Photo Source: The Wrap
Former president of ABC and legendary TV producer Jamie Tarses has passed away at the age of 56. Starting her television career at NBC, one of the first hit series under her purview was Blossom, made for the network by Touchstone Television. Promoted to second in command at the network, she played a key role in the development of hit sitcoms like Friends and Frasier before moving to ABC, becoming the first woman to be president of a television network.
Starting in 1996, Jamie Tarses led ABC through the end of the decade, greenlighting such hits as Dharma & Greg, Two Guys and a Girl, and The Practice. After leaving the network, she shifted her focus to producing TV shows and had a development deal with ABC Signature. Among her producing credits are Happy Endings, The Mayor and Sports Night.
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Enduring a cardiac event last fall that led to her passing, Jamie Tarses had several future projects in the works including the Disney+ series The Mysterious Benedict Society and a Sony dramedy created for ABC called Why You Will Marry The Wrong Person.
Dana Waldman, Chairman of Entertainment, Walt Disney Television issued a statement about Jamie Tarses later in the day:
Jamie Tarses is survived by her partner Paddy Aubrey, their two children, her parents Jay and Rachel and her siblings Matt and Mallory in addition to nieces and nephews. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and fans during this difficult time.