Frank Biondi

Frank Biondi Jr.
Frank Biondi Jr.
Born	Frank Joseph Biondi Jr.; 9 January 1945 (age 81); New York City, U.S.
Died	25 November 2019 (aged 74); Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Entertainment executive
Years active	1968–2019
Known for	Leadership positions at Viacom, Universal Pictures, and HBO

Frank Joseph Biondi Jr. (January 9, 1945 – November 25, 2019) was a prominent American executive in the entertainment industry, known for his leadership positions at Viacom, Universal Pictures, and HBO.

Early life and education

Born in New York City to Virginia Willis and Frank Biondi Sr., who was an executive at Bell Telephone Company, Biondi grew up in Livingston, New Jersey. He completed his studies at Livingston High School in 1964 and was later honored with induction into its hall of fame in 1994. Biondi earned an A.B. degree in psychology from Princeton University in 1966, where his senior thesis focused on the topic of executive recruitment. He further advanced his education by obtaining an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Career

Biondi launched his professional journey in 1968 as a financial analyst and investment banker on Wall Street with the firm Cogan, Berlind, Weill & Levitt. During this time, he connected with Clarence B. Jones, who recommended him for a consulting position at TelePrompTer Corporation, a leading cable company of that era. However, TelePrompTer had engaged in fraudulent activity by overstating its cash flow to investors, which led to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission imposing a trading suspension on its stock and a significant drop in its market value. Amidst corporate reorganization, Biondi was dismissed and subsequently joined the nonprofit Children’s Television Workshop (CTW) in 1974, attracted by its stability.

In 1978, Michael J. Fuchs brought Biondi into HBO as head of co-productions. Although initially hesitant, Biondi rose to become president and CEO in 1983 but was replaced by Fuchs the following year.

Biondi transitioned to Coca-Cola in 1985 as external vice president overseeing its entertainment division. The following year, he was named CEO of Coca-Cola Television after the company merged Columbia Pictures Television, Embassy Communications, and Merv Griffin Enterprises under one umbrella. In 1987, Coca-Cola Television was spun off and sold to TriStar Pictures, which subsequently rebranded as Columbia Pictures under CEO Victor Kaufman.

From 1987 until 1996, Biondi served as president and CEO of Viacom, then moved on to lead Universal Pictures as chairman and CEO from 1996 to 1998.

In 1999, he co-established WaterView Advisors, an investment firm concentrating on media and technology sectors.

A passionate tennis enthusiast, Biondi played a key role in funding the launch of the Tennis Channel in 2001 alongside former Viacom CEOs Philippe Dauman and Thomas E. Dooley, collectively dubbed the "Viacom mafia." Additionally, he contributed as a board member of the Vineyard Family Tennis Foundation based at his home on Martha's Vineyard.

In his later years, Biondi held board positions at various companies such as RealD, Amgen, Cablevision, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, Hasbro, Yahoo!, Viasat, and Seagate.

Personal life

While employed at TelePrompTer Corporation, Biondi met Carol Oughton; they married in 1974 and had two daughters: Anne Biondi Simonds and Jane Biondi Munna. His family includes film producer son-in-law Robert Simonds.

Biondi passed away from bladder cancer at his residence in Los Angeles on November 25, 2019, aged 74.

External links

Profile of Frank Biondi on Forbes