TV icon Andy Friendly, programming executive at CNBC and King World, has sadly died at the age of 74 – just months after his famous wife. Andy was the son of CBS star Fred Friendly, best known for producing Entertainment Tonight, and was married to NBC‘s Please Don’t Eat the Daisies star Patricia Crowley for 39 years.
Andy died at his Bel-Air home on Sunday (January 4), his brother David confirmed, though no cause of death has been given. A statement from Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav said of the star: “Andy was a brilliant producer and an exceptional leader who helped define CNBC during a pivotal period of growth and creativity.
“He had an extraordinary ability to spot talent, nurture ideas and bring out the very best in the people around him.
“But beyond his professional accomplishments, Andy was a special person and a dear and loyal friend. He led with generosity, humour and heart, and he cared very deeply about people.
“Andy made everyone feel valued, and his unique kindness and integrity will be remembered, just as powerfully as his creative legacy.”
Andy’s wife Patricia – who also starred in everything from Forever Female alongside Ginger Rogers and the 1960 flick Key Witness – died aged 91 in September 2025.
She passed away from natural causes in Los Angeles, her son confirmed.
Patricia’s children – son Jon and daughter Ann – came from her first marriage to Ed Hookstratten, from whom she separated in the 1980s. She tied the knot with Andy in 1986.
Tributes have flooded in for Andy on social media, with one fan writing: “Another legend who built the blueprint. Respect.”
“He helped shape modern entertainment news, his impact on the industry will be felt long after him,” someone else agreed.
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