Brandon Stoddard obit

Brandon Stoddard Dead at 77

 

 He was not on the list.

Brandon Stoddard, former ABC Entertainment president, died of cancer Monday. He was 77.

Stoddard joined ABC as director of daytime programs in 1970 and took over as president of ABC Entertainment in 1985.

As president, Stoddard launched miniseries Roots, The Winds of War, East of Eden, The Thorn Birds and Rich Man, Poor Man, among others.

Stoddard also shepherded series Roseanne, The Wonder Years, Twin Peaks, Full House and Thirtysomething and launched ABC's movie division ABC Motion Pictures in the 1970s, of which he was president.

"Brandon was a true maverick who was instrumental in transforming prime time television,” said Robert Iger, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “His influence continues, and he will be missed by everyone who had the good fortune to know him. My thoughts are with Mary Anne and their family during this difficult time”

Stoddard was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in March.

Brandon Stoddard started his career in ABC in 1970 as the director of daytime programming, he led the network's motion picture division and president of ABC Entertainment from 1985 to 1989. During his tenure as the head of ABC entertainment shows such as Roseanne, The Wonder Years and Thirtysomething were created. He was responsible for the creation of TV movies like Friendly Fire and The Day After. He worked to develop the miniseries in American television. Miniseries included The Thorn Birds (1983), The Winds of War (1983), and Amerika. His most successful show was the miniseries Roots based on Alex Haley's novel. From 1989 to 1995 he was the president of the first in-house production company in ABC producing shows like My So-Called Life. After leaving ABC he worked as an adjunct professor at University of Southern California’s School for Cinema and Television, teaching graduate students for ten years.

Stoddard is survived by wife Mary Anne Dolan, daughters Alexandra Brandon Stoddard and Brooke Stoddard and four grandchildren.