Longtime WBITV Exec Passes Away

BURBANK, February 8: Michel Lecourt, the VP and general
manager of French-speaking territories at Warner Bros. International
Television, passed away today after a long battle with cancer. He was 58.

In October 1967, Lecourt, then 18 years old and a student of
cinema at the French Independent Conservatory in Paris, began working as the
assistant to Richard Wilkes, who, at the time, served as the sales agent for
Warner Bros. in Paris. He was soon tapped to establish Warner Bros.’ television
business in France. He went on to create and develop the locally hosted classic
animation block known as the Warner Hour,
which served as the prototype for a format that the company went on to roll out
in several territories throughout the world.

“During his many years with the company, Michel’s name
became synonymous with Warner Bros.’ television business in France and throughout
Europe,” said Barry Meyer, the chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. “He was the
consummate executive, an astute businessman and a great ambassador for Warner
Bros. Our company is better for his having been a part of it, and we send our
thoughts and prayers to his family.”

Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, the president of Warner Bros.
International Television, noted, “Michel was a unique individual: a French
citizen with a love of the American old west and cowboy lifestyle; a European
who always drove a big American car through the streets of Paris; and a true
fan and expert on American cinema and animation with a special passion for the
Looney Tunes. He was a valued member of our team and will be terribly missed on
both a personal and a professional level.”

Lecourt is survived by his wife, Natalie, and two teenage
daughters, Nina and Anouk.