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She was president of ABC Entertainment from 1996 to 1999 after helping develop hits like “Friends”, “Mad About You” and “Frasier” on NBC.
Jamie Tarses, the breakthrough television producer and director who, as president of ABC Entertainment from 1996 to 1999, became the first woman to head a network entertainment division, died on Monday. She was 56 years old.
Tarses died in Los Angeles of complications from a cardiac event suffered last fall, according to her family.
Survivors include her father, Jay Tarses, an Emmy winner who has created innovative TV shows such as Buffalo bill and The days and nights of Molly Dodd, and his brother, Matt Tarses, who has produced series including Sports evening, Scrubs and The Goldbergs.
Tarses had recently turned 32 when she was brought to ABC in June 1996 by Michael Ovitz, then chairman of Walt Disney Co. At NBC, she had helped develop hits such as friends, Crazy of you, Frasier, NewsRadio and Caroline in the city as a comedy programmer under Network Chairman Warren Littlefield.
“At a time when all the major networks were losing young viewers, Ms. Tarses seemed to speak the language of this coveted audience,” The Wall Street Journal written at the time. “She had what is called in television programming jargon ‘the taste’, or the ability to recognize ideas, writers and stars.”
However, she would have a hard time at ABC. The sitcom Dharma and Greg, created by Aaron Sorkin Sports evening and the drama of David E. Kelley The practice were among his rare successes; during this time, she became an intense media focus, with The New York Times Magazine notably publishing an unflattering profile of her in 1997.
Tarses resigned in August 1999 with two years left of his original contract after Disney announced the merger of its production subsidiary Buena Vista Television with the third-place network to form a new unit headed by Stu Bloomberg, then boss of Tarses. , and Lloyd, head of Buena Vista. Braun.
Tarses said she was happy to leave ABC behind and she went on to produce shows like My boys, Crazy Love, Hawthorne, Mr. Sunshine, Happy endings, Men at work, Franklin and Bash, The Wilds and The Mysterious Benedict Society, which debuts this year on Disney +.
“Jamie was a pioneer in the truest sense of the word,” Karey Burke, now president of Disney’s 20th Television and before that president of ABC Entertainment, said in a statement. She shattered stereotypes and ideas about what a female leader could accomplish and paved the way for others, at a cost to herself. She was a mentor and a friend, and many of us owe her so much.
“As a director and producer she was a champion storyteller, having been raised by one of the greatest of all time. Her talent and contribution to our community will be missed.”
Born in Pittsburgh on March 19, 1964, Sara James Tarses grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from Williams College with a degree in theater. She started as an executive talent with Saturday Night Live in 1985 and worked as a casting director for Lorimar Productions before Brandon Tartikoff hired him as an NBC executive in 1987.
In 2006-07 she was a consultant on NBC and Sorkin’s Studio 60 on Sunset Strip, helping to shape the character of the chairman of the drama’s fictional network played by Amanda Peet.
More recently, Tarses has partnered with Burke, Jim Burrows and Gavin Polone in production companies; had his own business at Sony Pictures Television; volunteered at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; and served on the advisory board of Young Storytellers, a non-profit organization whose programs “put young people at the center of their own stories.”
“Within hours of meeting her, I felt like I’ve known her for years,” said Gabrielle Allan-Greenberg, a longtime friend and collaborator. “Jamie was always there when you needed her and appreciated her friendships more than anyone I know.” She was bright, quick and curious and read everything she could. Her mind was racing at an incredible rate, and she loved to question it. An enigma, a mystery or an enigma that she could not solve, which made her a brilliant editor, storyteller and producer. She loved bringing people together and they loved being with her. Incredibly loyal and champion of creativity, she loved to laugh and everyone felt like the funniest person in the room. “
“Jamie had such a love for movies, television, theater, books and ideas that transcended his work and absolutely inspired him,” My boys said designer Betsy Thomas. “She was the ultimate fan.”
Survivors include her partner, Paddy Aubrey, an executive chef and restaurant owner, and their children, Wyatt and Sloane; her parents, Rachel and Jay; siblings Mallory and Matt; sister-in-law Katie Tarses; and three nieces and a nephew.
Donations can be made to young storytellers.
Chris Gardner contributed to this report.
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