He’s helped shape and expand the entertainment industry. From the heyday of ^television to the thriving world of music, he’s had a long, productive career. The name William Asher is synonymous with millions of television viewers around the globe.

Born in New York, he spent the first few years of his life in Los Angeles. His family moved back to New York when his father died in 1937. At the age of 19, he joined the Army. After four years, he returned to Los Angeles to work for Universal.

He worked as an assistant cameraman and editor for Universal. Later, he was drawn to television. In the early 60s, he began producing musical pictures. These films were distributed on pay-per-view channels. One such movie, the 27th Day, was a crude cold war science-fiction drama.

During his time in Los Angeles, Asher also co-produced the low-budget boxing melodrama Leather Gloves, which was directed by Richard Quine. Several of his movies featured scantily clad surfers and fading Hollywood stars.

With a background in finance and administration, he eventually entered the entertainment business. Asher was drawn to the world of television, and he stayed with I Love Lucy for five years. While he was there, he also produced the short-lived sitcom The Paul Lynde Show. However, he left that show to develop The Danny Thomas Show.

Soon, Asher was directing shows like Willy, Alice, and Kay O’Brien.This success led to him producing Bill Asher films such as Big Town and Crazy. But as he became more involved in the world of television, he created his own channels. These networks changed the landscape of the television and satellite industries. They surpassed ESPN and HBO, and were among the most profitable channels for DirecTV.

Eventually, as his channels grew, he branched out into live music venues. Asher’s nightclubs were a hit. They were famous for their extravagant parties and bold stunts. Among the celebrities who frequented them were Charlie Barkley, Mike Tyson, and Justin Bieber.

A longtime member of the International Clubs and Spas Corporation (ICSC), he has received numerous awards and accolades. He was recently appointed to the board of directors of MassVentures by Governor Patrick. During his time at MassVentures, he has worked with veterans and grantees including Boston CASA. He is also a member of SVP’s Center of Excellence for Governance.

He has received many honors, including a “Top Attorney” designation by Massachusetts Super Lawyers. He was also named as a leading lawyer in the middle-market M&A category by The Legal 500. Additionally, he was named a “Lawyer of the Year” for corporate compliance law by Best Lawyers in Boston.

Asher’s business interests span a wide array of industries, including entertainment and real estate. His clients include musicians, collectors, and vintage dealers. He also has extensive experience in corporate governance, securities, and corporate finance. Currently, he is a partner with Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP. Earlier, he was a partner at Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault LLP