Deadline reports that Jamie Kellner (Melrose Place, Charmed), a notable and highly regarded TV executive in the industry, recently passed away at 77. Kellner played a crucial role in the early development of two major television networks and launched the careers of many successful players in the industry.
Under Kellner’s leadership, Fox Broadcasting introduced several successful and iconic TV shows, including The Simpsons, an animated sitcom that’s one of the longest-running TV shows in history, and Married…With Children, a cult classic sitcom known for its unconventional humor; In Living Color, a sketch comedy show that launched the careers of many comedians; Beverly Hills, 90210, a teen drama extremely popular in the 90s and Cops, a reality TV show that followed police officers on duty.
Deadline continues, explaining that after his success at Fox, Kellner helped launch another broadcast network, The WB, where he developed several hit TV shows. These included Dawson’s Creek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a horror-action series mixed with supernatural elements and high school drama, Gilmore Girls, a beloved series known for its quick-witted dialogue and strong mother-daughter relationship and 7th Heaven, a highly successful and long-running family drama that Kellner created in collaboration with famous TV producer Aaron Spelling (Charlie’s Angels, Dynasty) and writer-producer Brenda Hampton (The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Blossom).
Deadline reports that Kellner played a significant role in helping many now-famous individuals kick-start their careers during his time at The WB. These include Greg Berlanti (Love Simon, You), J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, Westworld), Kevin Williamson (The Vampire Diaries, Tell Me a Story) and Joss Whedon (The Cabin in the Woods, The Nevers). Berlanti is a successful television writer known for producing shows like Arrow, The Flash and Riverdale. Abrams is a well-known writer, director and producer famous for his work on TV series such as Alias and Lost and movies like Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Williamson is best known for creating the TV show Dawson’s Creek and writing the Scream film series. Finally, Whedon is a writer, director and producer renowned for creating Buffy the Vampire Slayer and his work on Firefly, Angel and The Avengers films.
As shared by Deadline, Berlanti honors the late executive in this statement, “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.”
Kellner also helped launch the careers of several popular comedians, including Jamie Foxx (Baby Driver, The Amazing Spider-Man 2), Steve Harvey (Judge Steve Harvey, Think Like a Man) and the Wayan Brothers (White Chicks, Requiem for a Dream). Foxx gained prominence on In Living Color and went on to have a successful career in film and music, winning an Academy Award for his role in Ray. Harvey is a comedian, television host and actor known for The Steve Harvey Show and for hosting Family Feud. Keenen Ivory, Damon, Shawn and Marlon Wayans are all comedians and actors known for their work on In Living Color and The Wayans Bros TV show, as well as various comedy films.
According to Deadline, Kellner retired when he turned 57. At the time of his retirement, he was leading Turner, a major media company known for channels like CNN and Cartoon Network. After retiring, Kellner chose not to return to work despite receiving offers. Instead, he left the entertainment industry to focus on his interests and hobbies, including sailing, golfing and establishing a winery called Cent’Anni (which means “a hundred years” in Italian) in Santa Ynez Valley, California. Surviving Kellner are his wife of 38 years, Julie, his daughter Melissa, his son Christopher, and his three grandchildren, Jake, Scarlett and Oliver.