Joseph S. Cicero

Joseph Cicero was VP, Entertainment and Finance at NBC, overseeing shows such as Cosby, Bonanza, Family Ties, The Bob Hope Specials, Seinfeld, Friends and The Tonight Show.

Joseph S. Cicero was born on February 8th, 1934 and lived the American Dream. He embodied true American drive and spirit, working his way out of an impoverished childhood in Chicago; from his successful college career playing French horn in his own jazz band, to the ranks of Captain in the United States Navy, and Vice-President of Entertainment and Finance, Los Angeles and New York at NBC Studios where he presided for 30 years.

He was born in 1934 in Chicago, Illinois; the son of Italian immigrants, Clara and Joseph Cicero. His parents owned a small grocery store and boarding house where he lived in 2 rooms with his family of 5. They were so poor that they lived behind the grocery store and he shared a twin bed with his brother.


He graduated high school at age 16 and headed to college at DePaul University where he earned a scholarship playing French horn. He loved music, especially jazz. He formed a jazz band at DePaul University and was a founding member of the first DePaul band to play court side for the famed basketball coach Ray Meyers. He graduated from the University of Illinois with an accounting degree, and joined the United States Navy.

For Joseph Cicero, serving his country and being in the United States Navy was the love of his life. He served in active duty in Naval Aviation as a naval flight navigator for 4 years where he rose through the ranks as an officer. He was stationed in Guam in 1958 and flew a P2 "Neptune" anti-submarine aircraft on missions throughout the Pacific and was awarded the China Service Medal. He met and married his wife while stationed in Guam.

He proudly served the Naval military reserve for 30 years, stationed in Pt. Mugu, CA retiring as a Naval Captain having served as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserves base in Pt. Mugu, CA for 26 years.

He would often recount that as a young boy in freezing Chicago, he would listen to the Rose Bowl Parade and game on his transistor radio and would say, "One day I'm going to live in Los Angeles!" A dream come true, he would attend many Rose Parades and Rose Bowls in his 30-year career as an NBC executive.

In 1959, He answered an ad in the Los Angeles Times for an accountant position at NBC Studios. He loves to tell the story that he got the job because he was the first one in line at NBC—an hour before everyone else. He rose through the executive ranks ultimately landing as VP of Entertainment and Finance. He would be at the helm during NBC's golden age of series television overseeing shows such as Cosby, Bonanza, Family Ties, The Bob Hope Specials, Seinfeld, Friends and The Tonight Show working with his friend Brandon Tartikoff, Warren Littlefield and others during those iconic years.

During these golden years, he raised his family including 4 children in Studio City, CA. He was a dedicated and loving father and always available to anyone in need.

Joseph Cicero served the United States Navy as a commanding officer for 30 years while at the same time working as an NBC executive. He retired from both the Navy and from NBC Studios after 30 years with 2 successful careers.

A lover of golf, he retired to Monterey, California, where he attended mass every day at his beloved Carmelite monastery in Carmel. He actively worked until he was 80, and he loved his annual trips to Honolulu, Hawaii near the Naval base in Pearl Harbor.

He died on September 29th, 2018. He was a man of great character, great faith, and commitment. He loved his children and his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Nancy, his children, Karen, Suzanne and Matthew and was predeceased by his beloved daughter Sharon Cicero, a past CAA agent and television producer who died in 2014.