Grant Almerin Tinker, who has owned a home in Stamford, turns 90 on Sunday. The businessman and television producer was born Jan. 11, 1925, in Stamford, Conn.
He founded MTM Enterprises with his then-wife Mary Tyler Moore in 1969 and produced the company's first television series, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." He later produced popular American sitcoms and drama television series such as "Rhoda," "The Bob Newhart Show," "WKRP in Cincinnati," "Hill Street Blues" and "St. Elsewhere."
In 1981, Tinker became the chairman and chief executive officer of then last-place American television network (in terms of Nielsen ratings and profits) NBC and during his tenure the network regained ratings and produced popular shows such as "The Cosby Show," "Family Ties," "The Golden Girls," "Cheers," "Night Court," and "Hill Street Blues."
In 2004 he wrote a book, with Bud Rukeyser, titled "Tinker in Television."
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