James Bogdanoff, a senior producer of Good Morning America, died overnight after a four-month battle with esophageal cancer. In a note to the staff, GMA Senior EP Jim Murphy writes, “He was a total joy to be with at work. Friendly, caring, a guy without a mean bone in his body. Few are like him in this business. We will miss him very much because of that.” Murphy’s note follows after the jump.
>More from an emailer: “GMA is a very very sad place today — James was one of the good guys.”
—- Original Message —-
From: Murphy, Jim
To: #ABCTV GMA ALL; #ABCTV Breaking News
Cc: Sawyer, Diane; Westin, David L; McGrady, Phyllis;
Sent: Fri Feb 29 07:59:22 2008
Subject:
This weekend will be a time of sadness and reflection for all of us at Good Morning America.
Our dear friend, wonderful colleague, sweet, sweet man, James Bogdanoff has passed away. As most of you know, James waged a long and tough struggle against cancer. He lost overnight, but we’re told he died peacefully at home. He was with his amazing wife Robin and beautiful daughter Phoebe.
For those of you who don’t know a lot about James, his entire life was a testament to what is best in men. At work with us, he LOVED television, loved bringing the cares, hopes, passions and thoughts of his friends and neighbors, real people, to what we produced each day for America. Nobody had a better eye for a picture that would glue people to a television set.
He was a total joy to be with at work. Friendly, caring, a guy without a mean bone in his body. Few are like him in this business. We will miss him very much because of that.
Even more important than his exceptional career, he led a more than exceptional personal life. Years ago, James accepted the burdens and joys that came when he took over the parenting of two young nephews, Russ and Justin, whose parents had tragically passed. James brought them up as his own, and apparently did a spectacular job. He married Robin, his tough, smart, funny and lovely wife and together they produced Phoebe, literally the apple of his eye. The pictures of them enjoying the Hannah Montana concert recently will break our hearts forever.
James’s mom, Phyllis, also survives him. We know she must be incredibly proud of the life he led.
We are too, and we will all be there for his family and Phoebe, for as long as they need us at their sides.
Please remember them in your thoughts and prayers this weekend, and for all the time you get to enjoy this life.
And go fishing, once, for James.