Jamie Kellner Dies: TV Executive Who Helped Launch Fox & The WB Was 77

Jamie Kellner, a TV executive behind the launch of broadcast networks Fox and The WB, has died. He was 77.

Jamie Kellner is recognized as one of the most innovative and successful television executives of his era. He retired at the age of 57 after serving as Chairman and CEO of Turner Broadcasting succeeding Ted Turner. Kellner is credited with reshaping and modernizing CNN to compete against upstarts Fox and MSNBC in a suddenly crowded and competitive cable news environment, while also overseeing the maturation of TNT, TBS, TCM, Cartoon Network, TNT Sports, the Atlanta Braves, Hawks and NHL Thrashers.

 

Kellner is best known as the man who launched two successful broadcast networks, Fox and The WB. Both networks became renowned for their groundbreaking, cutting edge television that helped define their eras. At Fox, he developed The Simpsons, Married…With Children, In Living Color, Beverly Hills 90210 and Cops; at The WB, titles included Dawson’s Creek, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls and 7th Heaven which he created with Aaron Spelling and Brenda Hampton. While at The WB, Kellner was instrumental in launching the careers of such creative superstars as Greg Berlanti, JJ Abrams, Kevin Williamson and Joss Whedon, and comedy talents Jamie Foxx, Steve Harvey and The Wayans Bros.

 

Prior to becoming President of Fox at its launch, Kellner made a major mark for himself at Orion working for the legendary Arthur Krim, where he conceived of an innovative partnership with Lorne Michaels to buy the rights to the original seasons of Saturday Night Live. They recut those 90 minute shows into a syndicated package of 30 minute episodes which became wildly successful and profitable and brought the young executive to the attention of Barry Diller and Rupert Murdoch, who then hired Kellner as the network’s first President. Prior to Orion, Kellner had a successful career at Viacom.  

 

Said Greg Berlanti of Kellner 

“I don’t think there’s another person in the history of TV that can say they helped start two new major broadcast networks (Fox and The WB). Jamie Kellner was a titan and a visionary in our industry and yet he will be remembered by anyone lucky enough to work for him as an executive or as a showrunner as a warm, funny, charismatic, creative and kind mentor, friend, husband and Dad. He dedicated his life in TV to fostering and betting on generations of talent both in front of and behind the camera. I know I speak for so many others when I say my life was changed by the Camelot-esque home he created for all of us who worked at The WB. He will be greatly missed.” 

 

Retiring at the age of 57, Kellner turned down several offers to go back to work in top corporate positions with absolutely no regrets. Instead, Kellner decided to leave the entertainment world behind him and pursue his bucket list passions including sailing around the world on his ketch called “Irishman,” playing countless rounds of golf at the world’s most picturesque courses and launching a winery in Santa Ynez Valley, Cent’Anni. He loved entertaining and being the chef for family and friends, specializing in Italian cuisine to match the origin of his beloved Italian grapes that were the basis for Cent’Anni. Kellner also loved architecture, designing and building numerous homes, telling shaggy dog stories and talking politics.  

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Julie, daughter Melissa, son Christopher, and three grandchildren Jake, Scarlett and Oliver.    

 

In lieu of donations, the family asks that you open a great bottle of wine in his honor.