Biography

Beginning his design career at The Pasadena Playhouse designing main stage productions, Don worked as an assistant art director to television designers. At CBS TV Hollywood, Robert Tyler Lee was in charge of the Art Department. Robert Tyler Lee hired Don as an assistant, assigning him to various television productions. Lee upgraded Don's position making him an Art Director on the Network daytime game show programs. "All In The Family" was Don's first night time full credit as Art Director.

Norman Lear set up his own production Company after "All In The Family" had been completed at CBS TV's Hollywood studio. Lear set up his production company at the KTTV Sunset Blvd location. Don Roberts, leaving his CBS TV staff position, became CEO as the Art Director and manager of the Norman Lear Production Company. Don hired additional support members for the art department, establishing a training program for assistants and decorators. Chuck Murawsky was hired as an art director, supervising assistant art directors on his assignments. When "All that Glitters" was placed into production, Don brought Hub Braden into the Norman Lear Art Department team to be the Production Designer. Staff art department team members were always assigned assisting in preparing any of the Lear productions. Norman Lear allowed Don to work on other outside projects during this period. Don Roberts was a very talented designer with communication skills, management skills, and an ability to keep a production within the required set budget costs.

Great Uncle to Cassandra Hesseltine.