January 2021

Richard Lindheim was a television executive, producer, author and writer with nearly four decades of entertainment industry experience. He co-created the original Universal Television series “The Equalizer,” which aired on the Network from 1985-1989.

Lindheim began his career in entertainment at NBC where he served as Vice President of Program Research for nine years, before moving on to act as Vice President for Dramatic Programs. He went on to work for Universal Television as a producer and senior executive, during which time he produced television staples, including “The Equalizer,” “Murder She Wrote,” “Columbo,” “Miami Vice” and “Law & Order.”

He jumped to Paramount Television Group 12 years later where he spent seven years as an executive vice president. Responsible for exploring and developing new uses of television expertise in entertainment, he pioneered the launch of Paramount Digital Entertainment.

Lindheim took his extensive television and technology research experience to the Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California. During his tenure as executive director, he led the institute from its inception to its status as a leader in computer science research.

A member of the Writers Guild of America, Lindheim wrote articles for Variety, Electronic Media, Broadcasting and other trade publications. Additionally, he authored two textbooks about television.

Sadly, Richard Lindheim passed away on Jan. 18, 2021 at the age of 81. Per his son-in-law Ezra Dweck, “He was watching dailies of The Equalizer til the last day; he was so excited to see the show go into production and was ready to tune in and watch the premiere.”