TV Producers

Mike Rinder (1955–2025), Scientology official turned detractor

Mike Rinder was a lifelong Scientologist who broke away from the organization and became one of its biggest detractors.

Russell Morash (1936–2024), This Old House creator

Russell Morash was a TV producer who pioneered how-to TV as the creator of “This Old House” and director of “The French Chef,” among other PBS shows.

Johnny Hardwick (1958–2023), voice of Dale on King of the Hill 

Johnny Hardwick was a stand-up comedian, writer, and voice actor who played Dale Gribble, Hank Hill’s conspiracy-theorist friend on the animated TV show "King of the Hill."

Burt Metcalfe (1935–2022), producer of TV series “M*A*S*H”

Burt Metcalfe was a producer all 11 seasons of the classic TV sitcom “M*A*S*H.”

Ken Kragen (1936–2021), organizer of “We Are the World” and Hands Across America

Ken Kragen was a music manager and TV producer who organized the famous “We Are the World” and Hands Across America charity events in the 1980s.

Herbert F. Solow (1930–2020), TV exec who launched “Star Trek” & “Mission: Impossible”

Herbert F. Solow was a TV executive with Desilu Studios and MGM who helped develop classic shows including “Star Trek,” “Mission: Impossible,” and “Mannix.”

Lee Phillip Bell (1928–2020), co-creator of “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful”

Lee Phillip Bell was a producer and talk show host who co-created the popular soap operas “The Young and the Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful” along with her husband, William J. Bell. She also hosted the Chicago-based talk shows “Mornin’ Miss Lee” and “The Lee Phillip Show,” which later became “Noonbreak.”

Jane Milmore (1955–2020), screenwriter and producer for “Martin,” “The Hughleys”

Jane Milmore was a producer, screenwriter, and playwright whose TV credits include “Martin,” “The Wayans Brothers,” and “The Hughleys.” Milmore won a People’s Choice Award and an NAACP award for her work on “Martin,” as well as winning a Prism Award for her work on “The Hughleys.” She co-created the short-lived 1993 sitcom “Daddy Dearest,” starring Don Rickles and Richard Lewis. Other shows Milmore worked on with her longtime writing partner, Billy Van Zandt, include “Newhart,” “Suddenly Susan,” and “Yes, Dear.” Milmore and Van Zandt also wrote more than 20 plays together, including “You’ve Got Hate Mail” and “The Boomer Boys Musical,” and Milmore was an actress, appearing in her plays as well as in movies and TV shows.

Lee Mendelson (1933–2019), “Peanuts” TV specials producer

Lee Mendelson wasthe executive producer for the beloved cPeanutsc19 TV special,cCharlie Brown Christmas.c19 He also producedcItc19s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,c19 cA Charlie Brown Thanksgivingc19 and more than 50 other animated TV specials. Outside of cPeanuts,c19 he oversaw the cGarfieldc19 and cCathyc19 animated TV specials. Mendelson decided to hire jazz musician Vince Guaraldi to create music for cCharlie Brown Christmasc19 and he co-wrote the lyrics for the timeless song in that special, cChristmas Time Is Here.c19

Leonard Goldberg (1934–2019), legendary TV producer

Leonard Goldberg was one of the producers behind iconic 1970s TV shows “Charlie’s Angels,” “Starsky and Hutch,” and “Fantasy Island.” Goldberg was still producing at the time of his death as executive producer of “Blue Bloods,” a CBS police drama starring Tom Selleck. Goldberg had a long Hollywood career, becoming the head of programming at ABC where he oversaw “Mod Squad.” He partnered with Aaron Spelling in the 1970s on “Charlie’s Angels,” “Hart to Hart” and many other hit shows and TV Movies including “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble.” He served as president of 20th Century Fox from 1987 to 1989 and was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Hall of Fame in 2007.

J. Michael Mendel (1964–2019), “The Simpsons” and “Rick and Morty” producer

J. Michael Mendel was an Emmy Award-winning producer who worked on television shows including “The Simpsons” and “Rick and Morty.”

Jeraldine Saunders (1923–2019), creator of "The Love Boat"

Jeraldine Saunders was the creator of the hit ABC television series "The Love Boat." The show, which ran from 1977 through 1986, began with a made-for-TV movie based on Saunders' 1974 nonfiction book "Love Boats."

Brad Grey (1957 - 2017), The Sopranos producer

Emmy-winning TV exec produced “The Sopranos”…

Douglas Netter (1921 - 2017), Babylon 5 producer

TV exec produced cable TV's "Babylon 5" series...

Noreen Fraser (1953 - 2017), Stand Up to Cancer co-creator

Noreen Fraser, a television producer and cancer crusader who co-created the network TV special "Stand Up to Cancer," died Monday, March 27, 2017, of metastatic breast cancer, according to multiple news sources. She was 63. Fraser became well-known for raising money to find new cures for cancer after she was diagnosed in 2001 with Stage IV breast cancer. Two years later, cancer had spread to her bones. She launched the Noreen Fraser Foundation in 2006 not only to fight cancer but also to find new ways to prevent the disease. In 2008, Noreen Fraser co-created and co-produced the network television special "Stand Up to Cancer," raising more than $100 million for cancer research.

Bruce Lansbury (1930 - 2017), TV writer and producer

Bruce Lansbury, a London-born U.S. television writer and producer, died Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, according to multiple news sources. He was 87.

Sam Lovullo (1928 - 2017), Hee Haw co-creator

Sam Lovullo, the TV executive who co-created and produced the long-running comedy-variety series "Hee Haw," died Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, at his Encino, California, home. He was 88.

Ricky Harris (1962–2016), Everybody Hates Chris actor

Ricky Harris, an actor, comedian, and producer who played the recurring character Malvo on the Chris Rock-based sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris," died Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, according to multiple news sources. He was 54.

Grant Tinker (1925 - 2016), former NBC CEO

Grant Tinker, the former CEO of the National Broadcasting Co., died Monday, Nov. 28, 2016, at his estate in California. He was 91.

Leslie H. Martinson (1915–2016), Batman director

Leslie Martinson, the prolific TV and film director who worked on “Batman: The Movie,” “PT 109,” and “The Brady Bunch.”

David Gest (1953 - 2016), TV producer and Liza Minelli's ex-husband

David Gest, who produced a top-rated musical television special featuring Michael Jackson, has died, according to multiple news sources, including The Associated Press. He was 62. Gest was found dead in a London hotel, according to his friend and former bodyguard Imad Handi. The cause of death wasnt immediately available, though police have reportedly said they found no suspicious circumstances after being called to the hotel. It is with great sadness that I can confirm that David Gest has died today, reads Handis news release.

Steve Shagan (1927 - 2015), Save the Tiger screenwriter

Steve Shagan, a novelist, producer and screenwriter known best for writing the screenplay for the 1973 film Save the Tiger, has died, according to multiple news reports. He was 88. Shagan died Nov. 30 at his Los Angeles home.

Kevin Corcoran (1949 - 2015)

Kevin Corcoran, the actor who played the youngest son in the 1957 Disney classic "Old Yeller," has died, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He was 66.

Bert Convy: King of the Game Show

In the golden age of the game show, Bert Convy was one of the genre's greatest hosts.

Michael Landon Was a Teenage Werewolf

During his decades on screen, Michael Landon was a rancher, a pioneer, an angel f and a werewolf.

Desi Arnaz, TV Innovator

Twenty-seven years after Desi Arnaz's death, we're showcasing three of the ways he helped influence television.

Four Decades of Aaron Spelling

For four decades, Aaron Spelling and television went hand in hand.

Remembering Aaron Spelling on 90210 Day

On "90210 Day," we take a look back at the career of TV’s most successful producer.

Peter Fernandez, Voice of Speed Racer

Fans of anime and manga owe a debt of gratitude to Peter Fernandez, who helped bring "Speed Racer" to American audiences in the 1960s.