Television Academy Hall of Fame

☆ Save On Wikipedia ↗
Television Academy Hall of Fame
FormationMarch 4, 1984 (1984-03-04)
FounderJohn H. Mitchell
Founded atCalifornia, U.S.
TypeEntertainment hall of fame
PurposeTo honor individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to television in the United States
OwnerAcademy of Television Arts & Sciences
Websitetelevisionacademy.com/awards/hall-of-fame

The Television Academy Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to American television. The hall of fame was founded by former Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS) president John H. Mitchell (1921–1988).[1] Inductions are not held annually.

Synopsis

The awards were inaugurated in 1984,[2] in the words of the selection committee, the Hall of Fame is for "persons who have made outstanding contributions in the arts, sciences or management of television, based upon either cumulative contributions and achievements or a singular contribution or achievement." John H. Mitchell served as the chair of the Hall of Fame until his death in January 1988. He was succeeded by Edgar Scherick, who was then replaced by Norman Lear.

The first ceremony was held in 1984, the inaugural inductees were Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Paddy Chayefsky, Norman Lear, Edward R. Murrow, William S. Paley and David Sarnoff. The honorees received glass statuettes in the form of two ballet dancers that were created by sculptor and painter Pascal to reflect the self-discipline required in all facets of the arts. Since 1988, inductees have been given an award in the form of a crystal television screen atop a cast-bronze base. The award was designed by art director Romain Johnston.

Inductions are not held annually. Five or more inductees are announced at a time. All inductees have been individuals or pairs, with the exceptions of the series I Love Lucy in 1990,[3] and the original cast of Saturday Night Live in 2017.

In 2016, the four broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC) were honored with special "Hall of Fame Cornerstone" awards.[4]

In 2018, following Bill Cosby's sexual assault cases, his 1991 induction was removed.[5]

Hall of Fame inductees

1st induction (1984)
2nd induction (1985)
3rd induction (1986)[6]
4th induction (1987)
5th induction (1988)
6th induction (1989)
7th induction (1990)
8th induction (1991)
9th induction (1992)[7]
10th induction (1993)
11th induction (1995)
12th induction (1996)
13th induction (1997)
14th induction (1999)
15th induction (2002)
16th induction (2004)
17th induction (2006)
18th induction (2008)
19th induction (2010)
20th induction (2011)
21st induction (2012)
22nd induction (2013)
23rd induction (2014)[9]
Cornerstone Award (2016)[4]
24th induction (2017)[10]
25th induction (2020)[11][12]
26th induction (2022)
27th induction (2025)[14]
28th induction (2026)[15]

See also

References

  1. "John H. Mitchell, 66, Former TV Executive". The New York Times. January 22, 1988. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  2. Television Hall of Fame Inducts Seven Honorees. AP News.
  3. Series star and co-creator Desi Arnaz was nominated the same year, resulting a rare double-nomination.
  4. "Four Broadcast Networks Honored with "Hall of Fame Cornerstone" Award". Television Academy. May 9, 2016. Retrieved November 4, 2017.
  5. Kilkenny, Katie (May 2, 2018). "Bill Cosby Removed From Television Academy's Hall of Fame on Website". The Hollywood Reporter.
  6. O'Connor, John J. (April 21, 1986). "TELEVISION 'HALL OF FAME' CEREMONY". The New York Times.
  7. Colker, David (May 22, 1992). "All-Star Cast in Bronze: Tributes: The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honors TV's legends sculptures at its North Hollywood headquarters". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  8. "Charles Cappleman". Television Academy. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  9. "Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David E. Kelley, Jay Leno, Rupert Murdoch, Ray Dolby, Brandon Stoddard Named To TV Academy's Hall Of Fame". Deadline Hollywood. December 16, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2013.
  10. Nobil, Taryn (October 12, 2017). "Shonda Rhimes, John Wells Among TV Academy's Hall of Fame Inductees". Variety.
  11. Hipes, Patrick (December 3, 2019). "TV Academy Hall Of Fame Adding Bob Iger, Geraldine Laybourne, Seth MacFarlane, Jay Sandrich & Cicely Tyson". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 22, 2015. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  12. "TV Hall of Fame adds 5 new members, including Bob Iger, Seth Mac Farlane, Cicely Tyson". ABC7 Los Angeles. January 28, 2020.
  13. "Donald A. Morgan, ASC". Television Academy. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  14. Dunn, Jack (June 10, 2025). "Viola Davis, Conan O'Brien, Ryan Murphy and More to Be Inducted Into Television Academy Hall of Fame". Variety. Retrieved June 10, 2025.
  15. Davis, Clayton (June 30, 2026). "Television Academy Hall of Fame Class: Netflix's Ted Sarandos, Jean Smart, Ted Danson and 'South Park' Co-Creators Among Honorees". Variety. Retrieved June 30, 2026.