Tom Tannenbaum, 69; Longtime TV, Movie Producer

Thomas D. Tannenbaum, whose four decades in television production, development and packaging included seven years as the first president of Viacom Productions, where he spearheaded such series as “Matlock” and the “Father Dowling Mysteries,” has died. He was 69.

Tannenbaum died of heart and liver failure Saturday at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Woodland Hills.

Determined to make Viacom a major player among leading program suppliers when he joined the company in 1984, Tannenbaum brought together Dean Hargrove and Fred Silverman to produce “Perry Mason” shows in a feature-length format and the “Matlock,” “Jake and the Fatman” and “Father Dowling Mysteries” series.

Tannenbaum’s reputation for encouraging writers, directors and producers instead of getting in their way attracted top talent to develop projects for Viacom. Among those he brought into the fold were Dick Berg, James Coburn, Glen Larson and Chris Thompson.

During Tannenbaum’s tenure from 1984 to 1991, he built Viacom into a major supplier of critically acclaimed movies of the week, including “Face of a Stranger,” and such series as “Frank’s Place.”

Although he spent most of his career in television, Tannenbaum began in film. He joined MGM in 1952 and five years later was an associate producer of “Raintree County,” a sweeping film about the Civil War era, starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift.

He went on to work with David Gerber at Famous Artists Agency’s television division and then became president of Seven Arts Television, where he was associate producer of the 1963 motion picture “Rampage,” starring Robert Mitchum.

Tannenbaum subsequently held executive positions at David Wolper Productions and then Paramount Television, where he supervised such hit series as “Mannix,” “Love, American Style,” “The Odd Couple,” “The Brady Bunch” and “Mission: Impossible.” He also produced the 1971 series “Longstreet,” starring James Franciscus.

Later at Universal Television, Tannenbaum supervised production of such Emmy Award-winners as “Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys” and Lauren Bacall’s first television special, “Applause.” He also helped foster such series as “Kojak,” “Switch” and “The Incredible Hulk.”

He returned to MGM from 1980 to 1982 as president of MGM-TV, and then spent two years at Centerpoint Productions, continuing to develop series and such movies for television as “Son of Sam” and “Toughest Man in the World.”

Divorced, Tannenbaum is survived by three children, Audrey, Eric and Madelyn; and four grandchildren.

The family has asked that, instead of flowers, any memorial donations be sent to the Amanda Foundation in honor of Tannenbaum’s love of animals.