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 Dana Walden |
9. Dana Walden
President, 20th Century Fox Television
At a glance: In the seven years since becoming the first female president of a major TV studio, Dana Walden, along with fellow president Gary Newman, has built a formidable talent roster and a slate of acclaimed and successful TV series. Education: B.A., communications, USC. Big Deal: "For me, the most significant deal of the past year was making a new long-term deal with Kiefer Sutherland to continue on '24' and to start a production company with us. Secondly, it was the series order on 'Drive.' It was a project that everyone at the studio had so much passion for and believed in." Year in Review: 20th TV had the highest number of sophomore series this fall with the return of CBS' "How I Met Your Mother" and "The Unit," Fox's "Prison Break," "Bones" and "The Loop" and NBC's "My Name Is Earl." After a promising start, the studio's new legal drama "Shark," starring James Woods, was picked up by CBS for a full season. And veteran "24" triumphed at the Emmys, winning five awards, including best drama series and actor for Sutherland. Key to Success: "Ultimately, it's about hiring people that you trust, whose taste and values are similar to yours." Up Next: After focusing on their first-year shows last season, 20th TV brass have shifted their attention to development this season with comedy projects from Barbie Feldman Adler, Brad Copeland, Victor Fresco, David Hemingson and Abraham Higginbotham. "We're off to a very good start," Walden says. |
