Home / Arts and Entertainment / Legendary Actor and RKO Pictures CEO Ted Hartley Dies at 100
Legendary Actor and RKO Pictures CEO Ted Hartley Dies at 100
14 Nov
Summary
- Ted Hartley, a renowned actor and two-time Tony-nominated producer, has died
- Hartley was also the chairman and CEO of RKO Pictures, which he took control of in 1991
- Hartley had a diverse career, including acting roles, military service, and business ventures
On October 10, 2025, Ted Hartley, a renowned actor and two-time Tony-nominated producer, passed away in New York City at the age of 100. Hartley was a longtime resident of the Hamptons and had a diverse career that spanned acting, military service, and business.
In 1991, Hartley and his late wife, actress Dina Merrill, took control of the famed RKO Pictures studio, which had released iconic films like King Kong and Citizen Kane. Hartley served as the chairman and CEO of RKO Pictures until his passing.
Prior to his business ventures, Hartley had a successful acting career, appearing in television shows like Peyton Place and Chopper One, as well as films such as Walk Don't Run, Murderers' Row, and Caddyshack II. Despite his self-consciousness as an actor, Hartley was able to find roles that played to his strengths.
Hartley's life was marked by a diverse range of experiences. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, served as a White House aide under President Eisenhower, and piloted jet fighters. After a carrier-landing accident in 1964, Hartley attended Harvard Business School and worked in the financial sector before turning to acting and eventually acquiring RKO Pictures.
