADAM'S EYES which, at 12 minutes long and filmed in black-and-white, outlined the life of his young nephew Adam who was born with a genetic facial disfigurement. The film, told almost entirely through the narration of Adam, was a testament to the courage of the young boy as he underwent facial reconstructive surgery. In true student documentary style -- Saget, who wrote and directed the touching film, also wrote and performed the music, edited sound, and helped with lighting.  

The film went on to win a student Academy Award, an honor shared by filmmakers Spike Lee, Robert Zemeckis and John Lassiter, just to name a few. Saget is actually one of two Temple Film students to win a Student Academy-Award in Documentary (the other being a film called "BEYOND IMAGINING" by Temple Alum and UArts professor Wendy Weinberg, which went on to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Documentary, Short Subject in 1993). 

In a recent article for Temple, School of Theater, Film and Media Arts Dean and Vice Provost Robert Stroker said, “Saget is emblematic of the kind of driven and talented student that comes out of our programs...he showed the brilliance and passion that are trademark Temple characteristics."

Bob Saget passed away this past weekend on Jan 9, 2022 -- we will remember him as a Philadelphia luminary, a comedy hero, one of our most famous Temple alums, and as an inspirational student documentarian.

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