Grant Tinker, former CEO of NBC, dies at age 90
On December 1, 2016
- TV History
Remembering Grant Tinker….
Grant Tinker, former CEO of NBC, dies at age 90
Grant Tinker, former chairman and CEO of NBC and architect of many successes for the network, has died at age 90. He was also a former husband of actress Mary Tyler Moore.
Mary Tyler Moore turns 80 this month.
In the late ’80s, Tinker with Gannett formed GTG Entertainment, which brought us “TV 101” for CBS, the syndicated “USA Today: The Television Show”, and this show, which NBC cancelled in 1990…only for David Hasselhoff and the producers to reboot it on their own in syndication a year or so later: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv6lFW3eDgE
I also worked at NBC Burbank during Mr. Tinker’s stewardship of the network. When he called a meeting to let us know that a company known for making light bulbs had bought the place and furthermore he wouldn’t be making the trip with us, I knew it was time to leave. I had some offers and took a very good one. Class act. RIP.
Sad… Grant Tinker Knew Prime Time Television…
He vetoed a SNL sketch making fun of Fred Silverman. He also favored David Letterman over Jay Leno for the Tonight Show.
Worked at NBC Burbank during his tenure. Class all the way!!!
He had a saying, “First be best, then be first.” Words of wisdom. RIP
Mr. Tinker came to his NBC presidency at the same time I became an NBC affil manager. My impression was exactly that of the many praising him now – a gifted individual with the courage of his own counsel & convictions. He & Brandon Tartikoff, both very bright lights, turned things around at NBC making it a great place to be.
Nice man. Got to meet him a couple of times.
RIP. Think he left NBC before I started working there