Brandon Tartikoff | |
---|---|
![]() Tartikoff in 1988 | |
Born | January 13, 1949 Freeport, New York, U.S. |
Died | August 27, 1997 Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged 48)
Education | |
Occupations |
|
Employers | |
Known for |
|
Office | President of NBC Entertainment |
Term | 1981–1991 |
Predecessor | Fred Silverman |
Successor | Warren Littlefield |
Spouse | Lilly Samuels (1982–1997, his death) |
Children | 2 |
Brandon Tartikoff (January 13, 1949 – August 27, 1997) was an American television executive who was head of the entertainment division of NBC from 1981 to 1991.[1] He was credited with turning around NBC's low prime time reputation with several hit series: Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, Law & Order, ALF, Family Ties, The Cosby Show, Cheers, Seinfeld, The Golden Girls, Wings, Miami Vice, Knight Rider, The A-Team, Saved by the Bell, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, St. Elsewhere, and Night Court.
Tartikoff also helped develop the 1984 sitcom Punky Brewster; he named the title character after a girl he had a crush on in school. He was also involved in the creation of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Beggars and Choosers.