David L. Wolper, the acclaimed executive producer of Roots, the 12-hour miniseries that followed several generations in the lives of a slave family, will receive the NAB Distinguished Service Award during NAB2007 in Las Vegas in April.

During Wolper's 50 years in show business, he has made over 700 films that have won more than 150 awards, including two Oscars, 50 Emmys, seven Golden Globes and five Peabodys. In addition to Roots, Wolper's collection of work includes The Thorn Birds, North & South, L.A. Confidential, and the 1971 version of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

"David Wolper is one of America's most successful and influential television producers." said NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr. "His masterpiece miniseries, Roots, is 30 years old this year and is recognized as a seminal event in the history of mass media. We are honored to recognize him for his contributions to broadcasting."

Each year the NAB Distinguished Service Award recognizes broadcasters who have made significant and lasting contributions to the broadcasting industry. Last year's recipients were former NBC Nightly News anchor and managing editor Tom Brokaw, former CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor Dan Rather, and Peter Jennings, the late ABC World News Tonight anchor and senior editor. Other past recipients include Cokie Roberts, Edward R. Murrow, Bob Hope and Walter Cronkite.