Bill Geddie, a legendary television producer best known for co-creatingThe View, has died. He was 68.
According to Allison, Geddie died Thursday at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, due to a “coronary” issue.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty
Geddie, a four-timeEmmywinner, was best known co-creatingThe ViewwithBarbara Walters,which launched in 1997 featuring Walters,Meredith Vieira,Star Jones,Joy BeharandDebbie Matenopoulosas panelists.
Bill Geddie in 2019.Lou Rocco/ABC via Getty
Lou Rocco/ABC via Getty
He remained on the talk show until 2014, earning 13 Daytime Emmy nominations throughout his tenure. In 2012, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 39th Daytime Emmy Awards.
Geddie and Walters also worked together on BarWall Productions for 25 years. He co-produced, wrote and directedBarbara Walters SpecialsandThe 10 Most Fascinating People,according toDeadlineandThe Hollywood Reporter.
When Walters died in December 2022, Geddie honored her legendary career and mastery of the broadcast medium,telling PEOPLE at the time: “Barbara’s total impact on broadcasting is hard to quantify, but this much is clear — she kicked sexism and ageism squarely in the ass.”
Bill Geddie and Barbara Walters.Michael Buckner/WireImage
Michael Buckner/WireImage
Additionally, Geddie was a producer for ABC News’Good Morning America, executive producedTamron Hallfrom 2018 to 2020, oversawMegyn Kelly’s celebrity-interview special in 2016, and penned the 1996 sci-fi scriptUnforgettable. Throughout his career, he earned six Primetime Emmy nominations.
Geddie’s impressive career achievements were just one of the things Allison and her family touched upon in a lengthier statement honoring the producer’s life.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Sherri Shepherd said of the news: “I am absolutely devastated. Bill Geddie took a chance on me and believed in me and fought for me. He had a wonderful sense of humour and his advice took me through my first season of ‘The Sherri Show.’ He was my mentor and my friend.”
Bill Geddie and Joy Behar.Lou Rocco/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Lou Rocco/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
In apost on Twitter,Sunny Hostinwrote: “My friend & mentor Bill Geddie has transitioned at 68. Bill was the 1st person to believe that I could be a national talk show host. He told me after an audition for The View “you were sitting there watching the show instead of being on the show. Lean in like I know you can.”
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The View’sofficial Twitter page also released astatement.
“‘The View’ wouldn’t exist without Bill Geddie,” the statement continued. “Our love goes out to his wife Barbara and their two daughters, Allison and Lauren.”
source: people.com
