The Television Academy today announced the induction of six television legends into the 27th Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame ceremony will be held during the Televerse Festival on Saturday, Aug. 16.
The Hall of Fame honors persons who have made outstanding contributions in the arts, sciences or management of television over a lifetime career or via singular achievements. The 2025 Hall of Fame honorees join more than 150 individuals previously inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1984. The coveted honor has been bestowed upon actors, comedians, directors, producers, costume designers, writers, animators, musicians, executives, reporters and various other individuals whose work in television has no equal.
Televerse is an immersive festival experience for industry insiders and fans of television from Aug. 14-16, 2025, at the JW Marriott at L.A. LIVE. Attendees can register at televerse.com to receive news and information when sessions are announced. The Hall of Fame will be separately ticketed and will be open to Academy members and the public for purchase.
The complete list of the new honorees includes:
Viola Davis – The revered and critically acclaimed artist, activist, producer, philanthropist, New York Times best-selling author and EGOT winner was the first black actress to win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role How to Get Away with Murder. Davis was honored in 2017 by Time 100 as one of the world’s most influential people and, in 2022, was honored with the Public Counsel’s William O. Douglas Award for her commitment to social justice causes. In 2025, she was honored with the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award for her outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment. Davis has partnered with multiple programs to eradicate childhood hunger in the United States.
Don Mischer – The acclaimed producer and director of television and live events was the founder of Don Mischer Productions. His credits include the Emmys, We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, The Kennedy Center Honors, Super Bowl Halftime shows, the Democratic National Convention, the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, 20 consecutive annual 9/11 Memorial Services at Ground Zero in New York City, and the ABC special “Taking the Stage: African American Music and Stories That Changed America,” which commemorated the historic opening of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. He was honored with 15 Emmy Awards, a record 10 Directors Guild of America Awards for Outstanding Directorial Achievement, two NAACP Image Awards, a Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting, Europe's prestigious Gold Rose of Montreux and the 2012 Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television from the Producers Guild of America. Mischer passed away April 11, 2025.
Ryan Murphy – The prolific writer, director and producer has created some of the most iconic and critically acclaimed series on television, including Nip/Tuck, Glee, American Horror Story, American Crime Story, Pose and Monster. Murphy is known for bringing the stories of marginalized characters to mainstream audiences around the world. He’s won six Emmy Awards (out of 38 nominations), a Tony Award and has two Grammy Award nominations.
Conan O’Brien – The Emmy-winning writer, producer and comedian had a 28-year career as a late-night host, one of the longest tenures in late-night history, concluding with an 11-year run with Conan on TBS. Conan has won five Emmy Awards, seven Writers Guild Awards, the People’s Choice Award for “Favorite Television Host” and The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Additionally, he has hosted two Emmy Awards, the Oscars and performed at the White House Correspondents Dinner for two presidents.
Mike Post – The Emmy-winning musician, composer, arranger and producer is widely considered the most successful composer in television history. Post has written music for 7,200 hours of TV, including: Law & Order; NYPD Blue; Magnum PI; The A-Team; Quantum Leap; Doogie Howser, M.D.; Blossom; and News Radio. Theme songs from The Rockford Files, The Greatest American Hero, Hill Street Blues and L.A. Law all became chart-topping records and landed Post four of his five Grammy Awards.
Henry Winkler – The three-time Emmy-winning actor, producer, director and best-selling author celebrated 50 years of success in Hollywood in 2024. He has appeared in over 100 television series, including Happy Days, Barry, American Horror Stories, Arrested Development, Royal Pains, New Girl, and Parks and Recreation. Behind the scenes Winkler produced and directed numerous television series and specials, including MacGyver, Mr. Sunshine and All Kids Do It (which won him a Daytime Emmy Award for Best Director).
“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,” said Cris Abrego, chair of the Television Academy. “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,” said Rick Rosen, chair of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee. “Their transformative leadership and innovative work have made a lasting impact on the medium, and the Television Academy is proud to honor their legacy.”
This year’s Hall of Fame selection committee included chair Rick Rosen, WME co-founder and head of television; Karey Burke, president 20th Television; Marcy Carsey, Emmy Award-winning producer; Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman of Universal Studio Group; Peter Roth, former chairman and CEO, Warner Bros., former president, Fox; and Nina Tassler, former CBS Entertainment chairperson and producer.
Sponsors for the Hall of Fame and Televerse include FIJI Water, Franciacorta, People, The Ritz-Carlton and United Airlines.
Download the press release here.
CBS Press Contacts:
Kate Fisher, Khfisher@cbs.com
Mallory Mason, Mallory.mason@cbs.com
breakwhitelight Press Contact (for the Television Academy):
Stephanie Goodell
breakwhitelight (for the Television Academy)
stephanie@breakwhitelight.com
818-462-1150