Key Facts
- ✓ Andy Friendly died on Sunday, Jan. 4, at the age of 74.
- ✓ He was the first producer of 'Entertainment Tonight'.
- ✓ Friendly was an Emmy-nominated producer and TV executive.
- ✓ He worked at King World and CNBC during his career.
- ✓ He began his career as a writer and producer at NBC News in New York.
Quick Summary
Veteran television executive and Emmy-nominated producer Andy Friendly died on Sunday, January 4. He was 74 years old at the time of his passing. The news was confirmed by his family.
Friendly was a prominent figure in the television industry, best known for his work as the first producer of Entertainment Tonight. He also served as an executive at King World and CNBC. His career began in New York, where he worked at NBC News before moving into production roles for various network programs.
Career Beginnings and NBC News
Andy Friendly started his career in the media industry as a writer and producer based in New York. He was employed at NBC News, where he honed his skills in news production.
During his time at NBC, Friendly became a producer for Tom Snyder's program, Tomorrow. This role helped establish his reputation as a capable television producer early in his professional life.
Major Industry Contributions
Friendly achieved significant success in the television industry, earning an Emmy nomination for his work. He is perhaps most notably recognized as the first producer of the hit syndicated news magazine Entertainment Tonight.
In addition to his production credits, Friendly held high-level executive positions at major media companies. He worked as an executive at King World and CNBC, contributing to the business side of television broadcasting.
Family Background
Andy Friendly came from a family deeply rooted in journalism and media production. He was the son of the legendary journalist Fred Friendly.
He was also the brother of David Friendly, who is a producer. This family connection to the industry spanned multiple generations and roles within television.
Conclusion
The passing of Andy Friendly marks the loss of a significant figure in television history. His work as a producer and executive helped shape the landscape of American television news and entertainment programming.
From his early days at NBC News to his executive roles at King World and CNBC, Friendly's career was defined by innovation and dedication to the medium of television.
