David Kennedy, veteran TV producer and former talent agent, died suddenly on June 14 in Los Angeles from complications from knee replacement surgery, according to a statement from FX Productions. He was 73.
Kennedy was under a first-look development deal with FX Prods at the time of his death, an agreement that was recently renewed for another two years, according to the network. Among his projects were How To Survive A Plague, which he was developing with David France, along with David Siegel and Scott McGehee, based on France’s award-winning documentary. He was also developing A Perfect Terrorist, based on the Frontline episode from WGBH and ProPublica, with producers David Fanning, Joshua Goldin, Rachel Abramowitz and Sebastian Rotella.
The Stamford, CT native was the eldest son of the late J. Walter Kennedy, former Mayor of Stamford and a former NBA commissioner, and the late Marion McRedmond Kennedy.
Following graduation from Notre Dame he was hired by NBC Sports and, at age 22, he produced his first TV special – the first live broadcast of the America’s Cup.
Kennedy’s long career in television included a 12-year stint at New York-based ICM where his clients included Robin Williams, Dick Clark, Marvin Hamlisch, Eddie Murphy, Lorne Michaels, Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss), Debbie Allen, Lucie Arnaz, Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo) and Joe Piscopo.
He moved to the West Coast in 1984, serving as SVP of programming for Pearson Television and its Australian subsidiary, Reg Grundy Productions. He also was SVP of programming sales for Taft Entertainment Company, whose assets included Hanna-Barbera Productions.
He went on to become President of Dan Curtis Productions, where he was executive producer of Saving Millie for CBS and Our Fathers for Showtime. Kennedy also was an executive producer on Johnny Depp-starrer Dark Shadows.
A memorial will be planned in the fall. Donations can be made in Kennedy’s name to the Amanda Foundation (amandafoundation.org) or the charity of your choice.
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