Stephen McPherson

Stephen (Steven/Steve) McPherson is a producer and former president of ABC Entertainment.^[1]

Stephen McPherson
Known for	Ex-president of ABC Primetime Entertainment
Notable work	Cocoon: The Return (1988), Guilt (2016)
Television	Desperate Housewives (2004), Grey's Anatomy (2005), Dancing with the Stars (2005), Ugly Betty (2006), Modern Family (2009)

As a producer, he is known for Untitled Kate Gersten Comedy, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2004), Desperate Housewives (2004), Grey's Anatomy (2005), Dancing with the Stars (2005), Ugly Betty (2006), Modern Family (2009), Here's Your Damn Family (2014), Guilt (2016).

McPherson was president of Touchstone Television from 2001 until he was named president of ABC Primetime Entertainment in 2004.^[2] He held the position of president of ABC until July 28, 2010, when he resigned due to the alleged sexual harassment of multiple female executives at ABC.^[3]

Business

In 2005 Steven McPherson presented his wine brand PROMISE which he created in partnership with a Napa Valley-based vineyard. McPherson named the wine after the promise he made to his wife to pursue his dreams of becoming a vintner.^[4] In his most recent venture, Steve McPherson partnered with a team of scientists and fitness experts to create PURPAK, a powdered supplement drink. In 2010, Steve co-founded a clear corn whiskey distilled in the only working Prohibition-era copper pot left in the United States.^[5]

Controversies

In May 2024, Fox News reported that McPherson had sued Indian businessman Gaurav Srivastava after he refused to vacate McPherson’s $12 million Santa Monica home when his six-month lease expired.^[6] Describing Srivastava as a "fat, schlubby, disgruntled guy," McPherson accused him of lying to the police about missing furniture and a wine collection.^[7] The lawsuit states that Srivastava stayed in the house without paying rent for an additional five months. McPherson eventually filed a criminal complaint with the Los Angeles Police Department, but the Los Angeles County District Attorney decided not to press charges.

Movies and TV shows

Year	Title	Notes
2016	Guilt	credited as executive producer, TV series
2014	Here's Your Damn Family	credited as executive producer, TV series
1996	Bermuda Triangle	credited as writer and executive producer, TV film
1988	Cocoon: The Return	credited as writer, TV film
1985	Behind Enemy Lines	credited as writer, TV film
1983	Ryan's Four	credited as writer of 3 episodes, TV series
1981	Buck Rogers in the 25th Century	credited as writer of 3 episodes, TV series
1981	The Gangster Chronicles	credited as writer of 13 episodes, TV series

References

1. Kim Masters (2010-07-28). "Sex probe led to Steve McPherson's ABC exit". The Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
2. "McPherson, Stephen". D23. Archived from the original on 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
3. Kim Masters (2010-07-28). "Sex probe led to Steve McPherson's ABC exit". The Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
4. McPherson, Stephen. "Stephen McPherson on about.me". about.me. Archived from the original on 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-06-13.
5. McPherson, Stephen. "Stephen McPherson on about.me". about.me. Archived from the original on 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
6. Parks, Kristine (2024-05-21). "Former ABC President who was allegedly conned out of millions by squatter blasts 'crazy' California laws". Fox News. Retrieved 2025-02-03.
7. Parks, Kristine (2024-05-21). "Former ABC President who was allegedly conned out of millions by squatter blasts 'crazy' California laws". Fox News. Retrieved 2025-02-03.