Television Executive. Born in Freeport, Long Island, New York, he was an NBC-TV executive who was credited for turning around the network's low primetime reputation with a string of top-notch hits. As a graduate of Yale University, he started his television career on the staff at WLS-TV in Chicago. In the mid-1970s, he joined the staff of ABC New York and was hired as a programming executive for NBC in 1977. He took over programming duties in 1980, became president in 1981 and was responsible for such hit series as: "Hill Street Blues," "L.A. Law," "Law & Order," "Cheers," "Taxi," "Miami Vice," "The Cosby Show," "ALF," "Family Ties," "The Golden Girls," "Wings," "Knight Rider," "WWF Saturday Night's Main Event," "The A-Team," "Saved by the Bell," "St. Elsewhere," "Seinfeld," "Punky Brewster," "Night Court," "Hunter," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," and many more. He left NBC in 1991, joining Paramount Pictures as chairman and went back to NBC-TV in 1994. He died at age 48 in Westwood, Los Angeles, California.
Television Executive. Born in Freeport, Long Island, New York, he was an NBC-TV executive who was credited for turning around the network's low primetime reputation with a string of top-notch hits. As a graduate of Yale University, he started his television career on the staff at WLS-TV in Chicago. In the mid-1970s, he joined the staff of ABC New York and was hired as a programming executive for NBC in 1977. He took over programming duties in 1980, became president in 1981 and was responsible for such hit series as: "Hill Street Blues," "L.A. Law," "Law & Order," "Cheers," "Taxi," "Miami Vice," "The Cosby Show," "ALF," "Family Ties," "The Golden Girls," "Wings," "Knight Rider," "WWF Saturday Night's Main Event," "The A-Team," "Saved by the Bell," "St. Elsewhere," "Seinfeld," "Punky Brewster," "Night Court," "Hunter," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," and many more. He left NBC in 1991, joining Paramount Pictures as chairman and went back to NBC-TV in 1994. He died at age 48 in Westwood, Los Angeles, California.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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