JamesG
06-30-2026, 06:20 PM
"South Park" Creators, Jean Smart, Ted Danson and Ted Sarandos Among Seven to Be Inducted into TV Academy Hall of Fame
by Scott Feinberg
June 30, 2026
Legendary TV comedy performers Ted Danson and Jean Smart, irreverent "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, current Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, former HBO Documentary Films chief Sheila Nevins and the late "60 Minutes" correspondent Ed Bradley will be inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame, the organization announced Tuesday.
The seven, who constitute the 28th class of inductees since the establishment of the Hall of Fame in 1984, will be feted at a ceremony on the opening night of Televerse, the Television Academy’s official festival, on Thursday, Aug. 13.
“These visionary performers, creators, executives and storytellers have made a profound and enduring impact on the television industry,” Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy, said in a statement.
“Through their innovation, talent and dedication to their craft, they have helped transform and enrich the medium, influencing generations of audiences and professionals alike. We are proud to induct these distinguished individuals into the Hall of Fame and celebrate their extraordinary contributions to the growth and advancement of television.”
Ted Danson is an Emmy Award-winning and Golden Globe Award-winning actor known for an array of exceptional performances, most memorably for his portrayal of Boston bartender Sam Malone on NBC’s multi-award-winning, iconic comedy "Cheers", which ran for 11 seasons and won three Emmys as Best Comedy Series.
Most recently, Danson has starred in the Netflix comedy series, "A Man on the Inside" and has played himself in the quintessential comedy "Curb Your Enthusiasm", which recently concluded its 12th and final season on HBO.
Danson also starred in the acclaimed NBC comedy "The Good Place" for which he was nominated for his 14th Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor and received a Critics Choice Award for his role as “Michael.”
In addition to acting and producing, Danson is an environmental activist, co-founding the American Oceans Campaign in 1987, which merged with Oceana in 2001, and shows citizens how they can participate in protecting and restoring marine resources.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tv-academy-hall-of-fame-class-of-2026-1236633596/
by Scott Feinberg
June 30, 2026
Legendary TV comedy performers Ted Danson and Jean Smart, irreverent "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, current Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, former HBO Documentary Films chief Sheila Nevins and the late "60 Minutes" correspondent Ed Bradley will be inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame, the organization announced Tuesday.
The seven, who constitute the 28th class of inductees since the establishment of the Hall of Fame in 1984, will be feted at a ceremony on the opening night of Televerse, the Television Academy’s official festival, on Thursday, Aug. 13.
“These visionary performers, creators, executives and storytellers have made a profound and enduring impact on the television industry,” Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy, said in a statement.
“Through their innovation, talent and dedication to their craft, they have helped transform and enrich the medium, influencing generations of audiences and professionals alike. We are proud to induct these distinguished individuals into the Hall of Fame and celebrate their extraordinary contributions to the growth and advancement of television.”
Ted Danson is an Emmy Award-winning and Golden Globe Award-winning actor known for an array of exceptional performances, most memorably for his portrayal of Boston bartender Sam Malone on NBC’s multi-award-winning, iconic comedy "Cheers", which ran for 11 seasons and won three Emmys as Best Comedy Series.
Most recently, Danson has starred in the Netflix comedy series, "A Man on the Inside" and has played himself in the quintessential comedy "Curb Your Enthusiasm", which recently concluded its 12th and final season on HBO.
Danson also starred in the acclaimed NBC comedy "The Good Place" for which he was nominated for his 14th Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor and received a Critics Choice Award for his role as “Michael.”
In addition to acting and producing, Danson is an environmental activist, co-founding the American Oceans Campaign in 1987, which merged with Oceana in 2001, and shows citizens how they can participate in protecting and restoring marine resources.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/tv-academy-hall-of-fame-class-of-2026-1236633596/