Pamela Gail Fryman (born August 19, 1959) is an American sitcom director and producer. She directed all but twelve episodes of the television series How I Met Your Mother.
Fryman was born and grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Fryman got her first job on The John Davidson Show as an assistant to the talent coordinator, and went on to be a booth production assistant and secretary on Santa Barbara, eventually moving up to assistant director (AD), and director. In 1993, producer Peter Noah, with whom she had worked on the game show Dream House, gave Fryman a chance to direct an episode of the short-lived sitcom Café Americain. These would be the first stepping stones toward a long and successful career.
Before her directing career blossomed, Fryman pursued stage directing. On the set of Frasier, rehearsal resembled a play staging, which is exactly what creator and executive producer David Lee had in mind when he hired her. Fryman directed 34 episodes of the show from seasons four through eight.
Fryman directed the majority of the episodes of How I Met Your Mother. Show creator Craig Thomas praised her communication skills, saying, "She makes everyone feel they've been heard and respected and she can connect with anyone." Though Fryman's original career plan did not include directing (she figured she would "follow in her father's footsteps in merchandising"), she has grown to realize that directing is her forte and passion. In Variety magazine, Fryman said that continuing to direct How I Met Your Mother is her fantasy realized. In 2014, she officiated the wedding of How I Met Your Mother star Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, who played a side role in the show.
Fryman has received recognition from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences also known as the (ATAS), the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Directors Guild of America, Goldderby.com, the Online Film & Television Association also known as the (OFTA), and the Women in Film organization.
1994 Cafe Americain Yes No No Episode: "Oh, Brother"
1995 The Boys Are Back Yes No No Episode: "Bad Hair Day"
1995 Bringing Up Jack Yes No No Episode: "Close Personal Friends"
1996 Ned and Stacey Yes No No Episode: "Friends and Lovers"
1996 Caroline in the City Yes No No Episode: "Caroline and the Cereal"
1998 The Simple Life Yes No No Episode: "Pilot"
1998 Encore! Encore! Yes No No Episode: "I Am Joe's Ego"
1999 Norm Yes No No Episode: "Drive, Norm Said" also known as "The Norm Show"
1999 Work with Me Yes No No Episode: "Pilot"
1999 Love & Money Yes No No Episode: "Pilot"
2003 My Big Fat Greek Life Yes No No Episode: "The House Gift"
2006 Courting Alex Yes No No Episode: "A Tale of Two Kisses"
2011 Mad Love Yes No No Episode: "Fireworks"
2013 Mom Yes No No Episode: "Pilot"
^ a b c d "DGA Quarterly Spring 2010 - Director Profile: Pamela Fryman". Archived from the original on 2011-02-28.
^ "DGA Magazine January 1999 - Fraiser".
^ "Neil Patrick Harris Directs Episode of 'How I Met Your Mother' Airing 1/18". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2010-01-30. Though a series regular, this will mark Harris's directing debut, and a rarity for the show as Pamela Fryman has directed 92 of 'How I Met Your Mother's' 97 episodes.
^ Maria Elena Fernandez (October 19, 2008). "The set mom on 'How I Met Your Mother'". Los Angeles Times. p. 3.
^ "Dreams from the top". variety.com. Retrieved 2012-05-06. continuing to direct "How I Met Your Mother" is her fantasy realized."
^ "Neil Patrick Harris Marries David Burtka". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
^ "Pamela Fryman". IMDb. Retrieved 2018-06-02.