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David Kennedy, Stamford Native, Talent Agent, TV Producer

STAMFORD, Conn. — David Kennedy, a former entertainment talent agent and award-winning television producer, died June 14 in Los Angeles after complications from knee replacement surgery. He was 73. 

David Kennedy

David Kennedy

Photo Credit: Contributed

A native of Stamford, Kennedy was the eldest son of the late J. Walter Kennedy, former mayor of Stamford and former commissioner of the National Basketball Association and the late Marion McRedmond Kennedy. 

He graduated from Stamford High School in 1959, where he was a member of the state championship football team and graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where he was a member of the track team.

Kennedy was hired by NBC Sports and at age 22, he produced his first TV special – the first live broadcast of the America's Cup. 

He had his hand in numerous important entertainment events over the last 50 years. He was in the control room at the first Super Bowl in 1967, the first taping of "Saturday Night Live," and the inaugural "Kennedy Center Honors" broadcast. He was also at the forefront of live sports telecasts and is credited with inventing the term Instant Replay. 

He served a 12-year stint as the head of television at New York-based International Creative Management, where he was an agent to many, including Robin Williams, Dick Clark, Marvin Hamlisch, Eddie Murphy, Lorne Michaels, Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss), Debbie Allen, Lucie Arnaz, Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo), Joe Piscopo and many others.

In 1984, he moved to the West Coast, where he served as senior VP of programming for Pearson Television and its Australian subsidiary, Reg Grundy Productions. He was senior VP of programming sales for Taft Entertainment Co. 

He then became president of Dan Curtis Productions where he was executive producer of the Emmy award-winning television movie "Saving Millie" for CBS and the Emmy-nominated "Our Fathers" for Showtime. He was also executive producer of the movie "Dark Shadows," starring Johnny Depp.

For the past two years, Kennedy had been developing numerous television projects for the FX Networks. 

Kennedy is survived by his wife, Barbara; stepsons Keith (Lisa), and Evan Lipstein; step-grandchildren Emily, Sophie, Maya, Samantha and Jayda Lipstein; brother Bob Kennedy (Bartan) of Stamford; sister, Kathy Kennedy of Florida; and a niece, nephews and eight great-nieces and great-nephews.

A memorial will be planned in the fall. Donations can be made in his name to the Amanda Foundation or to the charity of your choice.

 

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