John Landgraf Biography

John Landgraf (born May 20, 1962) is the President and General Manager of FX Network, a position he has held since 2005. TV critic Alan Sepinwall jokingly refers to Landgraf as the Mayor of TV.

Early life

Landgraf was born in California to father John R. Landgraf, Ph.D., a pastor, and Barbara Landgraf (ne Joslin). When he was very young, his parents traveled constantly, performing as backup singers for the gospel evangelist Rev. Mel Dibble, who was part of Billy Graham Crusades. When he was 5 years old, his mother completed an M.A. in social work and his father completed his PhD in family counseling. In 1969, when he was 7 years old, his parents divorced.

After spending much of his childhood moving, Landgraf spent his high school years in Oakland, California, and graduated from Skyline High in 1980.

In 1984, Landgraf received a B.A. in Anthropology from Pitzer College, one of the Claremont Colleges.

Career

Early career

During and after college, Landgraf did an internship, worked in sales and eventually worked on the production side of the video production company J-Nex Media, a Los Angeles company that made commercial and industrial video.

In 1988, Landgraf was Director of Development at Sarabande Productions, where he eventually became Senior Vice President.

From 1994 to 1999, Landgraf was Vice President of Primetime at NBC where he oversaw the development of The West Wing, and oversaw an ongoing slate of popular TV shows that included Friends and JAG.

Producing

Landgraf co-founded the production company Jersey Television with Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg and Stacey Sher. Jersey Television was responsible for producing shows like Comedy Central's Reno 911! and Karen Sisco.

FX Network

In 2004, Landgraf was President of Entertainment of FX Network, responsible for original TV shows that included critically acclaimed shows like The Shield and the Denis Leary-starring show, Rescue Me.

In 2005, Landgraf was promoted to President and General Manager of FX Network, a position that oversees the management FX, FX HD, the Fox Movie Channel and FX Prods. In this position Landgraf is responsible for the operations, programming, development, scheduling, and marketing of the TV channels he oversees.

In 2013, Landgraf launched FXX.

Since taking over his leadership role at FX, the number of original programs has increased exponentially. During the 2015 Television Critics Association presentations, Landgraf expressed concern that while television is undergoing a golden age, there is simply too much television.

Personal life

In 1997, Landgraf married actress Ally Walker. They have three sons and live in Santa Monica, California.

Landgraf plays the flute. He also sang in a barbershop quartet during his time at Pitzer College.

Filmography

• 2007: Reno 911!: Miami - producer
• 2005-2008: 30 Days - executive producer
• 2004: Karen Sisco (TV series) - executive producer, 1 episode; writer, 1 episode: "No One's Girl"
• 2004-2009: Reno 911! - executive producer, 13 episodes
• 2003: Other People's Business (TV movie) - executive producer
• 2002: The Funkhousers (TV movie) - executive producer
• 2001-2004: ' (TV series) - executive producer, 4 episodes
• 2002: The American Embassy (TV series) - executive producer
• 2001: Kate Brasher (TV series) - executive producer
• 2000: Celebrity (TV movie) - executive producer
• 1998: Mind Games (TV movie) - co-producer
• 1996: Nightjohn (TV movie) - co-producer
• 1995: Mad Love - co-producer
• 1992: Those Secrets (TV movie) - co-producer
• 1990: Rising Son (TV movie) - associate producer

Awards

• 1984-1985: Coro Fellowship
• Chair Appointee to the Executive Committee of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Board of Governors
• 2012: NCTA Vanguard Award for Programming
• 2013: Adweek"?s TV Executive of the Year
• 2014: Variety's Creative Leadership Award