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 25
TV Shows 22
Creator 11
Producer 8
Writer 6
Movies 3
The Challenge UK (2023)
The Challenge Australia (2022)
The Challenge: USA (2022)
The Real World Homecoming (2021)
Bad Girls All-Star Battle (2013)
Mrs. Eastwood & Company (2012)
Married to Rock (2010)
Spring Break Challenges (2010)
Love Games: Bad Girls Need Love Too (2010)
Models of the Runway (2009)
Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami (2009)
Bad Girls Road Trip (2007)
Reunited: The Real World Las Vegas (2007)
Bad Girls Club (2006)
The Simple Life (2003)
Starting Over (2003)
The Real Cancun (2003)
Making the Band 2 (2002)
The Real World Movie: The Lost Season (2002)
Love Cruise (2001)
The Challenge (1998)
The Real World Reunion: Inside Out (1996)
Road Rules (1995)
The Real World (1992)
Santa Barbara (1984)
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.
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