Frank Chirkinian Bio/Wiki, Net Worth, Married 2018
Frank Chirkinian (June 3, 1926 – March 4, 2011) was an Armenian-American CBS Sports producer and director. He is most notable for his work on golf coverage, though he also directed coverage of the Winter Olympics, the United States Open Tennis Championships, college and professional American football, auto racing and the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. He died at his Florida home after suffering from lung cancer. Shortly before his death, Chirkinian was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame; he was inducted posthumously.
June 3, 1926, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died
March 4, 2011, North Palm Beach, Florida, United States
Place Of Birth
USA
Profession
Producer
Education
University of Pennsylvania
Spouse
Mary Jane Chirkinian (m. ?–2011)
Children
Frank Chirkinian Jr.
Awards
Sports Lifetime Achievement Award
Nominations
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Special
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Quote
1
I showed lots and lots of golfers and lots and lots of golf shots and I try never to subordinate the event to my ego. When I die, I want my epitaph to read, 'He stayed out of the way.'
2
In rehearsals I was profane as could be. I ripped everybody. We had seven announcers all wanting air time, and it was important they remember I was the boss. I treated my crew almost like children, and let's face it, sometimes children need to be spanked. It was a form of tough love.
3
On his nickname "Ayatollah:" Pat Summerall gave me the name in the late 1970s, when the Shah of Iran was deposed and replaced by Khomenini. I admit, reluctantly, that I enjoyed the nickname. If nothing else, it beat being called Hitler.
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Fact
1
He was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida and will be inducted posthumously in May 2011.
2
He directed coverage of the Winter Olympics, the United States Open tennis tournament, college and professional football, auto racing, and thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown for CBS Sports. He was a four time recipient of the Emmy Awards.
3
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Chirkinian of North Palm Beach, Florida and son, Frank Chirkinian Jr. of West Palm Beach, Florida.
4
He lived in Augusta, Georgia where he oversaw the Golf Masters tournaments. He was part owner of the Emerald Dunes Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
5
Son of Armenian immigrants raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia but left in 1950 to be employed as an assistant director's post at WCAU-TV, CBS affiliate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was hired in 1958 for the network full-time after covering the PGA Championships in Havertown, Pennsylvania.
6
Produced the first PGA Championship in 1958, the first televised Winter Olympics, and produced 38 editions of the Masters for CBS.
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
The 1970 Masters Tournament
1970
TV Mini-Series producer - 5 episodes
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
ESPN 25: Who's #1?
2004-2006
TV Series documentary
Himself
ESPN SportsCentury
2000
TV Series documentary
Himself
Tin Cup
1996
Himself - CBS Coordinating Producer
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2008
Lifetime Achievement Award
Sports Emmy Awards
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
1971
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Achievement in Sports Programming
The 1970 Masters Tournament (1970)
Known for movies
Tin Cup (1996) as Himself - CBS Coordinating Producer
$900,000
