As a fellow cable executive and fan of Deirdre “Didi” O’Hearn’s impressive career, I am deeply saddened by her passing. She was a trailblazer in our industry, leaving an indelible mark on networks like A&E, Food Network, WeTV, and many more. Her tireless dedication to creating engaging content for viewers was truly commendable.
On Monday, Deirdre “Didi” O’Hearn, a seasoned cable industry professional with 16 years at A&E Television Networks and experience in WeTV and the Food Network (among others), passed away at the age of 63.
O’Hearn, who had been honored with six Emmy nominations and five Golden Eagle Awards, passed away at a hospice facility in St. Augustine, Florida, following a prolonged fight against lung cancer. This information was shared by his representative.
More recently, between 2014 and 2017, O’Hearn held the position of Senior Vice President for Programming and Development at Food Network and Cooking Channel. In this role, she managed existing programming schedules, both daytime and prime-time, as well as the development of new television shows.
“In the world of cable television, everyone aims for successful shows,” O’Hearn expressed to THR following her appointment. “You need to be a must-see, easy to find, and the go-to spot for viewers. A hit show will get you noticed on the map, and it also gives you the opportunity to grow your programming further. I don’t think there’s any cable programmer who doesn’t have concerns about getting those successful shows.”
In her role as Vice President of Nonfiction and Alternative Programming at A&E Television Networks, O’Hearn was responsible for creating and premiering “Gene Simmons Family Jewels”, a reality series that aired from 2006-12. This show chronicled the life of the Kiss bassist and vocalist, his wife, actress Shannon Tweed, and their two children.
Apart from her role as director of programming at the Biography Channel and executive producer of the “Biography” series, she additionally functioned as a program producer for A&E network and History channel. During this tenure, she authored and produced biographical pieces on figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Truman Capote, John McCain, and Eva Peron.
Born on January 16, 1961, in Wilton, Connecticut, and having grown up there, O’Hearn completed her high school education at Wilton High School in 1979. Later, she obtained a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and a master’s degree from the Columbia School of Journalism.
In addition to her roles, she served as the head of the New York branch for the factual content producer Darlow Smithson Productions and held the position of VP for development and talent at WeTV. Here, she conceived unique series and specials and played a significant part in the creation of shows like ‘Mary Mary’, ‘Kendra on Top’, and ‘L.A. Hair’.
The following individuals survive her: her spouse, Richard; sons, Ian and Michael; as well as her four brothers, William, Robert, Michael, and Tierney, along with their respective families. Memorial donations in her honor can be made to NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center.
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2024-08-13 02:24