Kim Lemasters
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
A former TV executive, whose duties included a stint as president of CBS Entertainment, Kim LeMasters has also been an independent producer both before and after serving as president of Stephen J Cannell Productions
LeMasters began his career at ABC in 1972 serving as supervisor of primetime development. During his years at that network, LeMasters had a hand in the development of such series as "Starsky and Hutch," "Harry O" and "Kung Fu." In 1974, LeMasters joined Warner Bros. TV as director of development, having a role in placing "Alice" and "Wonder Woman" on the air. LeMasters was lured to CBS in 1976 as director of drama development and later was promoted to vice president. Under his aegis, such legendary hits as "Dallas" and "Knots Landing" were launched. LeMasters rose up the ranks at CBS, but in 1984, stymied in his progress at the network, he left to join the Walt Disney Company as executive vice president, theatricals. The time away was short-lived as LeMasters rejoined CBS in 1985 as vice president miniseries; within two years, he had moved closer to the crown as vice president, programming. In 1988, he won the brass ring, being named president of CBS Entertainment, a period during which the Eye network launched "Murphy Brown" and "Wiseguy," fell to third place in the ratings wars and was undergoing corporate upheaval. LeMasters resigned from CBS in 1989, bruised and battered but under his own steam. He formed his own LeMasters Productions with a deal at Lorimar, but eventually joined Stephen J Cannell Productions as president in 1992, taking the reigns of a company with such programs as "The Commish," "Renegade" and "Silk Stalkings" in its mix. When New World bought Cannell Prods. in 1995, LeMasters' contract was shifted to a production deal. As a producer, LeMasters has blossomed. He already had created the syndicated series "Hawkeye" in 1994 and in 1996, launched "Two," a one-hour drama syndicated series under his own banner. LeMasters also executive produced a "Wiseguy" reunion movie that aired on ABC in 1996. In 1997, he executive produced a busted pilot for a new version of the hits CBS series "Hawaii Five-0." For the big screen, LeMasters was one of the producers of "Wild Wild West" (1999), which teamed Will Smith and George Clooney in the roles originated on TV by Robert Conrad and the late Ross Martin. Later that year, he was appointed as chairman and CEO of Replay Networks Inc., a digital home video recording company.
Filmography
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Producer (Special)
Life Events
1972
Began career as supervisor, primetime development at ABC
1974
Joined team at Warner Bros. TV
1976
Named director, drama development at CBS
1984
Appointed executive vice president, theatricals at Disney
1985
Returned to CBS as vice president, miniseries
1987
Appointed vice president programming, CBS Entertainment
1992
Joined Stephen J Cannell Productions as president
1994
Created syndicated "Hawkeye" series
1995
When Cannell was sold to New World, shifted back to production with a contact with the company
1996
Launched the syndicated series "Two"
1999
Appointed chair and CEO fo the digital home video recording company Replay Networks, Inc.
Family
Companions
