Len Amato, chairman of HBO Films, Miniseries and Cinemax, leaves the premium cable network after thirteen years.
His exit comes amid a wave of dismissals over HBO parent WarnerMedia, which has affected a number of veterans, senior executives. It also remains a consolidation on the long-form side at HBO over the past 18 months as that part of the TV business has evolved.
Longtime HBO Films president Amato added miniseries and oversight of Cinemax in April 2019 when 25-year-old HBO veteran Kary Antholis stepped down as president, HBO Miniseries and Cinemax Programming.
By this time, Cinemax had already begun removing the original programming, a process that is now in its final stages. On the film side, HBO has moved away from original productions, such as the Emmy-winning one Repeat en The normal heart towards purchases, as Emmy hopes this year Poor Education.
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In addition, with lines between continuous drama series and increasingly blurred series, Francesca Orsi, HBO’s EVO, programming and head of drama, has also overseen fiction-based limited series, such as Big Little Lies en Watchmen. Amato has limited nonfiction-based limited series like the recent one The plot against America. All restricted series will now be placed under Orsi. Amato’s top lieutenant, SVP Tara Grace, will also report to Orsi and will continue to oversee original HBO films and film acquisitions.
“Len’s dedication and passion for the craft has attracted some of the biggest names in creative talent,” said HBO program president Casey Bloys. “His contributions over the years have played a critical role in some of our finest programming. We really wish him the best when he begins this next chapter. ”
Upcoming non-fiction-based limited series, compiled by Amato The plumbers of the White House, directed by David Mandel and starring Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux, and Landscapers, directed by Alexander Payne and starring Olivia Colman.
With Amato at the helm, HBO Films won the Outstanding Made For Television Movie Emmy in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 (Gray Gardens, Temple Grandin, Game Change, Behind the chandelier, The normal heart en Bessierespectively), for a total of 20 Best Movie Emmys since 1993. Behind the chandelier, with 11 wins and 15 nominations, was the program with the most distinctions at the 2013 Emmys.
Prior to becoming president, Amato served as HBO’s executive and executive producer on the 2008 Emmy-winning multiple film. Repeat. The film began Amato’s association with director Jay Roach and writer Danny Strong who would later repeat their creative collaboration Game Change.
Amato joined HBO in March 2007 as SVP, HBO Films, continuing his long relationship with the network that began in New York in 1997 when he produced Charles Dutton’s directorial debut. First time Felon, starring Omar Epps and Delroy Lindo; and executive produced Iron Jawed Angels, starring Oscar winners Hilary Swank and Anjelica Huston in 2004. Amato appeared on the fourth season of the HBO series Project Greenlight.
‘I will always cherish my experience at HBO, not only because there was no higher standard to strive artistically in television, but because the artists and colleagues I worked with were incredibly talented, dedicated and inspiring. . I have learned a lot and I am forever grateful for such an opportunity once in a lifetime, ‘said Amato.
Prior to joining HBO, Amato was president of Spring Creek Productions. Its producers / executive producer credits include: Analyze this en Analyze that, Possession, Deliver us from Eve, Rumor Hat It, as well as the one nominated by Oscar Blood Diamond, with Leonardo DiCaprio and The Astronaut Farmer, with Billy Bob Thornton.
Previously, Amato Story Editor was for Robert De Niro’s then newly formed Tribeca Productions in New York, where he worked on such films as Michael Apted’s Thunderheart and Irwin Winkler’s Night in the city. Amato began his film career in New York as a storyteller for several independent producers and studios. For his career in the film industry, Amato was a musician and actor.
