‘Seinfeld’ Director Dies at 86

Tom Cherones, the Emmy-winning director who helped turn Seinfeld into a TV phenomenon, has died at 86.

A family spokesperson confirmed that Cherones passed away on January 5 at his home in Florence, Oregon, after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

If you loved Seinfeld’s golden era, you’ve seen his work over and over again. Cherones directed 81 of the show’s first 86 episodes during its first five years, starting in May 1990 with the second episode, “The Stakeout.” He was behind the camera for some of the most legendary installments, including “The Contest” and “The Chinese Restaurant.”

His style helped set Seinfeld apart from other sitcoms of the time. Cherones leaned into multi-camera setups that gave the show a more cinematic, experimental feel while still keeping it fast, funny, and character-driven.

On set, he was known for his easygoing vibe and love of Hawaiian shirts. He even stepped in front of the camera once, appearing in season four’s “The Pilot” as, fittingly, “the director.”

During his Seinfeld run, Cherones earned six Emmy nominations and shared the 1993 Emmy for outstanding comedy series with Jerry Seinfeld, Larry David, and the rest of the producing team.

Outside of Seinfeld, he left his mark on TV with work on shows like Ellen, Desperate Housewives, General Hospital, Growing Pains, and Ladies Man, building a quiet but powerful legacy behind the scenes of some of television’s most beloved series.