Suzanne de Passe
Encyclopedia
Suzanne de Passe is an American television, music and film producer. As well as the Co-Chairman of de Passe Jones Entertainment Group
. Blessed with a keen eye for talent, early in her career de Passe helped bring the Jackson 5 to his attention during their time with Motown.
She was instrumental in taking the legendary record label to television with a host of critically acclaimed and highly rated specials, including the multiple award winning Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever produced while she was President of Motown Productions
.
When Motown was sold, she partnered with her mentor in Gordy/de Passe Productions and subsequently established de Passe Entertainment in 1992. Ms. de Passe’s long association with Mr. Gordy was recently featured in the December 2008 issue of Vanity Fair: Motown the Untold Story, The Labels Greatest Legens, In Their Own Words with photography by Annie Liebovitz.
The subject of two Harvard Business School case studies: “Suzanne de Passe and Motown Productions” and “de Passe Entertainment,” Ms. de Passe has lectured at the Harvard Business School on several occasions. In 2002, de Passe was named Time Warner Visiting Professor to the Department of Radio, Television and Film at Howard University’s John H. Johnson School of Communications. A post she held for the requisite 3 years. During Howard University’s 138th Charter Day celebration in March 2006, Ms. de Passe received an honorary doctorate degree of Doctor of Humanities. Ms. de Passe is currently serving as the Producer-in-Residence at Emerson College, School of the Arts in Boston. She also served as the Emerson College 2007 Balfour Distinguished Lecturer.
Ms. de Passe served as Executive Producer of the half-hour, situation comedies, Sister, Sister
and Smart Guy, both of which aired on the WB Network and were produced in association with Paramount and Disney Television, respectively.
From 2002 until 2008 served as Executive Producer of Showtime at the Apollo
, a weekly variety program nationally syndicated by Warner Brother/Telepictures. In 2005 and 2006 she co-created, wrote, and Executive Produced the Black Movie Awards for TNT. Currently, she is developing; King the definitive film on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ms. de Passe is currently featured in HBO’s, The Black List: Vol. 2. This is the second installment of the documentary including other prominent African Americans such as filmmaker Tyler Perry
, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, and Pastor T.D. Jakes.
MOVIES FOR TELEVISION:
NETWORK:
CABLE:
SPECIALS:
SERIES:
FIRST RUN SYNDICATION:
AWARD PROGRAMS:
Ms. de Passe served as Executive Producer for the highly acclaimed and multiple award winning, CBS western m\Mini-Series Lonesome Dove, that won both Golden Globe and Peabody Awards and was voted Outstanding Program of the Year by The Television Critics Association.
As Executive Producer of the benchmark NBC Mini-Series The Temptations, de Passe won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Mini-Series and was nominated for both a Golden Globe Award and Emmy Award for Best Mini-Series. She also served as Executive Producer for Small Sacrifices, The Jacksons, An American Dream and Bufallo Girls, all of which were nominated for the Emmy Award for Best Mini-Series.
A veteran of over three decades in Hollywood, generating over a billion dollars in revenue in the entertainment industry, and dividing her time and talent between Los Angeles and New York, Ms. de Passe has also received countless awards for her contributions to the television, movie and music industries including:
Recent community honors include:
Additionally, she has appeared as a speaker before numerous businesses and industry trade groups, including:
Career
Suzanne began her career at Motown as Creative Assistant to company founder, Berry GordyBerry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
. Blessed with a keen eye for talent, early in her career de Passe helped bring the Jackson 5 to his attention during their time with Motown.
She was instrumental in taking the legendary record label to television with a host of critically acclaimed and highly rated specials, including the multiple award winning Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever produced while she was President of Motown Productions
De Passe Entertainment
de Passe Entertainment is an American film and television production company run by entertainment executive Suzanne de Passe. The company was originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr., in 1968, as Motown Productions, the film and television arm of Gordy's Motown Records label.-History:Motown...
.
When Motown was sold, she partnered with her mentor in Gordy/de Passe Productions and subsequently established de Passe Entertainment in 1992. Ms. de Passe’s long association with Mr. Gordy was recently featured in the December 2008 issue of Vanity Fair: Motown the Untold Story, The Labels Greatest Legens, In Their Own Words with photography by Annie Liebovitz.
The subject of two Harvard Business School case studies: “Suzanne de Passe and Motown Productions” and “de Passe Entertainment,” Ms. de Passe has lectured at the Harvard Business School on several occasions. In 2002, de Passe was named Time Warner Visiting Professor to the Department of Radio, Television and Film at Howard University’s John H. Johnson School of Communications. A post she held for the requisite 3 years. During Howard University’s 138th Charter Day celebration in March 2006, Ms. de Passe received an honorary doctorate degree of Doctor of Humanities. Ms. de Passe is currently serving as the Producer-in-Residence at Emerson College, School of the Arts in Boston. She also served as the Emerson College 2007 Balfour Distinguished Lecturer.
Ms. de Passe served as Executive Producer of the half-hour, situation comedies, Sister, Sister
Sister, Sister
Sister, Sister may refer to:* Sister, Sister , a TV movie starring Diahann Carroll* Sister, Sister , a thriller starring Eric Stoltz* Sister, Sister , by Andrew Neiderman...
and Smart Guy, both of which aired on the WB Network and were produced in association with Paramount and Disney Television, respectively.
From 2002 until 2008 served as Executive Producer of Showtime at the Apollo
Showtime at the Apollo
Showtime at the Apollo is a syndicated music television show, first broadcast on September 12, 1987 to May 24, 2008 with 1093 episodes, and is produced by the Apollo Theater...
, a weekly variety program nationally syndicated by Warner Brother/Telepictures. In 2005 and 2006 she co-created, wrote, and Executive Produced the Black Movie Awards for TNT. Currently, she is developing; King the definitive film on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ms. de Passe is currently featured in HBO’s, The Black List: Vol. 2. This is the second installment of the documentary including other prominent African Americans such as filmmaker Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is an American actor, director, playwright, entrepreneur, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman...
, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, and Pastor T.D. Jakes.
Current Projects
- Producer King: The upcoming DreamWorks motion picture on the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. with Steven Spielberg and Madison Jones.
- Executive Producer, the upcoming series, Becoming KK Jones, Fox Television Network
- Executive Producer, Life Changers television series with superstar music producer, Rodney Jerkins (Lady GaGa, Beyonce)
- Producer, Humpty Dumpty, with Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings, Mark Ordesky, Directed by David EllisDavid EllisDavid Ellis or Dave Ellis may refer to:* David Ellis , Welsh priest and poet* Dave Ellis , computer game designer and author...
(Final Destination 2 & 4)
Television
MINI-SERIES:- The Temptations, NBC, four hours, 1998, de Passe Entertainment. NAACP Image Award Winner for Best Miniseries. (Nominated for six Emmy Awards, including Best Mini-Series and won an Emmy for Best Director.) Also nominated for a Golden Globe and won the Producers Guild Award; Directors Guild Award; and Prism Award. Starring: Leon, Charles Malik Whitfield, DB Woodside, Terron Brooks and Christian Payton.
- Dead Man's Walk, ABC, five hours, 1996, de Passe Entertainment. Starring: Edward James Olmos, Keith Carradine, Brian Dennehy and F. Murray Abraham.
- Buffalo Girls, CBS, four hours, 1995, de Passe Entertainment. Nominated for eleven Emmy Awards, including Best Miniseries and Best Actress. Starring Anjelica Huston, Melanie Griffith, Reba McEntire, Sam Elliott and Jack Palance.
- Streets of LaredoStreets of LaredoStreets of Laredo is a 1993 western novel by Larry McMurtry. It is the second book published in the Lonesome Dove series, but the fourth and final book chronologically. It was adaptated into a television miniseries in 1995.-Plot introduction:...
, CBS, five hours, 1995, de Passe Entertainment. Starring: James Garner, Sissy Spacek, Sam Shepard and Sonia Braga. - Return to Lonesome Dove, CBS, four hours, 1993, Motown Productions. Starring: Jon Voight, Barbara Hershey, Rick Schroder and Louis Gossett, Jr. and William Petersen.
- The Jacksons: An American DreamThe Jacksons: An American DreamThe Jacksons: An American Dream is a five-hour American miniseries broadcast in two halves on ABC and originally broadcast on November 15 through November 18, 1992...
, ABC, five hours, 1992, Motown Productions. Nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, including Best Miniseries. Starring: Angela Bassett, Billy Dee Williams, and Vanessa Williams as Suzanne. - Lonesome DoveLonesome DoveLonesome Dove is a 1985 Pulitzer Prize–winning western novel written by Larry McMurtry. It is the first published book of the Lonesome Dove series, but the third installment in the series chronologically...
, CBS, eight hours, 1989, Motown Productions. Emmy, Golden Globe, Peabody Award-winning miniseries. Named “Outstanding Program of the Year” by Television Critics Association, Best Miniseries in TV Guide Annual Readers Choice Awards, D.W. Griffith Award by National Board of Review. Among other honors, the success of this landmark western resulted in de Passe’s induction into the Cowboy Hall of Fame. “Lonesome Dove” was based on Larry McMurtry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Starring: Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones and Anjelica Huston. - Small Sacrifices, ABC, four hours, 1989, Motown Productions. Nominated for three Emmy Awards, including Best Miniseries and two Golden Globe Awards. Winner of the Peabody Award. Based on Ann Rule’s best-selling book. Starring: Farrah Fawcett, Ryan O’Neal and John Shea.
MOVIES FOR TELEVISION:
NETWORK:
- The Loretta Claiborne Story – Two-hour, 2000, Disney/ABC Sunday Night, de Passe Entertainment.
- Someone Else's Child – Two-hour, 1998, ABC, de Passe Entertainment.
- The Last Electric Knight – (AKA Sidekicks) – Two-hour, 1989, ABC, Motown Productions.
- Bridemaids – Two-hour, 1989, CBS, Motown Productions.
- Happy Endings – Two-hour, 1983, CBS, King Entertainment, Motown Productions.
CABLE:
- Zenon: Z3Zenon: Z3Zenon: Z3 is the third installment of the Disney Channel's "Zenon" television film series, following Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century and Zenon: The Zequel. It was released on June 11, 2004 in the U.S. and gathered 1.03 million viewers.-Plot:...
– Two-hour, 2004, The Disney Channel, de Passe Entertainment. - Zenon: The ZequelZenon: The ZequelZenon: The Zequel is a 2001 Disney Channel Original Movie and the second installment of the Disney Channel's "Zenon" television film series, following the first installment, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, and preceding Zenon: Z3.-Plot:...
– Two-hour, 2001, The Disney Channel, de Passe Entertainment. When it aired, the movie had the highest-ever rating for a Disney Channel original movie. Premiered January 2001 with 3.3 rating/6 share. - Cheaters – Two-hour, 2000, HBO Films, de Passe Entertainment.
- Zenon: Girl of the 21st CenturyZenon: Girl of the 21st Century (film)Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century is a 1999 Disney Channel Original Movie, starring Kirsten Storms as the eponymous heroine and Raven-Symoné; this was the first work by Symoné for Disney.-Synopsis:...
– Two-hour, 1999, The Disney Channel, de Passe Entertainment.
SPECIALS:
- Executive Producer, Commander In Chief’s Inaugural Ball for President Barack Obama.
- 70th Anniversary Tribute to the Apollo Theatre: Two-hour, 2004, NBC, de Passe Entertainment.
- Motown 40: The Music is Forever, Four-hour documentary 1998, ABC, de Passe Entertainment. Executive Producer & Writer.
- Motown 30: What's Goin' On, Two-hour, 1990, CBS, Motown Productions, and Emmy Award Nominee. Executive Producer & Writer.
- Motown: Merri X-Mas, One-hour, 1987, ABC, Motown Productions.
- Motown Returns to the Apollo, Three-hour, 1985, NBC, Motown Productions. Emmy Award winner for best variety Program. NAACP Image Award winner. Executive Producer & Writer.
- Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, ForeverMotown 25: Yesterday, Today, ForeverMotown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever is a 1983 television special produced by Suzanne de Passe for Motown Records, to commemorate Motown's twenty-fifth year of existence. Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever is a 1983 television special produced by Suzanne de Passe for Motown Records, to...
, Two-hour, 1983, NBC, Motown Productions, Emmy Award winner for best variety program. Winner of NAACP Image Award and Peabody Award. Executive Producer & Writer. - Motown on Showtime: – Smokey Robinson – One-hour, 1990, Showtime, Motown Productions. – Comedy on Campus – One-hour, 990, Showtime, Motown Productions. – Michael Jackson – One-hour, 1988, Showtime, Motown Productions. – Marvin Gaye – One-hour, 1987, Showtime, Motown Productions. – Temptations and Four Tops – One-hour, 1986, Showtime, Motown Productions
SERIES:
- Sister, SisterSister, Sister (TV series)Sister, Sister is an American television sitcom about identical twin girls Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell , who were separated and adopted at birth, when one day they come face-to-face after 14 years apart....
: Half-hour sitcom – 122 episodes completed, 1995–1999, WB, de Passe Entertainment. Starring: Tia and Tamera Mowry, Tim Reid and Jackee Harry. - Smart GuySmart GuySmart Guy is an American sitcom created by Danny Kallis. The series ran on The WB for three seasons from April 2, 1997 to May 16, 1999.-Premise:The show centers on the misadventures of boy genius T.J...
: Half-hour sitcom – 51 episodes completed, 1996–1999, WB, de Passe Entertainment. Starring: Tahj Mowry, John Marshall Jones, Jason Weaver, Omar Gooding and Essence Atkins. - On Our OwnOn Our Own (1994 TV series)On Our Own is an American sitcom that aired on ABC during the 1994-1995 season. The series starred six real life siblings: Jazz, Jocqui, Jake, Jojo, Jurnee, and Jussie Smollett....
: Half-hour sitcom – 19 episodes completed, 1994–1995, ABC, de Passe Entertainment. Starring: The Smollet Family. - The Motown Revue starring Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
: Six one-hour episodes, 1986, NBC, Motown Productions. Starring: Smokey Robinson.
FIRST RUN SYNDICATION:
- Showtime at the ApolloShowtime at the ApolloShowtime at the Apollo is a syndicated music television show, first broadcast on September 12, 1987 to May 24, 2008 with 1093 episodes, and is produced by the Apollo Theater...
: 130 one-hour episodes completed, variety program format. 2002–Present. Syndicated through Warner Brothers/Telepictures. - Lonesome Dove, The Outlaw Years: 44 one-hour episodes completed, western drama, 1994-1996. Starring: Eric McCormack, Scott Bairstow and Paul Le Mat.
- Night Life: (195) half-hour episodes, talk show. 1986-87. Hosted by David Brenner.
AWARD PROGRAMS:
- 2006 Black Movie Awards: A Celebration of Black Cinema: Past, Present, & Future. A 90-minute special which aired nationally on Turner Network Television (TNT) October 18, 2006. Hosted by Tyler Perry
- 2005 Black Movie Awards: A Celebration of Black Cinema: Past, Present, & Future. A 90-minute special which aired nationally on Turner Network Television (TNT) October 19, 2005. Hosted by Cedric the Entertainer
- 34th NAACP Image Awards, Two-hour special, 2003 FOX, de Passe Entertainment. Hosted by Cedric the Entertainer.
- 2003 Essence Awards, Two-hour special, FOX, de Passe Entertainment.
- 2002 Essence Awards, Two-hour special, FOX, de Passe Entertainment. Hosted by Steve Harvey
- 33rd NAACP Image Awards, Two-hour special, 2002, FOX, de Passe Entertainment. Hosted by Chris Tucker
- 32nd NAACP Image Awards, Two-hour special, 2001, FOX, de Passe Entertainment. Hosted by Chris Tucker
- MUSIC and MORE…Image Awards, One-hour special, 2001, WB, de Passe Entertainment. Hosted by Sinbad and Brandy.
Awards
The recipient of an Academy Award nomination for co-writing the screenplay Lady Sings the Blues, de Passe won two Emmy Awards and NAACP Image Awards as Executive Producer of Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever and Motown Returns to the Apollo.Ms. de Passe served as Executive Producer for the highly acclaimed and multiple award winning, CBS western m\Mini-Series Lonesome Dove, that won both Golden Globe and Peabody Awards and was voted Outstanding Program of the Year by The Television Critics Association.
As Executive Producer of the benchmark NBC Mini-Series The Temptations, de Passe won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Mini-Series and was nominated for both a Golden Globe Award and Emmy Award for Best Mini-Series. She also served as Executive Producer for Small Sacrifices, The Jacksons, An American Dream and Bufallo Girls, all of which were nominated for the Emmy Award for Best Mini-Series.
A veteran of over three decades in Hollywood, generating over a billion dollars in revenue in the entertainment industry, and dividing her time and talent between Los Angeles and New York, Ms. de Passe has also received countless awards for her contributions to the television, movie and music industries including:
- Essence: Hollywood Women of Power Visionary Award (2008)
- Savannah Film Festival Lifetime Achievement Award (2008)
- Black Enterprise Top 50 Hollywood Power Brokers (2007)
- The AWRT (American Women in Radio and Television) Silver Satellite Award (1999);
- Revlon Business Woman of the Year Award (1994);
- Inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame (1990);
- Essence Award (1989); and
- Women in Film Crystal Award for outstanding women who, through their endurance and the excellence of their work, have helped to expand the role of women within the entertainment industry. (1988).
Recent community honors include:
- 2010 Recipient The George Arents Award is Syracuse University's highest alumni honor, presented annually to alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their chosen fields.
- Center for The Advancement of Women: 2007 Changing the Landscape for Women Honoree
- Jackie Robinson Foundation 2006 Trailblazer Award
- Ebony Magazine selected de Passe for its highest honor, presenting her with the 2004 Madame C. J. Walker Award
- 2003 Whitney M. Young Award; Los Angeles Urban League’s highest accolade. (In keeping with tradition, de Passe presented the 2004 award to Magic Johnson.)
Boards, Trade Associations and Affiliations
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Member
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Honorary Member
- American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Member
- American Film Institute, Trustee
- American Society of Composers and Publishers, Member
- Caucus of Writers, Producers and Directors, Executive Committee
- Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Board Member
- Humanities Prize, Board Member
- Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Former Board Member
- Los Angeles Opera, Board Member
- National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences, Member
- National Association of Television Arts and Sciences, Member
- New York City Ballet, Former Board Member
- Producers Guild of America, Member
- Writers Guild of America, Member
Additionally, she has appeared as a speaker before numerous businesses and industry trade groups, including:
- Miller Brewing Company; Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association;
- Burger King Franchise Owners Association
- Chicago Minority Business Development Council.