Veteran TV Exec Norman Horowitz Passes Away

LOS ANGELES: Norman Horowitz, the former president and CEO of MGM/UA Telecommunications, passed away earlier this week at his home in Los Angeles. He was 82.

Horowitz suffered a heart attack at his Beverly Hills home. He is is survived by his son, Steven G. Horowitz, daughter-in-law Katie Danziger and their children, Jake, Jilly and Josie; his daughter, Eileen Horowitz Bastianelli, and her daughters, Lola and Maya; and his ex-wife, Florence Horowitz.

Horowitz's entertainment career began in 1956 at Screen Gems, where he was an editing room assistant. He rose through the ranks at Columbia Pictures Television, and briefly left to work at CBS/Viacom from 1968 to 1970 before returning and becoming president of the TV group at Columbia. He went on to found Polygram Television and then served as the president and CEO of MGM/UA Telecommunications.

Known for his wit, incredible deal savvy and a global network of industry executives and friends, Horowitz was often referred to as “the best distribution man in the business.”

A memorial service is being planned for this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the New York chapter of the March of Dimes organization.