Timothy Childs

Timothy Childs died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles in December 2025. Born in 1941, he lived a life distinguished by professional accomplishment, artistic dedication, and generous service. He was the beloved husband of Terri Childs, with whom he shared a devoted partnership and a lifelong commitment to the arts.

Tim loved the theater; he loved reading, playing tennis, traveling and taking photographs-mostly of faces which interested him.

Tim’s passion for theater began as a drama undergraduate at the Claremont Colleges, where his enduring love for the performing arts was first nurtured. Together, Tim and Terri became active supporters, volunteers, and patrons of the arts in Los Angeles and New York, contributing their leadership as well as their resources.

His service to cultural institutions was extensive. He served on the board of Center Theatre Group, including as Vice President and Chair of Finance, providing thoughtful stewardship and strategic guidance. He also served on the boards of The Music Center’s Fraternity of Friends and The Joffrey Ballet.

Tim enjoyed a notable career in finance, serving as Chief Executive Officer of Southern California Savings and Loan. In the late 1980s, he made the bold decision to pursue his lifelong passion for theater and the arts more directly. He relocated to New York and went on to become a producer and director of musicals and plays, with work presented on Broadway and in London’s West End—a testament to his belief that art matters and dreams are worth pursuing at any stage of life. One of his first productions was A Christmas Carol, starring Patrick Stewart, which marked the beginning of a more than 30-year producing career. He produced over fifteen productions on Broadway and London’s West End, including Annie, Macbeth, and Broken Glass.

Tim directed productions at Ford’s Theater in Washington DC including Inherit the Wind (2000) and to Kill a Mockingbird (2001). At the Kings Head Theater in London, he adapted and directed One Touch of Venus (2001) which the New York Times review praised as ” in the expert American hands of Timothy Childs as director and adapter”.

In addition to his career as a producer, Tim was also an accomplished writer. He authored a novel published by Harper and Row, Cold Turkey, and created the definitive blog about Broadway iBlogBroadway.com (2008).

In 2020, Tim returned with Terri to Los Angeles . He was most proud of the endowment they established at The Music Center to ensure dance will thrive in Los Angeles for generations to come. He leaves behind a legacy of generosity of spirit with which he supported the cultural community he loved.

Tim will be remembered for his love of the arts, his courage to change course, and the warmth he brought to those around him. His spirit lives on in the people he touched and the institutions he strengthened.