Anthony "Tony" Vinciquerra (born August 30, 1954) is an American film executive who is the current Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

Early life

Vinciquerra was born in Albany, New York, and grew up with three sisters in a three bedroom apartment. He performed various odd jobs in his youth, and began working in radio ad sales in college. After graduating from

University at Albany The State University of New York at Albany, commonly referred to as the University at Albany, UAlbany or SUNY Albany, is a public research university with campuses in Albany, Rensselaer, and Guilderland, New York. Founded in 1844, it is one ...

in 1977, he moved into television ad sales and eventually was named COO of Hearst-Argyle Television in New York in 1999.

Career

Vinciquerra climbed through the ranks of television broadcasting ad sales. He served as Chairman of

Fox Networks Group Fox Networks Group (FNG) is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company that oversees international television assets that were acquired from 21st Century Fox. It produces and distributes more than 300 entertainment, film, sports and factual channe ...

, which included Fox Cable Networks, Fox Broadcasting, and Fox International Channels, from 2001 to 2011. He then spent time as an entertainment consultant and advisor at

TPG Capital TPG Inc., previously known as Texas Pacific Group and TPG Capital, is an American investment company based in Fort Worth, Texas. The private equity firm is focused on leveraged buyouts and growth capital. TPG manages investment funds in growth c ...

. In 2009, Vinciquerra was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. In May, 2017, it was announced that Vinciquerra would be filling the role of CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, left vacant by Michael Lynton, after he announced his departure for Snap, Inc. Vinciquerra was hired by Sony Corporation CEO Kazuo Hirai to oversee the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group,

Sony Pictures Television Sony Pictures Television Inc. (abbreviated as SPT) is an American television production and distribution studio. Based at the Sony Pictures Studios complex in Culver City, it is a division of Sony Entertainment's unit Sony Pictures Entertainme ...

and worldwide media networks. He is credited with reversing a downward trend of film box office performances, as well as strengthening the television division.

''Jeopardy!'' host replacement

In his role overseeing

, Vinciquerra was involved in the hirings of Mike Richards and

Mayim Bialik Mayim Chaya Bialik ( ; born December 12, 1975) is an American actress, game show host, and author. From 1991 to 1995, she played the title character of the NBC sitcom ''Blossom''. From 2010 to 2019, she played neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler on ...

as co-moderators of the television quiz show ''

Jeopardy! ''Jeopardy!'' is an American game show created by Merv Griffin. The show is a quiz competition that reverses the traditional question-and-answer format of many quiz shows. Rather than being given questions, contestants are instead given gene ...

'' in 2021 after the death of longtime host Alex Trebek. Before any of his episodes aired, Richards stepped down from his position after several insensitive comments made on his podcast emerged. Vinciquerra and Ravi Ahuja, chairman of Sony Pictures' global television division, managed the resumed search for the permanent host of the daily syndicated version. The renewed effort concluded in July 2022 with deals for Bialik and

Ken Jennings Kenneth Wayne Jennings III (born May 23, 1974) is an American game show host, author, and former game show contestant. He is the highest-earning American game show contestant, having won money on five different game shows, including $4,522,70 ...

as the show's rotating co-hosts. Reactions to the decision were mixed, owing to the majority of fans' preference for Jennings.

Personal life

In 2001, Vinciquerra moved to Los Angeles and met his wife, Toni Knight, an advertising executive who now owns her own firm.

References

External links

* Living people American business executives 1954 births Film distributors (people) Sony Pictures Entertainment people University at Albany, SUNY alumni {{US-film-bio-stub