Tom Cherones, the Emmy-winning director and producer of “Seinfeld,” has passed away at the age of 86. Cherones died on January 5, 2026, at his home in Florence, Oregon, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, according to family statements. He was celebrated for his work in shaping one of television’s most iconic sitcoms.See more…
Cherones is best known for directing and producing at least 81 of the first 86 episodes of “Seinfeld” during the show’s first five seasons. His work helped define the visual style and comedic timing that made the series a global phenomenon.
During his career, Cherones won an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1993, alongside Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David. He also received multiple Emmy nominations and earned a Directors Guild of America award for his work on the famous episode “The Contest.”
Before his television career took off, Cherones studied journalism at the University of New Mexico and earned a master’s degree in telecommunications from the University of Alabama. He also served four years as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. His early career included work in educational television and as a production manager on shows like General Hospital.
Beyond “Seinfeld,” Cherones directed episodes for series such as Ellen, NewsRadio, Caroline in the City, Growing Pains, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. He also taught television production at the University of Alabama and was inducted into the Alabama Stage and Screen Hall of Fame. Cherones is survived by his third wife, Carol, two children, and two grandchildren.
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