‘Disgan’ producer Vin di Bona’s long term in TV Greeting by HMP
Heart warming. Wise. Amazing. These are some of the superlatives that friends and colleagues used to describe Vin di Bona during a tribute to the veteran “America’s Funniest Home Videos”, executive producer organized by Hollywood Media Professionals.
Di Bona was praised for his long term with Vin di Bona Productions and his extensive efforts to train the next generation through his work as an instructor and member of the Board of Trustees of Emerson College, his Alma Mater. After starting his career as a pop singer in his native Rhode Island, Di Bona segued in TV production, working for local TV stations such as WBZ-TV Boston and later, KCBS TV Los Angeles.
Former ‘Entertainment Tonight’ -Guesthear Mary Hart thanked Di Bona for “Going to Bat For Me” in 1982 when she auditioned for a groundbreaking NewsMagazine show that he helped to produce “Entertainment Tonight”.
The presentation of Hollywood Media Professionals Honors’ Kudo was held on 28 June at the Soundstage of Manhattan Beach, where Di Bona ‘Vourt’ sends, ABC’s permanent family favorite. The Dais van Speakers included “AD” host Alfonso Ribeiro, Rob Mills, Executive VP from UNSCRIPTED and Alternative Entertainment for Walt Disney TV; And Alyson Hannigan, co-gastheer with Ribeiro of the Di Bona-produced ABC Special ‘America’s Funniest People’. Weighing was also veteran producer Gary Grossman, who cooperates with Di Bona on his autobiography, and John Goldhammer, who was closely swaping with Di Bona on “Entertainment Tonight” and Hollywood Media Professionals President Chuck Street.
A number of notables sent included comments, including Hart, former “AD” guest tower Tom Bergeron, Henry Winkler, Dave Coulier, Jay Leno, Leeza Gibbons and Eva Larue. The event was produced by the industry veteran Ev Di Massa Jr., an old colleague of Di Bona.
Emcee Michael Burger shared personal stories about working with Di Bona. He has credited the busy producer for discovering him while Burger worked as a comic strip of cruise ship.
“I was a stand -up strip and told jokes on a cruise ship and he picked me out of the ocean, dragged me away and gave me my first break,” Burger recalled.
Di Bona was praised for his instincts in casting talent, producers and other creatives on his many series over the years. Ribeiro, the former star “Fresh Prince of Bel -Air”, has credited Di Bona with confidence in him to take the helm of the “AF” host after Tom Bergeron was bent out of the role in 2015. Ribeiro was known as a comic actor he did not have much hosting experience.
“I told Vin that I spent my entire life to let people know that my name is Alfonso, not Carlton,” said Ribeiro, with reference to his “fresh prince” character known for his distinctive dance.
“He said something so wise, and it applies to every host. He is:” It’s not about you. Show interest in someone else, and you have injected them with the medicine so powerfully that they want to come back for more. ” And 11 seasons later I think he spoke the truth, “said Ribeiro.
Hannigan, a newer recruit for the Di Bona group, noted that the congenital friendliness and consideration of the producer impressed her from the start. Di Bona’s preference to be a wetty dresser was also mentioned more than once. She remembered her first meeting with Di Bona for the crowd.
“I wait in the lobby and expect to see many people before I meet him. And the door opens, and Vin itself is greeted,” Hannigan recalled. “And of course he was in a fantastic suit, and he just walked on me and told me a wonderful story about this vintage television that was just so heartwarming. And I was hit immediately -” Oh, why isn’t everyone in the company this man? ” ‘
Disney TV Honcho Mills told the SRO -that he learned so much from working with Di Bona early in his career at ABC.
“I call this TV -Executive Fantasy camp -it’s great. This is one of the shows where you can say:” I have looked at this show all my life and now I can be lucky to work with these people, “Mills enthusiastically.
After more than an hour of superlatives, Di Bona went the stage to express his overwhelming gratitude and appreciation. He shared a long anecdote about the high-wire act of producing the TV special from 1987 that was blasted all over the world during the visit of Pope John Paul II to the United States.
Di Bona was closed by quoting the importance of the strong professional and personal tires that he has made on the road after more than 50 years in television. “There is so much love in this room and friendliness and friendship,” said Di Bona. “Thank you.”
