Grant Tinker

Grant Tinker was a visionary American television executive, producer, and memoirist, born on January 11, 1926 in Stamford, Connecticut, and passing away in 2016. A Dartmouth graduate and World War II veteran, he began his media career as an NBC radio trainee in 1949 and later shaped landmark shows in programming roles at NBC, Benton & Bowles, Universal, and Fox. His visionary leadership helped launch classics such as I Spy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Get Smart, and more Kirkus Reviews+15+15+15.

In 1969, Tinker co-founded MTM Enterprises with his then-wife Mary Tyler Moore, building it into a powerhouse "writers’ company" behind hit series including The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, The Bob Newhart Show, Hill Street Blues, and St. Elsewhere. In 1981, he returned to NBC as Chairman and CEO, leading the network from last to first place with iconic programming like Cheers, The Cosby Show, Family Ties, and Miami Vice—a dramatic turnaround that reshaped network television IMDb+10MBC+10FixQuotes+10.

Tinker’s written reflections in his memoir Tinker in Television: From General Sarnoff to General Electric reveal a leader who trusted creativity over conventional analysis and honored instinct in decision-making. Some of his most memorable quotes include: “First be best, then be first.”, “Success begets more in television.”, and his critique: “I’m not a big believer in slavishly following research... you’re not making any instinctive, visceral judgments about programs, which are show business.” These statements underscore his belief in originality, quality, and creative courage over formulaic approaches to entertainment A-Z Quotesinspiringquotes.usMBC.

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