Ted Turner, TV Mogul and Philanthropist, Dies at 87

Home TV News May 6, 2026 7:20am PT Ted Turner, TV Mogul and Philanthropist, Dies at 87 By Tim Gray Plus Icon Tim Gray Senior Vice President @timgray_variety Latest Richard M. Sherman, ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘It’s a Small World’ Songwriter, Dies at 95 2 years ago Roger Corman, Pioneering Independent Producer and King of B Movies, Dies at 98 2 years ago Awards Season Reflections From Variety Veteran Tim Gray 2 years ago See All BRENT HUMPHREYS Ted Turner, the charismatic, larger-than-life figure who conquered the world of media, sports and philanthropy, has died, according to a release by Turner Enterprises obtained by CNN. He was 87. Turner disclosed in September 2018 that he was suffering from Lewy body dementia, a brain disorder that affects memory and other cognitive functions. Turner, Time Magazine’s Man of the Year in 1991, transformed the world of television, inventing 24-hour news with CNN and pioneering national basic cable. To feed his “superstation,” he made deals that rewrote the rules of sports broadcasting. He was also a sports figure himself, winning the America’s Cup and owning the Atlanta Braves when they won the World Series. Related Stories 'The White Lotus' Crashes Cannes: Inside Season 4's Storyline, Helena Bonham Carter's Exit and a $120 Million Production