Martin Starger, who as a senior executive at ABC in the 1970s helped bring “Happy Days,” “Roots,” “Rich Man, Poor Man” and other shows to the small screen — and the network nearly to the brink of No. 1 in prime time — before turning to producing movies, most notably Robert Altman’s “Nashville,” died on May 31 at his home in Los Angeles. His death was confirmed by his niece, Ilene Starger, a casting director. Mr. Starger joined ABC in the mid-1960s and rose to positions of increasing importance, culminating in his promotion to president of ABC Entertainment in 1972. He was culturally ahead of his audience but was pragmatic in his programming choices, but ever striving for better.”

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Persons: Martin Starger, ” “ Rich, ”, Robert Altman’s “, Ilene, Starger, Barry Diller, Diller Organizations: ABC, ABC Entertainment Locations: Robert Altman’s “ Nashville, Los Angeles