Rudy Bednar Rudy Bednar began his career at ABC in the early 1980s first as a producer for the Series unit, then 20/20 and Primetime Live. His stories have taken him from the Amazon to the North Pole. He has documented the nuclear fallohut in Lappland, the conflict of cultures in Tibet, and the seeds of terrorism in the Comoros Islands.

Domestically, Rudy told stories about children and violence, the farm crisis, and the spread of AIDS. Investigations include the terrorist bombings of Pan Am Flight 103 and elephant poaching in Kenya.

During the early 1990s, Rudy and three senior ABC producers launched the weekly hour documentary series Turning Point. Stories included the Exxon Valdez oil spill, heroine addiction in small-town America, and serial killer Charles Manson.

By 2000, Rudy became Executive Producer of the newly-created Longform Unit, which continues to provide prime time audiences with originals hours and multi-part series. Topics include: global warming, the war in Iraq, and the empowerment of urban city children. The Longform Unit began a run of single-subject series, starting with Vanished. Next, there was Hopkins 24/7—which would become the verité brand for similar observational series—followed by NYPD 24/7, In the Jury Room, and NASCAR. Co-productions include: The Staircase with Academy-Award winning Maha Productions, two Paul McCartney Specials and the Christopher Reeve story.

Rudy also works with the ABC Television Network, producing entertainment and music specials, some of which he has directed.

Rudy has won ten Emmys, four duPonts, as well as many other awards.