The Television Academy has announced a star-studded slate of inductees for its 27th Hall of Fame Class. Conan O’Brien, Ryan Murphy, Viola Davis, Henry Winkler, composer Mark Post, and prolific TV director Don Mischer will all be inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame at the inaugural Televerse festival, which will take place August 14 to 16 at the JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles, California.
A late night comedy legend, O’Brien memorably hosted “Late Night” on NBC from 1993 to 2009 before briefly taking over “The Tonight Show” from Jay Leno. After being forced to cede the show back to Leno, he hosted “Conan” on TBS from 2010-2021. He also served as a writer for “The Simpsons” and hosted this year’s Oscars, a job for which he was quickly asked to return in 2026.
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One of the most prolific showrunners of his generation, Murphy has created shows like “Glee,” “Nip/Tuck,” “American Horror Story,” “American Crime Story,” “Pose,” “Feud,” “9-1-1,” and “Monster.” He has earned six competitive Emmys for his work.
A EGOT winner and one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation, Davis is best known in the realm of TV for her role as Annalise Keating in the Shonda Rhimes series “How to Get Away with Murder,” which made her the first Black woman to win a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a drama series.
Winkler became a superstar in the 1970s and enshrined himself in TV history with his role as Arthur “The Fonz” Fonzarelli on “Happy Days,” before launching an acclaimed career as a character actor and winning an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for “Barry.”
Post composed some of the most iconic TV theme songs of the past half-century, including “Law & Order,” “NYPD Blue,” “Manum P.I.,” and “The Rockford Files.”
For over five decades, Mischer was one of the most prolific directors of live events in Hollywood, overseeing everything from Oscars broadcasts and Super Bowl halftime shows to presidential inaugurations and Democratic National Conventions.
“These trailblazing performers, creators and producers have left an indelible mark on our industry. Their groundbreaking work has shaped and elevated the television landscape in profound ways,” Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy, said in a statement. “We are honored to welcome these legends into the Hall of Fame and to recognize their exceptional contributions to the evolution of television.”
“All six honorees have elevated the art of storytelling and have had an extraordinary influence on television culture and history,” Rick Rosen, chair of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee added. “Their transformative leadership and innovative work have made a lasting impact on the medium, and the Television Academy is proud to honor their legacy.”