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Jamie Kellner, TV Maverick Who Launched Both Fox and The WB, Dies at 77
Jamie Kellner, who made his name as the only exec ever to create two broadcast networks — Fox and The WB — died Friday in Montecito, Calif. He was 77.
He also was key to the early careers of creatives like Greg Berlanti, JJ Abrams, Kevin Williamson and Joss Whedon, and comedy stars including Jamie Foxx, Steve Harvey and The Wayans Bros. “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,” said producer Greg Berlanti. Kellner was named the first president and chief operating officer of Fox Broadcasting Co. in February 1986 — a few months before the announcement of “The Late Show with Joan Rivers,” and a year before the arrival of original primetime series (“21 Jump Street,” “Married… With Children”).
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