Rockford Area Arts Council to honor Robert Greenblatt at upcoming arts awards

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Robert Greenblatt, a Rockford native who developed some of television’s most successful shows and led major networks, will return to the city in March to be celebrated with the Rockford Area Arts Council’s highest honor.

The longtime TV executive has confirmed his presence at the 2026 Rockford Area Arts Awards on March 6 at Rockford University’s Maddox Theatre, the Arts Council announced on Friday. He’ll be presented with the Symbol of Rockford Award.

“Over a long and distinguished career, Robert Greenblatt has shaped some of the most iconic television shows and theater productions in the world,” Mayor Tom McNamara said in a news release. “His achievements showcase the immense talent that comes from our community and inspire young and seasoned artists in Rockford to dream big, reminding us all of the remarkable creative potential right here at home.”

Greenblatt, a 1978 graduate of Boylan Catholic High School, has spent more than three decades shaping entertainment on television and the theatrical stage.

His rise in TV started in 1989 at the Fox Broadcasting Company, where he launched successful dramas such as the original “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Melrose Place” and the acclaimed science fiction series “The X-Files.” He later founded his own production company and produced the HBO drama “Six Feet Under,” a series that earned him Golden Globe, Peabody, Producers Guild, and GLAAD awards.

Then, as president of entertainment at Showtime, he oversaw series such as “Dexter,” “Weeds,” “Shameless,” “Nurse Jackie,” “Californication” and “The Tudors,” among others.

He is perhaps best recognized for his time as chairman of NBC Entertainment, a role he took on in 2011. He ushered in the return of live musical theater events on broadcast television and oversaw successes such as “The Voice,” “Will & Grace,” “This Is Us” and “The Good Place.” He became the chairman of WarnerMedia Entertainment in 2019 as part of AT&T’s reorganization of WarnerMedia, and he guided the creative direction of HBO and the launch of HBO Max.

He is also a Broadway producer, earning four Tony awards for “Dear Evan Hansen,” “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” and “The Inheritance.”

His recent productions include “Smash,” produced in partnership with Steven Spielberg, and “Some Like it Hot,” as well as a new production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” starring Cynthia Erivo at the Hollywood Bowl last summer. His memoir, titled “The Rockford Files: Epiphanies in Show Business,” was released in 2023.

“From Rockford to the world’s biggest stages and screens, Robert Greenblatt’s career reflects the power of creativity, risk-taking, and artistic excellence,” the Arts Council wrote in a news release. “His recognition at the Rockford Arts Awards celebrates not only his remarkable achievements but also the inspiration his journey provides to artists and storytellers from his hometown and beyond.”

Greenblatt is currently executive producer of HBO’s “The Gilded Age” and a producer of the acclaimed revival of the musical “Ragtime at Lincoln Center.”

If you go | Rockford Area Arts Council

When: 6 p.m. Friday, March 6

Where: Rockford University’s Maddox Theatre, 5050 E. State St., Rockford

Tickets: $65 and go on sale Feb. 1

Details: artsforeveryone.com

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas