Tom Cherones

Obituary for Tom Cherones

9-11-1939 - 1-5-2026

Tom Cherones, Emmy, Golden Globe and DGA Award-winning director of Seinfeld among a diverse array of television programs, passed away at his home in Florence, Oregon, on January 5th from Alzheimer's disease with his loving wife Carol by his side. Born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in 1939, Cherones began his career in public broadcasting and eventually became a key player behind one of the most beloved series in television history, directing and producing 81 of the first 86 episodes, or nearly five years' worth of Seinfeld.

Cherones completed his undergrad studies with a degree in Journalism at the University of New Mexico in 1961, then served a stint as an officer in the U.S. Navy until 1965. After his discharge from the service, he returned to Alabama and earned a Master's Degree in Broadcast and Film Communications in 1967. Following this, he produced and directed numerous programs and series episodes at various PBS affiliates, eventually landing at station WQED in Pittsburgh, where he worked on productions such as Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. By 1975 he was ready to take on Hollywood.

Cherones' first job in L.A. was as Production Manager for General Hospital. He served in the same capacity for Welcome Back Kotter and continued his career as an independent producer, working for Warner Brothers, ABC, CBS, Paramount, Lorimar and Mary Tyler Moore Productions. In 1980 he wrote and produced the feature length film Two of Hearts for cable and public television. Among the numerous shows he produced or directed are Caroline In the City, NewsRadio, Ellen, Boston Common, Growing Pains, Ladies Man, The Pitts and Desperate Housewives.

But it was Seinfeld for which Cherones is best known and remembered. He was quick to point out that "They left us alone" in the show's infancy because the network "literally didn't know what to do with us." That gave the creators the chance to develop the show into something that helped define a brand of humor that would make an indelible mark on American Television. Cherones provided the visual language for the "show about nothing," shooting multi-camera in a dynamic way to achieve a cinematic, rather than a standard sitcom look. Known for wearing loud Hawaiian shirts on set "So people can find me easily," he directed many of the show's most experimental and iconic episodes, including "The Chinese Restaurant," "The Parking Garage," and the Emmy-winning "The Contest." His ability to manage the show's multi-plot structure helped transform it from a cult hit into a national phenomenon.

Because he started literally from the ground floor - which he was responsible for sweeping as a young man - Cherones knew production from its basic elements to the most nuanced contributions he would one day make as a member of a groundbreaking creative team. If he had to, he could operate a camera. His reputation for maintaining a genial, relaxed atmosphere on set amid the chaos of production made him a valued presence, but cast members throughout his career will also say that he would "bark if he had to," and knew how to wrangle casts and keep things moving. His humor and boisterous laugh were tempered by a low-key confidence that assured everyone they were in good hands, and the job would get done.

Cherones is known widely as a mentor who was happy to provide people with a chance to make their mark. Tom took that spirit of generosity back to the University of Alabama, where he taught a class in Television Production for twelve years, pro bono. Hundreds of students, many of whom now work in the industry, got a chance to learn from a master how film and TV production works, and then go on to benefit from the connections that Cherones made for them in Hollywood. The act of teaching and then helping his students secure employment was every bit as gratifying to Tom as his own success in Hollywood.

Despite his enormous achievements helming the show that remained a ratings powerhouse until the end of its tenure, Cherones remained humble, collaborative, and deeply respected by actors and crew alike. In addition to the Emmy, Golden Globe and DGA Awards, he won a Peabody, People's Choice, Monitor, Christopher and TV Critics Awards. He received a total of six Emmy and three DGA Award nominations.

Tom appeared on camera just once during his run on Seinfeld as "the director" in "The Pilot," an episode in which he declared that he was "Gonna rip that little guy (George Costanza) a new one."

During a busy career in TV Cherones also managed to earn his pilot's license, and flew his own planes for many years. His passions also included golf, woodworking, and cooking, which resulted in a cookbook composed of recipes he'd gathered over more than three decades. Once he'd established roots in Florence, Tom began to spend more and more time there, and eventually moved to Oregon permanently. After decades in Los Angeles, he enjoyed the tranquility of small-town life, the close proximity of untouched natural surroundings, and the chance to pursue his enthusiasm for gardening. The latter endeavor led to years of nurturing prize-winning Rhododendrons.

Tom was married to Bobby Cherones, with whom he had two children, and later to Joyce Keener until her death in 2006. He is survived by his wife, Carol E. Richards, his daughter, Susan Cherones Lee and her husband Daniel; son, Scott Cherones and his wife, Linda; and grandchildren Jessa and Thomas Cherones, as well as several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in Tom's memory be made to the Tom Cherones and Joyce Keener Fund at the Western Lane Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1589, Florence, OR 97439 (wlcfonline.org) or, Hilarity For Charity (HFC), which provides support for caregivers at DONATE.HFC or by mailing a check to 7656 W. Sunset Blvd, L.A., CA 90046.