TV Producer, Studio Exec Jim Paratore Dies at 58

Jim Paratore, a Daytime Emmy winner whose career included executive-producing The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Lopez Tonight, The Bonnie Hunt Show and TMZ as well as many years as an executive at Warner Bros., died May 29 following a cardiac arrest while on a cycling vacation in France. He was 58.

At his death, Paratore was president of ParaMedia, the television production company he founded in 2006, following almost three decades as a television executive. The firm, which focuses on first-run syndicated fare, has an exclusive overall deal with the Warner Bros. Television Group.

“The Warner Bros. Television family has lost an incredibly talented and creative friend and colleague in Jim," said Bruce Rosenblum, chairman and CEO of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and president of the Warner Bros. Television Group. "He has left an indelible mark not only on our company's success, but on each of us who worked with him during the past twenty-six years. All of us at Warner Bros. are shaken by this news, and our hearts go out to [his wife] Jill and his family."

Said Alan Perris, Chief Operating Officer of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences: “Not only was Jim a giant in the first-run arena, but a personal friend for thirty-five years. The TV industry and his many friends and colleagues are stunned and saddened by his passing.”

Paratore began his television career at local affiliates after earning a B.A. in communications at Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was later hired as vice-president of production for Lorimar-Telepictures in Los Angeles.

He is survived by his wife, Jill Wickert, and a daughter.