Leslie Megahey, a renowned British television producer, director, and writer, was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to Thomas Megahey, a minister, and Beatrice (née Walton). He received his education at King Edward VI School in Lichfield.
Megahey's early works for the BBC included the productions of "Canvas: 7: Sunflowers: Van Gogh" in 1971 and "Omnibus File: Thrillers and Crime Fiction" in 1972.
As the editor of the BBC television documentary series "Arena" from 1977 to 1979 and again from 1982 to 1983, Megahey played a significant role in shaping the program's direction. During his tenure, he divided the series into "Arena Theatre" and "Arena Art and Design," transforming it into a platform for showcasing short, distinctive, and stylish films focused primarily on British theatre and visual arts.
One of his notable programs during this period was "Henry Moore Meets Leonardo" in 1978, in which the renowned sculptor Henry Moore engaged in a discussion about Leonardo Da Vinci's anatomical drawings.
Megahey's two-part Arena special "The Orson Welles Story" in 1982 won a prestigious "Best Documentary" BAFTA award in 1983.
