LONGWORTH, James J., Jr. 1954-

PERSONAL: Born March 11, 1954, in Winston-Salem, NC; son of James, Sr. (an electric company employee) and Charlotte (in publishing; maiden name, Arnold) Longworth; married Joanne Williams, July 10, 1987. Ethnicity: "Caucasian." Education: University of North Carolina at Greensboro, B.A., 1976. Hobbies and other interests: Owning and maintaining a 600-acre horse farm, raising and racing Standabred horses for harness racing.

ADDRESSES: Home and office—11993 Johnson Rd., Petersburg, VA 23805.

CAREER: Broadcaster, producer, and author. Station WFMY, Greensboro, NC, director of promotion and on-air talent, 1974-77; WSOC-TV, Charlotte, NC, producer of children's programs, 1977-78; WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA, director of public affairs and talk show host, 1978-80; Longworth Communications, Inc., Petersburg, VA, president and writer, producer, and director of television programs and public service announcements, 1980—. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, past president.

MEMBER: National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (voting member), Authors Guild, Authors League of America.

WRITINGS:

TV Creators: Conversations with America's Top Producers of Television Drama, Syracuse University Press (Syracuse, NY), Volume 1, 2000, Volume 2, 2002.

Contributor to periodicals, including TV Guide, Western Clippings, and Columbia House Re-TV.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Television scripts.

SIDELIGHTS: James J. Longworth, Jr. told CA: "I displayed an early talent for writing and broadcasting. As a high school student I became one of the youngest announcers for commercial station WSJS-Radio and, while attending the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, I learned all facets of television production at the campus studio. After graduating, I followed a career path in television that included jobs ranging from camera operator to host and producer of a live, daily talk show.

"In 1980 my wife Joanne and I founded a television production company that, today, specializes in production and distribution of documentaries and public affairs programming.

"I am a voting member of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and I have served as a judge for the prime-time Emmy Awards in both the drama and comedy categories. In November of 2000, I produced and moderated the program Women in Drama for the Academy; it featured Tyne Daly, Amy Brenneman, Lorraine Toussaint, Annie Potts, Melina Kanakaredes, Dixie Carter, Kathleen Quinlan, and Sela Ward, along with show-runners John Masius, Marshall Herskovitz, Barbara Hall, Paul Haggis, and Nancy Miller.

"I have written, produced, and directed hundreds of television programs and public service announcements, including one that helped to win passage of the nation's first significant handgun legislation. I also produced a public service announcement that documented the link between animal abuse by children and the violent crimes they later commit as adults.

"My first book was published in November of 2000. I am currently developing several teleplays."