Council Biography

Tom Nunan is the president of entertainment at UPN, The United Paramount Network. He is responsible for all aspects of entertainment programming for the network. Nunan joined the network on Oct. 13, 1997.

Beyond bringing UPN to prominence as the "fifth" network (between FOX and WB), Nunan has helped reposition UPN's creative image by bringing sought-after performers and producers into the network fold. From Emmy and Oscar award winners Tom Fontana and Barry Levinson, to superstar filmmakers Joel Silver and John McTiernan, to globally recognized radio personality Howard Stern, Nunan has nurtured relationships and corralled Hollywood's top talent.

Nunan has been responsible for the development and scheduling of the action drama 7 Days, the comedy hit The Parkers, which ranks first among all network programs with African-American viewers, and a two-hour movie block that was part of the network's expansion to five nights of programming. In addition, he helped bring one of network television's newest hits, WWF Smackdown! to UPN this past season. Nunan has also directed the consolidation of the network's stable of programming with last summer's successful Source Hip-Hop Awards, which will return to UPN this fall. Also this fall, Nunan is working with Howard Stern on a half-hour animated series, Doomsday, and has paired with Joel Silver to create a one-hour action drama, Freedom.

Prior to joining UPN, Nunan was the senior vice president at NBC, Inc., head of NBC StudiosÕ primetime series, a position he held for two years. Under his leadership, NBC Studios became the largest supplier of primetime programming for the NBC Television Network. During his tenure, Nunan oversaw the development of half-hour comedies such as Working and In the House. He was also responsible for the development of the one-hour dramas Profiler and The Pretender, and for the production duties surrounding Homicide: Life on the Street. The last script he developed before leaving NBC Studios was the half-hour comedy Will & Grace.

Prior to joining NBC Studios, Nunan was the executive vice president in charge of primetime development for FOX Broadcasting Company. There he was responsible for all areas of development for the network, including drama, comedy, alternative programming and late night. Previously, he was the senior vice president in charge of comedy at FOX Broadcasting Company, where he helped develop the series Martin, Living Single, The George Carlin Show, and Bakersfield, P.D.

From 1988-91, Nunan was the executive director of made-for-TV movies at ABC Television Network, where he supervised over 30 telefeatures. Before ABC, he was vice president in charge of movies, miniseries and dramas at Weintraub Entertainment Group, managing production of the studio's drama development division. From 1986-88, he was vice president of movies and miniseries for Fries Entertainment.

A graduate of UCLA's film school, Nunan began his career as a reader for HBO Premiere Films while still attending college.