Charles F. Dolan, the visionary who revolutionized the television industry by founding HBO and Cablevision, has passed away at the age of 98.
“It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved father and patriarch, Charles Dolan,” his family shared in a statement to Newsday. “His legacy as a trailblazer in the television industry and a devoted family man will live on.”
According to a family spokesperson who spoke with The Wall Street Journal, Dolan “passed away peacefully from natural causes, surrounded by his loved ones.”
Dolan’s impact on the entertainment world is monumental. In 1972, he founded Home Box Office, which would become the iconic HBO. A year later, he established Cablevision, which redefined cable television for millions. By 1984, he had also launched American Movie Classics (AMC), a channel that became a staple for classic film enthusiasts.
He didn’t stop there. Dolan created News 12 in New York City, the first 24-hour local news channel in the United States, cementing his role as a pioneer in modern broadcasting.
Dolan was also deeply committed to philanthropy and innovation outside the entertainment industry. He founded The Lustgarten Foundation, a leading organization in pancreatic cancer research, based in Uniondale, New York.
A Cleveland native, Dolan made his primary home in Cove Neck Village on Long Island, New York. Over the years, he held significant stakes in Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and iconic sports franchises like the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers.
Dolan is survived by six children, 19 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. His wife of over 70 years, Helen Ann Dolan, passed away last year.