Jamie Bennett, a prominent figure in the television industry, has left a lasting legacy through his innovative contributions to CBS and Disney. His work on shows like ‘Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee’ has shaped the landscape of daytime television.
Remembering Jamie Bennett: A Legacy in Television
Jamie Bennett, a longtime TV executive at CBS and Disney who developed Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee and other popular syndicated shows, has passed away at the age of 78. His family confirmed that Bennett died on July 6 due to cancer.
Career Highlights
Bennett spent 13 years in executive roles at CBS, including as program director of WBBM-TV in Chicago and later serving as Vice President and General Manager of KCBS-TV in Los Angeles. He then transitioned to the Walt Disney Company as Senior VP of Buena Vista Television Productions, where he developed iconic shows like Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, Siskel and Ebert, and Win, Lose or Draw.
Innovative Television Formats
In a 2008 column for TV Week, Bennett shared insights about his partnership with Regis Philbin and the creation of ABC’s beloved Live! morning format. He noted, “Our sales staff at Buena Vista was looking for a single-issue talk show… Regis was live. He was talking about what happened on TV last night.”
Bennett emphasized the uniqueness of live programming, stating, “Nobody had ever taken out a live syndicated program before. We called it Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee to stress that.” His vision led to over 20 years of successful television history.
Post-Executive Ventures
After his tenure in television, Bennett became President and CEO of ACI, a Los Angeles-based TV and theatrical film distribution company. Following ACI’s sale to Pearson Television, he relocated to London to oversee worldwide production.
Upon returning to Los Angeles, Bennett dedicated his efforts to volunteer work and supporting startups through Pasadena Angels, an investment group focused on early-stage financing.
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Academic Contributions
Born James Stark Bennett II on June 1, 1947, he began his career at the University of California, Berkeley, where he served as program director for the radio station KALX. He later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and became Chief Operating Officer at the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), significantly contributing to its establishment in the Arts District.
Community Engagement
Bennett and his wife Carolyn retired to Ojai, California, where he became involved with the Ojai Music Festival, serving as CEO and President. He also participated in Ojai’s Planning Commission and served on various boards, including the W. Alton Jones Foundation and the National Environmental Trust.
He is survived by his wife Carolyn, their children Katherine, Lucy, and Brooks, and grandchildren Maggie and Kenji.
In honor of Jamie Bennett, donations can be made to the Ojai Music Festival or the Jamie Bennett Community Fund.
