The Television Academy has announced the recipients of the 28th Hall of Fame class, tapping seven TV titans whose work spans documentary, animation, journalism, comedy and the executive suite.
The 2026 honorees include the late “60 Minutes” correspondent Ed Bradley, who will be inducted posthumously; actor Ted Danson; documentary powerhouse Sheila Nevins; “South Park” co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone; Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos; and “Hacks” star Jean Smart.
The group joins a roster of more than 150 individuals inducted since the Hall of Fame’s launch in 1984.
Sarandos, who was named co-CEO of Netflix in July 2020, has steered the streaming giant’s move into original programming since 2013, with “House of Cards,” “Arrested Development” and “Orange Is the New Black.” In addition to several honors, including the Producers Guild of America’s Milestone Award in 2019, he is also a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute. He serves on boards such as the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and was awarded a CBE by King Charles in 2024 for service to the creative industries in the United Kingdom.
Danson earns his recognition from a career anchored by his famed role as Sam Malone on the NBC comedy “Cheers” and sustained by recent turns in series such as Netflix’s “A Man on the Inside” and NBC’s “The Good Place.” He is also a longtime environmental activist who co-founded the American Oceans Campaign in 1987.
