Rick Ludwin

Rick Ludwin
Born
Richard Adam Ludwin

(1948-05-27)May 27, 1948
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
DiedNovember 10, 2019(2019-11-10) (aged 71)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Alma materMiami University
OccupationNBC television executive
Years active1980–2012
Known forChampioning Seinfeld's first season; The Tonight Show, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Saturday Night Live

Richard Adam Ludwin[1] (May 27, 1948 – November 10, 2019) was an American television executive and former vice president at NBC Television. He is notable as the executive who backed Jerry Seinfeld's series Seinfeld, which went on to become one of the most popular and successful television sitcoms of all time.[2][3] During his 31 years at NBC, Ludwin worked with every The Tonight Show host—Steve Allen and Jack Paar, albeit after their time on Tonight, as well as Johnny Carson, Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, and Jimmy Fallon. He also helped guide the network through the Conan O'Brien and Jay Leno conflict in 2010.[4]

  1. ^ Sandomir, Richard (November 13, 2019). "Rick Ludwin, NBC Executive Who Championed 'Seinfeld,' Dies at 71". The New York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  2. ^ Rosenthal, Phil (August 21, 2005). "NBC executive stands apart by taking stands". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  3. ^ Littleton, Cynthia (November 12, 2019). "Alan Horn Remembers How Rick Ludwin Saved 'Seinfeld'". Variety. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
  4. ^ Carter, Bill (2010). The War for Late Night: When Leno Went Early and Television Went Crazy. Penguin. p. 66. ISBN 9781101443422. Retrieved April 4, 2017.