Richard S. Reisberg, Top Television Executive at Viacom and MGM/UA, Dies at 85
Richard S. Reisberg, a senior television executive who worked for Viacom, MGM/United Artists, Reeves Entertainment and Lionsgate, has died aged 85 after battling Alzheimer’s. He oversaw a broad range of programming and was an executive producer on the acclaimed NBC telefilm *Enola Gay* and the CBS sitcom *Payne*, while later becoming known for his work in mediation and dispute resolution.
Born in the Bronx in 1941, Reisberg began at advertising agency J. Walter Thompson before holding business-affairs roles at the major US networks. He led Viacom Productions from 1978 to 1981, United Artists Television and MGM/UA Television Productions until 1985, Reeves Entertainment from 1985 to 1994, and later Lionsgate Television; from 2001, he worked as a mediator at JAMS and taught mediation at Pepperdine Law School for more than 15 years. He is survived by his wife Judy, two daughters, a son-in-law and four grandchildren.
- Veteran television executive Richard S. Reisberg has died aged 85.
- He led major production companies and worked on notable television programmes.
- Later, he became a mediator and law-school lecturer.