Tom Cherones, the television director and producer who played a key role in shaping the early years of ‘Seinfeld’, has died at the age of 86.
Cherones passed away on January 5 at his home in Florence, Oregon, following Alzheimer’s disease, a family spokesperson confirmed. He directed and produced 81 of the first 86 episodes of Seinfeld, helping define the show’s distinctive visual style and rhythm during its formative seasons.
Joining the series in 1990, Cherones brought a more cinematic approach to the multi-camera sitcom format. He directed several of the show’s most celebrated episodes, including ‘The Chinese Restaurant’, ‘The Parking Garage’ and ‘The Contest’, which later became landmarks in television comedy.
His work on Seinfeld earned him six Emmy nominations and a shared win for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1993, along with honours from the Directors Guild of America and the Golden Globes.
Born in Alabama in 1939, Cherones built a long television career that included work on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, NewsRadio, Ellen, Growing Pains and Desperate Housewives. He later taught television production at the University of Alabama.
He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.
