Leonard Goldenson

Leonard Goldenson
Goldenson in 1985
Born
Leonard H. Goldenson

(1905-12-07)December 7, 1905
DiedDecember 27, 1999(1999-12-27) (aged 94)
EducationB.A. Harvard University
J.D. Harvard Law School
Known forCEO of United Paramount Theatres, President of American Broadcasting Company
SpouseIsabelle Charlotte Weinstein
Children3

Leonard H. Goldenson (December 7, 1905 – December 27, 1999) was the founder and president of the United States–based television network American Broadcasting Company (ABC), from 1953 to 1986. Goldenson, as CEO of United Paramount Theatres, acquired a then-struggling ABC from candy industrialist Edward J. Noble. Goldenson focused on investing heavily on sports and news coverage along with creating synergy between Hollywood studios and television networks. Goldenson turned ABC into a media conglomerate, owning television and radio stations along with newspapers and book publishers.

His innovations with ABC in terms of programming and media synergy would have lasting implications on the American television industry, and be emulated by leadership of other networks.[1][2] He was portrayed by Eli Wallach in the 2002 TNT movie Monday Night Mayhem.[3]

  1. ^ "Former ABC Chief Leonard Goldenson Dies". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  2. ^ Lowry, Brian (28 December 1999). "Leonard Goldenson, ABC Network Pioneer, Dies at 94". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  3. ^ "Monday Night Mayhem (TV Movie 2002) - IMDb".