Ted Turner, the media entrepreneur who transformed television journalism by founding CNN and later became a major philanthropist and film producer, has died at the age of 87.
Turner’s death was confirmed on Wednesday by his family through Turner Enterprises and later reported by CNN and other national media outlets.
Widely credited with reshaping modern news coverage, Turner launched CNN in 1980 as the world’s first 24-hour television news network. The groundbreaking concept revolutionized how audiences consumed breaking news, turning major world events into live, around-the-clock television coverage.
CNN Worldwide Chairman and CEO Mark Thompson described Turner as fearless and deeply committed to the network he created, calling him “the presiding spirit of CNN.”
Turner was named Time magazine’s Man of the Year in 1991 for his influence on global media and communications. Beyond television, he became known for his philanthropy and international advocacy efforts, including founding the United Nations Foundation in 1998 after donating $1 billion to support the UN.
He also founded the Nuclear Threat Initiative, an organization dedicated to reducing global nuclear and biological threats.
In addition to his media empire, Turner maintained a strong interest in American history and filmmaking. Locally, he is remembered for helping bring the Civil War epic “Gettysburg” to audiences nationwide.
Turner served as executive producer of the 1993 film, which was based on Michael Shaara’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Killer Angels.” Much of the movie was filmed on location at Gettysburg National Military Park and surrounding areas in Adams County, drawing thousands of reenactors and generating significant local interest during production.
The film, directed by Ronald F. Maxwell, featured performances by actors including Tom Berenger as Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, Jeff Daniels as Col. Joshua Chamberlain and Martin Sheen as Gen. Robert E. Lee. Turner himself reportedly had a strong personal interest in Civil War history and played an important role in supporting historically detailed productions through Turner Pictures.
“Gettysburg” became one of the most recognized Civil War films ever produced and remains popular among history enthusiasts more than three decades later.
Turner sold Turner Broadcasting System, which included CNN, to Time Warner during the 1990s. In 2018, he publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a progressive neurological disorder.
He is survived by five children, 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Source: The Guardian