Ex-Head of Programming at Food Network and Cooking Channel Dies at 63

Industry veteran Deirdre “Didi” O’Hearn, most recently head of programming and development for Food Network and Cooking Channel, passed away Monday after a long battle with lung cancer, her husband Richard Eckerstrom confirmed to Deadline. O’Hearn had recently entered hospice in Florida and passed away with her husband, two sons, and two brothers by her side. She was 63.

During her tenure at Food Network and Cooking Channel, O’Hearn was responsible for overseeing existing shows and creating new programming for both daytime and primetime. Her contributions significantly shaped the networks’ offerings and viewership.

O’Hearn joined Food Network and Cooking Channel from WE tv, where she was Vice President of Development and Talent. At WE tv, she helped create original series and specials that defined the brand, including popular titles like Mary Mary, Kendra On Top, and L.A. Hair. Before her stint at WE tv, O’Hearn served as Vice President in charge of the New York office of Darlow Smithson Productions, a non-fiction media producer.

Earlier in her career, O’Hearn spent 16 years with A&E Television Networks. As Vice President of Non-Fiction and Alternative Programming, she developed and launched the successful reality series Gene Simmons Family Jewels. She also served as the Director of Programming for the Biography Channel and Executive Producer of the Emmy-winning Biography series. In her earlier roles at A&E and History, she produced biographies on notable figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Truman Capote, Senator John McCain, and Eva Peron.

O’Hearn was nominated for six Emmy Awards, five of which were for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series for A&E Networks’ Biography. She was a respected member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT).

She is survived by her husband, two children, and four brothers.

Contributions in memory of O’Hearn can be made to NYU Langone Health Perlmutter Cancer Center.

Source: Deadline