John Thomas Binkley IV, who created Nickelodeon's first teen soap, Fifteen, has sadly passed away, aged 80.
John made his own tracks in the snow with every decision he made, every adventure he pursued and every project he devoted himself to throughout his life.
John Thomas Binkley IV was born in Evanston, Illinois, on January 27, 1943 to Marijane Tucker of Houston and John Thomas Binkley III, son of Martha Wurzbach of San Antonio. Soonafter, they moved to Altadena, California, where John and his brothers filled the neighborhood with mischief, adventure and entrepreneurial pursuits, namely selling mistletoe.
John attended Phillips Exeter Academy from 1959-1961, where his love for learning and his passion for round table discussion and debate flourished. He spent the summer of 1960 summiting the Matterhorn with his father who died weeks later.
He went on to Stanford University, where he studied philosophy, comparative religion and education. John continued his studies in Lausanne, Switzerland, becoming fluent in French and immersing himself in philosophy. In 1966, he wrote and directed his first play, No Man's Child, broadcasted on PBS KQED. He graduated two years later with honors.
After the shock of the assassinations of JFK, RFK and MLK Jr and reading Stokely Carmichael's Black Power, John drove to Lowndes County, Alabama, to fight for fair voting rights, in what was home to the largest group of Klansmen, later returning to help elect their first black sheriff. John then took a job as a substitute teacher in Pasadena where forced bussing was first implemented. He was fired for standing up against teachers exhibiting racism towards their students.
He was appointed as Executive Director of Foothill Clinic in Pasadena, one of the first free clinics in the country. In 1972, John ran for Congress in Pasadena with a courageous campaign but lost. He then moved to Houston to join his cousin Henry Schumacher to run a successful wine distribution company. Here, John met the love of his life, Sherrie Matthews, and they were married six months later in April 1977.
In 1981, John partnered with Norman Lear to produce a television pilot, No Adults Allowed, where children improvised all roles. US networks passed, but his unique vision sparked the interest of producer Anne Wood, who helped broker a deal to produce thirteen episodes for Channel 4 in Britain.
John then produced a multitude of children's television shows, including Nickelodeon's first teen soap, Fifteen, launched in Vancouver, Canada, where he discovered actor Ryan Reynolds. He produced and directed 64 episodes, which also aired on YTV as Hillside, negotiating the unprecedented ownership of the copyright. John redirected his attention to a "giveback" project where he interviewed children living in war zones in a documentary that Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam supported by gifting his song Peace Train. In 1998, he served as the Executive Director of the San Antonio Symphony.
Returning to theatre, John wrote Seize the Day, inspired by his work at Stanford Children's Hospital with a group of cancer patients battling cancer with the mightiest of weapons, hope. He went on to tour his play across Scotland, with the help of longtime collaborator, PACE Youth Theatre. In 2012, he wrote Presidential Suite in real time inspired by the arrest of French economist Dominique Straus-Kahn. John directed a reading in Paris which spurred on a production at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where it received a 4 star review in the London Times. Years later, Presidential Suite had a resurgence in Berlin at the Renaissance Theatre and then a tour in Switzerland. With an ever-present persevering spirit, John produced his last reading in Berlin in October with a brave new concept challenging white supremacy.
With a life brimming with rewarding work, John was most proud of his two precious daughters and wife and in his most blissful state while at his beloved property on the island of Corsica surrounded by family and a legion of friends.
His wife of 45 years died December 28, 2022 and John died on October 27, 2023 at home. He is survived by his daughters Mollie and Liza; brothers Nick and Tuck and sister Nan.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for 3pm on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Episcopal Church of Reconciliation (8900 Starcrest Drive). In lieu of flowers, please donate to Stanford Children's Hospital online at
my.supportlpch.org/johnbinkley
R.I.P. John Thomas Binkley IV, January 27, 1943 - October 27, 2023.
