Universal TV’s Head of Production Jerry DiCanio is set to retire in May after 31 years with the studio.
While DiCanio was at the helm of production, UTV was responsible for such hits as The Office, Parks and Recreation, The Good Place, Will & Grace, Friday Night Lights and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He currently oversees production for more than 40 comedies and dramas, including Hacks, Happy’s Place, Loot and St. Denis Medical, along with late-night shows and Saturday Night Live.
He also oversaw production on NBC’s live musicals, including Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert and Hairspray, as well as the musical series Smash. One of DiCanio’s first shows with the studio was The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; he now oversees production on Peacock’s Bel-Air.
DiCanio joined UTV in May of 1994.
“Jerry is a legend! I have worked with him my entire career, and while I knew this day would come, it’s certainly bittersweet that it’s arrived,” said Erin Underhill, President, Universal Television. “Known for his candor, strong work ethic and famous four-quarter bets, Jerry’s been an invaluable partner to me and contributor to the success of hundreds of UTV productions over the last 31 years, so his retirement is very well earned. We owe Jerry a huge debt of gratitude for pouring his heart and soul into every show. Our studio simply won’t be the same without him—and neither will my desk, which will forever hold four quarters from a bet he lost. Priceless.”
“It’s been a wild ride. I’ve worked on incredible shows and with great people,” said DiCanio. “I’ve already booked a flight to Hawaii and am taking the whole family – my wife, Michele, our two kids, Katie and Drew, my son-in-law, Jonny, and our grandkids, Jack and Riley. I’m looking forward to spending a lot more time with all of them.”
DiCanio has set up productions around the globe, from New York to Los Angeles, Chicago to Honolulu, Vancouver to the Gold Coast of Australia to Budapest, and Germany to Spain.
In an homage to DiCanio, a character from The Office who works in the warehouse is named after him. In the fifth episode of the first season, Michael Scott calls a “flagrant personal intentional foul” on a character named Jerry to end the game.
In DiCanio’s spare time, he volunteers for charities like Meals on Wheels.
DiCanio served as VP, Production Operations and Finance when he joined NBC Studios (later renamed Universal Television). Prior to that, he was Senior VP, Finance for Viacom Productions. He joined Viacom in 1982 as a staff accountant and held several New York finance positions earlier in his career.
