Thomas W. Sarnoff, a television executive with a six-decade career, has passed away at the age of 96. He was instrumental in shaping NBC Entertainment Corp. and its famous TV brands, created family-friendly touring events, and provided guidance to professional industry associations. Sarnoff was born in New York City, the youngest son of Radio and Television pioneer David Sarnoff, and was known as Television’s “first live star” after serving as a test subject for the RCA/NBC World’s Fair demonstration of Television in the 1930s.
From 1965-1977, Sarnoff served as the staff executive vice president of NBC Entertainment Corp., where he reported to the president of NBC. He negotiated contracts for NBC’s notable Burbank facility and production deals with world-renowned NBC talent such as Bob Hope. Additionally, he was responsible for the production and worldwide touring of live, all-family arena shows like “Peter Pan” and “Disney on Parade” in collaboration with Walt Disney Productions.
After his career with NBC, Sarnoff founded Sarnoff International Enterprises Inc., producing the “Yabba Dabba Doo” live-arena tour with popular Hanna-Barbera characters and reviving the beloved clay-animated character, Gumby. He also served as an executive producer of three “Bonanza” television movies and a retrospective.
Sarnoff was renowned for his participation and active leadership in the Television industry and community affairs. As a champion and leader of both the Television Academy and Television Academy Foundation for five decades, he served on the executive committee of the board of governors and in the 1990s took on the chairmanship of the Television Academy Foundation, for which he was named chair emeritus in perpetuity. Furthermore, he chaired the Television Academy’s council of former chairs for several years.
In 1997, Sarnoff received the Syd Cassyd Founder’s Award from the Television Academy in recognition of his significant and positive impact on the Academy through his years of service and involvement. He served on the boards of American Film Institute, Hope Enterprises, Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, and the National Conference of Christians and Jews (now known as the National Conference for Community and Justice).
Sarnoff is survived by his sons Daniel and Timothy, daughter Cynthia Sarnoff-Ross, and nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His wife of 67 years, Janyce, predeceased him in 2021. Information regarding memorial services is not yet available.
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