Brandon Stoddard

During more than three decades of pioneering work in network television, Brandon Stoddard was responsible for some of the most memorable moments in the history of the medium. Through his work at ABC, he was known for bringing quality and creativity to every area he oversaw — from children's programming to prime time series to movies made for TV and, particularly, the miniseries.

Stoddard joined ABC Television in 1970 as Director of Daytime Programs and until 1995 he held positions throughout the entertainment division including becoming its president in 1985. Primetime shows created during his tenure included Thirtysomething, The Wonder Years, China Beach, Full House, and Roseanne. In that era, Stoddard was also responsible for the creation of Twin Peaks, Max Headroom, and Slap Maxwell. Also, as President of ABC's first in-house production company, ABC Productions, Stoddard shepherded numerous series into production including the award-winning My So-Called Life.

But Stoddard is probably best known for his participation in the development of the ABC Novel for Television, with such landmark productions as Roots, The Winds of War and The Thorn Birds, which became the three most-watched miniseries in television history, as well as Herman Wouk's War and Remembrance. Other miniseries most noted during his tenure include Rich Man, Poor Man, Masada, East of Eden, Roots: The Next Generation, and North and South. Stoddard was also responsible for The Day After, the most-watched motion picture made for television in the medium's history and such highly acclaimed movies for television as Something About Amelia, Friendly Fire, The Dollmaker, The Women's Room, Who Will Love My Children, and Attica.

In 1979, Stoddard also started a motion picture division within ABC, ABC Motion Pictures, Inc., and served as its president. In addition to motion pictures for television, Stoddard was responsible for the development and production of motion pictures for theatrical distribution. Among the theatricals released under Stoddard's direction were, The Flamingo Kid, Young Doctors in Love and the Academy Award-nominated movies, Silkwood and Prizzi's Honor.

Following his time at ABC, Stoddard devoted ten years, from 2002-2011, to teaching "Advanced Television" to graduate students in the Peter Stark Producing Program at USC's School for Cinema and Television.

Brandon Stoddard was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2014.