
Andy Friendly
Television producer and executive
- Lifespan
- November 6, 1951 – January 4, 2026Nov 6, 1951 – Jan 4, 2026
- Location
- Bel-Air, California, USABel-Air, CA

Television producer and executive
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Key moments and achievements from Andy Friendly's life.
Andy was born
· Bel-Air, California, USA
Career Breakthrough
In 1981, Andy Friendly served as the founding producer of "Entertainment Tonight," helping create what would become the longest-running daily entertainment news show in television history. He received an Emmy nomination for his work on the show in 1982.
Career Breakthrough
In 1981, Andy Friendly served as the founding producer of "Entertainment Tonight," helping create what would become the longest-running daily entertainment news show in television history. He received an Emmy nomination for his work on the show in 1982.
Executive Role
From 1990 to 1995, Friendly served as Vice President of primetime programs at CNBC. In this role, he produced talk shows featuring major names including Tom Snyder, Tim Russert, Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, and Dan Rather, shaping the cable news network's primetime identity.
Executive Role
From 1990 to 1995, Friendly served as Vice President of primetime programs at CNBC. In this role, he produced talk shows featuring major names including Tom Snyder, Tim Russert, Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, and Dan Rather, shaping the cable news network's primetime identity.
Executive Role
Friendly served as president of programming and production at King World Productions from 1995 to 2001, overseeing first-run syndication of some of television's most valuable properties including "Oprah Winfrey," "Wheel of Fortune," and "Jeopardy!"
Executive Role
Friendly served as president of programming and production at King World Productions from 1995 to 2001, overseeing first-run syndication of some of television's most valuable properties including "Oprah Winfrey," "Wheel of Fortune," and "Jeopardy!"
Published Work
In 2017, Friendly published his memoir "Willing to Be Lucky: Adventures in Life and Television," reflecting on his decades-long career in the entertainment industry. The son of CBS News creator Fred Friendly and brother of producer David Friendly, he chronicled a life at the center of American television history.
Published Work
In 2017, Friendly published his memoir "Willing to Be Lucky: Adventures in Life and Television," reflecting on his decades-long career in the entertainment industry. The son of CBS News creator Fred Friendly and brother of producer David Friendly, he chronicled a life at the center of American television history.
Teaching Career
Friendly served as an adjunct professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, sharing his decades of television industry experience with the next generation of filmmakers and producers. His teaching career allowed him to pass on the expertise he gained from creating and managing some of TV's most successful programs.
Teaching Career
Friendly served as an adjunct professor at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, sharing his decades of television industry experience with the next generation of filmmakers and producers. His teaching career allowed him to pass on the expertise he gained from creating and managing some of TV's most successful programs.
Andy Friendly passed away