The View co-creator Bill Geddie dies at 68: The four-time Emmy winner who founded the show with Barbara Walters dies suddenly as family praise ‘larger than life husband and father’

Bill Geddie, co-creator of The View, has died at the age of 68, his family has confirmed.

The news producer, who co-founded the show with the late Barbara Walters in 1997 and left in 2014, reportedly died of “coronary factors.”

The four-time Emmy winner is survived by his wife, Barbara, and two daughters, Allison and Lauren.

A statement from his family said: “He was a big hit on television, but at home he was an even larger than life husband and father.”

“He genuinely loved television and entertainment. He tried everything and did well – screenwriting, recording podcasts, playing guitar, writing songs and loved a wide spectrum of music from country to jazz.

“His favorite band was The Beatles and he never thought he would ever get the chance to meet one of his personal heroes, Paul McCartney, in person, but his dream came true.” The question wasn’t who he met, it was who has he not met?’

Bill Geddie, co-creator of The View, has died aged 68, his family has confirmed (pictured in 2019)

RIP: The news producer, who co-founded the show with the late Barbara Walters in 1997 and left in 2014, reportedly died of coronary heart disease (pictured in 2012).

Devastated: The View co-host Joy Behar tweeted, “We are saddened by the sudden death of Bill Geddie.” As a producer, he held us together and was fiercely loyal to his staff

“He enjoyed connecting with people and we know we’re not the only ones who will miss his encouraging brand of positive leadership.”

“He did so with enthusiasm mixed with sarcasm. His particular sense of humor was full of puns. He believed in honesty. He was a kind man of integrity and always wanted to do the right thing.

“He set a good example.” Even the little things brought him joy. He enjoyed a great game of golf, his mint ice cream and relaxed with a Bombay gin on the rocks with jalapeno and garlic-stuffed olives. “We are devastated to lose him and yet we are grateful to have had him in our lives.”

The View co-host Joy Behar tweeted, “We are saddened by the sudden death of Bill Geddie.” As a producer, he held us together and was very loyal to his staff.

“Bill loved comedy and lots of laughs, not to mention a good cigar.” I am eternally grateful to him and Barbara for the opportunity to be on The View. RIP “VIEWMASTER”.

In addition to being a co-creator of the hugely popular morning chat/news show, he was the show’s original executive producer from 1997 until his departure in 2014.

Geddie famously had disagreements with several on-air talents during his time on the show, including former hosts Star Jones, Rosie O’Donnell and guest host Kathy Griffin.

On Top: In addition to being a co-creator of the hugely popular morning chat/news show, he was the show’s original executive producer from 1997 until his departure in 2014; pictured in May 2014

Sweet: Geddie is seen with Behar in August 2013

However, he had a very close working relationship with television legend Barbara Walters, as she frequently worked with ABC News.

They worked together at BarWall Productions for 25 years as Geddie produced the television special The Barbara Walter Summer Special from 2002-2013 in addition to the 2014 television special Barbara Walters: Her Story.

Walters died at her home in New York in December 2020 at the age of 93.

Geddie also served as executive producer on Megyn Kelly Presents in 2016 and landed the same role on the television series The Preachers that year.

Most recently, he served as executive producer for the Tamron Hall show in 2019.

Close Bond: He had a very close working relationship with television legend Barbara Walters as they frequently worked with ABC News; They were first seen together in New York in May 2009

Geddie was born on July 17, 1955 in San Antonio, Texas.

In 1977 he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a major in communications/film.

The Texan’s career didn’t start out very glamorously, as he began polishing floors at local television station KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He told about this experience before Texas Monthly: “When you polished the floors – that’s what informal television was like back then – you let the camera roll for the local news.” What upset me was that I went to the news director and said that I had done a film before, and so he commissioned me to make a film.”