The Boy Wonder Years

Highlights of Brandon Tartikoff’s career

1976: Hired from ABC-owned WLS in Chicago to the network’s West Coast programming department.

1978: Moves to NBC as director of comedy programs.

1980: Is the youngest person ever named head of a network entertainment division when, at age 31, he is promoted at NBC.

1983: Appears on “Saturday Night Live” on Oct. 8 and does a stand-up comedy routine ridiculing his own network’s programming.

1984: Is named president of NBC Productions, an in-house production group, retains presidency of NBC Entertainment .

1986: Under Tartikoff’s direction, NBC wins its first prime-time ratings race in 31 years. Five of the 10 most popular series are on NBC, led by “The Cosby Show” and “Family Ties,” which are No. 1 and 2, respectively.

1986: General Electric purchases NBC; Tartikoff and other executives are quoted as saying the change in ownership will have no effect on programming.

1988: Named president of the NBC Program Development Group in addition to other duties.

1990: Relinquishes presidency of NBC entertainment, named head of newly formed NBC Entertainment Group.

1991: A New Year’s Day auto accident hospitalizes Tartikoff and his daughter, Calla, then 8. He doesn’t return to work until Feb. 15.

1991: Named head of Paramount Pictures on May 1.

1992: Publishes his autobiography, titled “The Last Great Ride,” which focuses on his years at NBC.

1992: In a surprise move, announces on Oct. 29 that he will leave Paramount after only 15 months as head of the studio.