Jerry Harvey

Jerry Harvey (1949 – April 9, 1988) was a California filmmaker and programmer, best known for his work on Z Channel, a pioneering cable station in the Hollywood Hills. Harvey's devotion to cinema and choice of rare and important films had an important influence on such directors as Robert Altman, Quentin Tarantino, and Jim Jarmusch. Harvey died in 1988 when, after murdering his wife, he committed suicide.

Z Channel
Harvey became known for programming especially of foreign and independent feature films by up-and-coming directors. During his tenure at Z he pioneered both the director's cut and the cable "special event" trends by screening the three and a half-hour director's cut of Michael Cimino's rarely seen western Heaven's Gate. This would lead to a close friendship between Cimino and Harvey that would last his entire life.