Frederick Schneier

Frederick Schneier died peacefully in his Los Angeles home on Thursday, September 15, 2022 with Joyce, his beloved wife of 67 years, and devoted daughter, Diane Schneier Perrin, by his side. Fred was born on May 31, 1927 to Jennie and Herman Schneier and brother Elliott in Brooklyn, New York. He is survived by his loving family: Joyce, Diane, son-in-law Bryce, adored grandson Alec, nieces, grandniece, grandnephews and his many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his cherished daughter Robin.

Turning eighteen in 1945, Fred served as a merchant marine after the end of WWII. He later served a year as a US Army Broadcast Radio Specialist headquartered at Fort Dix, New Jersey. His experiences aboard ship traveling to international ports of call sparked his wanderlust, and set him on a path to explore the world and other cultures.

Fred attended New York University to study business with an emphasis on marketing and received both his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from the university. Following graduation, Fred met Joyce and after a year-long courtship they married in 1955.

An Entertainment Industry veteran of over 45 years, Fred began his career in New York in 1953 at RKO Teleradio in Research and later Marketing Services. In 1958 he and his mentor Robert C. Manby founded Showcorporation of America, an international distributor of film and television productions. At Showcorporation, Fred cultivated an international network, and fostered what became a lifelong passion for global storytelling. Fred returned to RKO briefly in 1972, moving into Television Programming before joining the American subsidiary of London-based Hemdale Leisure Corporation in 1973 as its VP/COO. During his tenure, Hemdale produced film and television projects, the Ali-Foreman fight in Zaire and Evel Knievel's Snake River Canyon Jump.

In 1979, Fred commenced his more than fourteen-year relationship with Viacom International as SVP, Film Acquisitions at Viacom Enterprises. Four years later the company relocated Fred and Joyce to Los Angeles in support of its launch of Showtime Networks, Inc. where Fred served as VP, Acquisitions before rising to EVP, Programming which expanded his responsibilities to include all of the cable network’s programming and production. Under his stewardship the network created and executed the exclusive acquisition of major film packages and concluded over a billion dollars in licenses for the films of many of the major studios and numerous independent production companies. Fred also introduced championship boxing and other high-profile events to Showtime’s regular schedule. In 1989, Viacom International launched Viacom Pictures with Fred at the helm as President and CEO. Among the titles Viacom Pictures produced over the next three years were the critically acclaimed and award-winning, Paris Trout, Taking the Heat and The Wrong Man bringing the talent, experience and cache of Hollywood feature film writers, directors and A-list stars to the small screen in the US and to theatres abroad. In 1993, Fred’s own banner, FSA Film Enterprises, was established to serve as a film production company and liaison providing production and marketing services in both the domestic and international film markets. Between 1993-1998, in addition to serving consulting clients including Spelling, ITC, Orbit Communications and Viacom Pictures/Showtime Networks, Inc., FSA Film Enterprises developed original films, Convict Cowboy starring Jon Voight and then newcomer Kyle Chandler and Run for the Dream, the story of Olympian Gail Devers, starring Lou Gossett Jr. and Charlayne Woodard. Fred produced these titles with daughter Diane for Showtime.

Over his distinguished life and career, Fred advocated for and served many non-profits, most notably The United Way and as a board member and Chairman and CEO of AFMA, the American Film Marketing Association.

Fred was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather. He held his love of family,

myriad friendships and mentorships as among the highest and most meaningful of his accomplishments in his long and storied life. May his memory be a blessing.