NATPE 2012: Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Collection Donated to USC School of Cinematic Arts

Includes correspondence from time as head of NBC Entertianment

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/23/2012 4:46:36 PM

Complete Coverage: NATPE 2012

The entire collection of industry correspondences and effects from Brandon Tartikoff, the late television and film executive, is being donated to USC's School of Cinematic Arts by his widow Lilly.

The collection includes more than 4,000 different items -- all from 1979 to 1992 -- most of which are programming and project evaluations during Tartikoff's tenure as head of NBC's Entertainment division. Also included are personal correspondences, such as a letter congratulating David Letterman after he began his short-lived David Letterman Show morning program, as well as industry addresses, speeches, presentations and press interviews.

The collection had been kept sealed since Tartikoff's death in 1997.

"Brandon would be delighted to know that his papers were being made available to SCA students. He was in many ways a teacher himself, and loved sharing his experiences in this business with others coming up the ranks," said Lilly Tartikoff.

The 9th Annual Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Awards will be held Jan. 24 during the NATPE 2012 Convention at the Fontainebleau Resort in Miami Beach, Fla.