Biography
Mary-Ellis Bunim (July 9, 1946 – January 29, 2004) was an American television producer and co-creator of MTV's The Real World and Road Rules. A native of Massachusetts, Bunim began her career in daytime dramas. She oversaw more than 2,500 hours of programming as executive producer of Search for Tomorrow (1974–1981), As the World Turns (1981–1984), Santa Barbara (1984–1987) and Loving (1989–1990). She subsequently developed numerous shows in her job as VP of tape programs for New World Entertainment.
Bunim founded Bunim-Murray with business partner Jonathan Murray. Agent Mark Itkin of the William Morris Agency put the two together to develop a scripted soap opera for MTV. When that was too expensive, they decided to try an unscripted soap and The Real World was born. "We knew within 20 minutes of shooting that we had a show," Bunim said.
Her company, Bunim/Murray Productions, spearheaded the reality show genre. Among the numerous other reality programs and reality game show programs that Bunim co-created over the years, include: Road Rules; Love Cruise; Making the Band; The Challenge (formerly known as Real World/Road Rules Challenge and spun off from The Real World and Road Rules); the reality feature film, The Real Cancun; the real-life daily syndication, Starting Over; as well as Fox's The Simple Life.
Filmography
all 14
TV Shows 11
Writer 6
Creator 5
Movies 3
Producer 3
The Challenge UK (2023)
The Challenge Argentina: El desafío (2023)
The Challenge: USA (2022)
The Challenge: All Stars (2021)
The Real World Homecoming (2021)
Kourtney and Kim Take New York (2011)
Living Lohan (2008)
The Real Cancun (2003)
Personally Yours (2000)
Making the Band (2000)
The Challenge (1998)
The Real World Reunion: Inside Out (1996)
Road Rules (1995)
The Real World (1992)
Ratings
Information
Known ForCreator
GenderFemale
Birthday1946-07-09
Deathday2004-01-29 (57 years old)
Birth PlaceNorthampton, United States of America
CitizenshipsUnited States of America
This article uses material from Wikipedia.
- Mary-Ellis Bunim
- Filmography
- Information
- Related Persons