Seinfeld Director Tom Cherones Dies at 86

Tom Cherones, a celebrated director and producer renowned for his significant contributions to television comedy, passed away at 86. He died at his home in Florence, Oregon, following a battle with Alzheimer's disease. Cherones' career highlights include directing 81 of the initial 86 episodes of the beloved sitcom "Seinfeld," playing a pivotal role in establishing its unique comedic style during the show's first five seasons.

His extensive directing credits also encompass 23 episodes of "Ellen," including all but one of the second season. Cherones began his television career after serving in the U.S. Navy, starting as a production manager for "General Hospital" and later directing episodes of "My Sister Sam." He earned a DGA award in 1993 for directing "The Contest" episode of "Seinfeld."

Beyond his iconic work on "Seinfeld" and "Ellen," Cherones directed episodes for other popular series such as "Caroline in the City," "NewsRadio," "Growing Pains," and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." His directorial vision helped define the early seasons of "Seinfeld," a show that became a cultural phenomenon, and solidified his status as a key figure in television production.