Basic Information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony Denis “Tony” Thomopoulos |
| Heritage | Greek-American (parents from Sparta, Greece) |
| Raised | Wakefield, Bronx, New York |
| Education | Walsh School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University |
| Primary roles | Television and film executive; producer; media company founder |
| Notable positions | President, ABC Entertainment (1978–1983); President, ABC Broadcast Group (1983–1985); Chairman, United Artists Pictures (1985–1989); President, Amblin Television (1991–1995) |
| Current roles | CEO, Thomopoulos Productions; Vice Chairman, Kartoon Studios (since 2014) |
| Marriages | Anne Thomopoulos (1961–1983); Cristina Ferrare (m. April 20, 1985) |
| Children | Three children from first marriage (names private); Alexandra “Alex” (b. Nov 25, 1986); Arianna (b. Mar 9, 1989) |
| Public profile | Industry-focused, philanthropic, low public controversy |
From the Bronx to the network suite
Tony Thomopoulos, son of Greek immigrants Denis and Anna, was raised in Wakefield, Bronx. He studied at Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, indicating a strategic and open-minded mentality. After working at NBC, he joined ABC under Barry Diller in 1973. They quickly rose to the pinnacle of network entertainment.
ABC: programming power and corporate leadership (1973–1985)
Thomopoulos spent a dozen pivotal years shaping prime-time television. His tenure included:
| Role | Years |
|---|---|
| Vice President, Prime-Time Programs | (early rise — 1970s) |
| President, ABC Entertainment | 1978–1983 |
| President, ABC Broadcast Group | 1983–1985 |
He handled complex discussions and programming decisions that determined schedules and careers. Cancelling ambitious but unsuccessful shows and controlling star deals were routine. ABC’s schedule and corporate image changed under his leadership.
Film leadership at United Artists (1985–1989)
Thomopoulos left network television to become United Artists Pictures chairman in 1985. He balanced studio risk with audience reach on commercial and star-driven productions like Baby Boom (1987) and The Living Daylights (1987) between 1985 and 1989. This showed his cross-medium agility: television instincts applied to film product strategy.
Independent ventures, Amblin Television, and program placement (1989–1995)
He created Thomopoulos Productions in 1989 to develop films and TV. As President of Amblin Television in 1991, he made programming decisions that included placing long-running, high-impact series like ER, which helped Amblin rise to television success. He expanded his executive career in the mid-1990s by leading programming at The Family Channel/MTM from Amblin.
2000s and beyond: art, production, and animation
After leading Thomas Kinkade’s Media Arts Group from 2001 to 2004, Thomopoulos founded Morning Light Productions. His work merged commercial media with lifestyle and art-driven IP brand-building. He has been Vice Chairman at Kartoon Studios, an animation and media firm, since 2014 while running his own production label.
Family life and the next generation
Tony’s private life has appeared in the media. His first marriage to Anne in 1961 produced three children with limited public personas. After a 1983 divorce, he married Cristina Ferrare on April 20, 1985. Cristina models, hosts, and writes. The couple has two daughters:
| Child | Birthdate | Public role |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandra “Alex” Thomopoulos | November 25, 1986 | Comedian-chef, television personality |
| Arianna Diana Thomopoulos | March 9, 1989 | Actress and television host |
Both girls work in culinary entertainment, lifestyle programming, and on-camera hosting, demonstrating family media and performance continuity.
Public-facing character and philanthropy
Taloid coverage is rare for Thomopoulos. His public image is industry-focused and charitable. He holds senior positions in Greek-American and community and cultural groups that represent his ancestry and service orientation. He has spoken publicly on caregiving and family life, including Cristina’s cancer treatment, as part of a narrative on partnership and resilience.
Career profile: leadership traits and legacy
His decades-long career has been marked by programming judgment and executive adaptability. From network programming to studio leadership to independent production and branded media, he translated audience knowledge into business strategy. He indirectly influenced popular culture through program line-ups, film slates, and development deals that shaped viewers’ choices for generations.
Recent activity and public presence
Thomopoulos focused on family, philanthropy, and board-level media in the 2010s and early 2020s. He and Cristina appeared on podcasts and interviews about long-term marriage and life in the industry. In June 2023, they reflected on their decades together as an example of shared support. His role as vice chairman of Kartoon Studios and Thomopoulos Productions keeps him involved in content creation and business development.
FAQ
Who is Anthony Thomopoulos?
Greek-American television and film executive Anthony Denis “Tony” Thomopoulos managed ABC programming, chaired United Artists Pictures, and formed Thomopoulos Productions.
Where did he grow up and study?
He grew up in Wakefield, the Bronx, and graduated from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service.
What were his major network roles?
He served as President of ABC Entertainment from 1978 to 1983 and President of the ABC Broadcast Group from 1983 to 1985.
Which films and studios did he oversee?
He chaired United Artists Pictures from 1985 to 1989, overseeing studio films including Baby Boom and The Living Daylights.
What is Thomopoulos Productions?
Founded in 1989, Thomopoulos Productions is his independent company focused on film and television development and production.
What role did he play at Amblin Television?
He was President of Amblin Television from 1991 to 1995 and was involved during the period when hits like ER found long-running broadcast life.
Who is his current spouse and when did they marry?
He married Cristina Ferrare on April 20, 1985; she is a model, author, and television personality.
What are the names and careers of his daughters?
He and Cristina have two daughters: comedian-chef Alexandra “Alex” (born November 25, 1986) and actress and TV host Arianna (born March 9, 1989).
Is he involved in philanthropy or community organizations?
Yes; he participates in Greek-American and philanthropic circles, including organizational roles tied to cultural and religious institutions.
Has he been involved in controversies?
He is well known as a seasoned executive with no major public disputes or legal concerns.
