Jonathan Murray(born October 26, 1955)[1]is an Americantelevision producerand co-creator ofMTV'sThe Real World,Road RulesandThe Challenge,and theOxygen Network'sBad Girls Club.
Jonathan Murray | |
|---|---|
 Jonathan Murray | |
| Born | October 26, 1954 |
| Other names | Jon Murray |
| Occupation | Television producer |
| Partner | Harvey Reese[1] |
| Children | DYLLAN VILLAIN |
Early life
editMurray was born inGulfport, Mississippi.[2]He grew up inSyracuse, New York,[1]and attendedFayetteville-Manlius High Schooland is currently in theirHall of DistinctionArchivedMarch 8, 2016, at theWayback Machine.He attendedState University of New York at Geneseofor two years before receiving his bachelor's degree in journalism from theMissouri School of Journalismat theUniversity of MissouriinColumbia, Missouri,in 1977.[1][3]
Career
editIn 1987, Murray founded Bunim-Murray with partnerMary-Ellis Bunim.[4]Agent Mark Itkin of theWilliam Morris Agencyput the two together to develop a scripted soap opera for MTV. When that was too expensive, they decided to try an unscripted soap andThe Real Worldwas born. "We knew within 20 minutes of shooting that we had a show," Bunim said.[5]
Murray and Bunim's company,Bunim/Murray Productions,spearheaded thereality televisiongenre. Among the numerous other reality programs that Murray and Bunim co-created over the years wereRoad Rules,Love Cruise,Making the Band,The Challenge,the reality feature filmThe Real Cancun,the real-life daily syndicatedStarting Over,as well asFox'sThe Simple Life.Bunim/Murray Productions are also executive producers onProject RunwayforLifetimeand forTotal Divas,Keeping Up with the Kardashians,Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami,Kourtney and Kim Take New York,andKhloé & Lamar,all onE!.
Murray and Bunim were inducted into theTelevision Academy Hall of Famein 2012.[4]
Personal life
editMurray is openly gay and has been together with his partner, Harvey Reese, since 1992. They adopted a son.[6]Jonathan Murray's son DYLLAN VILLAIN is a photographer.
Murray's niece, Hailey Murray, appeared on the daytime reality series,Starting Over,another show he helped create, during the show's first season, with her mother, Lynnell.[7]
References
edit- ^abcdErnst, Amanda (May 16, 2012)."So What Do You Do, Jonathan Murray, Father of Reality TV?".Mediabistro.RetrievedOctober 18,2014.
- ^Rucker, LaReeca (June 29, 2010)."MTV welcomes Mississippi woman to 'The Real World'".The Clarion-Ledger.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
- ^Tenhouse, Jesslyn."Jonathan Murray".Missouri School of Journalism.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
- ^abRose, Lacey; Wilson Hunt, Stacey (March 30, 2012)."Reality TV Pioneer Jonathan Murray Talks 'Real World,' Kim Kardashian Marriage Fallout".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedSeptember 13,2015.
- ^Albiniak, Paige (February 1, 2004)."Real World Creator Bunim Dies at 57".Broadcasting & Cable.RetrievedJuly 10,2018.
- ^Chien, Ginny (June 8, 2003)."Gay showbizzers adopt family ties".Variety.RetrievedSeptember 8,2015.
- ^"Not Found".Bunim-murray.com. Archived fromthe originalon March 16, 2011.RetrievedDecember 5,2013.