Richard Ballinger

On Friday, May 21, 2021, Richard Ballinger, loving father and grandfather of three children, passed away at age 84. Richard was born on April 24, 1937 in New York City to Jack and Charlotte Ballinger. He attended Barnard School for Boys, and graduated from Dartmouth College in 1958 with a BA in Art History. He married Ann B Casey in 1964. They raised two sons, Joshua and Daniel. He had a successful and colorful career in broadcasting both as an executive and mentor to younger executives. He was the Director of Programming for Metromedia Television through the 1970’s and 1980’s and later in the early 1990’s, he managed Act III Broadcasting, an independent television consortium headed by Norman Lear. Richard was instrumental in raising the profile of Channel 5 in NYC prior to Fox, and independent television in general in the 1970’s and 1980’s, by bringing to the fore movies and popular syndicated programs like Mash, All in the Family, and Soul Train. Richard was also involved in developing original programming like the 10’Oclock News, Sports Extra, Midday Live With Bill Boggs, and Wonderama.

Richard had a passion for antiques and gardening, which he cultivated during his retirement at his colonial estate in upstate NY, prior to moving to Princeton NJ to be closer to his family. He frequently traveled around the world and loved art, literature, history, and philosophy, as well as working to help Jewish organizations like Central Synagogue and Hillel. He also loved boxing and football, which he enjoyed watching in his spare time. Richard was preceded in death by his wife Ann. He is survived by his children, Joshua and Daniel, his sister Enid, cousins, nieces, nephews, and three grandchildren. A funeral service will be held Friday May 28 at 10: 30am at Riverside Cemetery in Saddle Brook NJ. Please send Donations to Central Synagogue in NYC, Hillel, or the Princeton Food Pantry.