“I have such vivid memories of enjoying Bullocks barbecue at our house and our discussions of the history and present of Duke basketball. He had a gift for touching people’s lives and I feel incredibly fortunate to have gotten to know him. I will never forget his stories about filming the movie in Turkey and his adoption of the Clippers before that became a thing to do.” – David Hoffman
“Tony was the first studio executive I ever met. I had joined HBO right out of graduate school in 1980 and Tony was working for Dolgen at Columbia. Bob Kreek introduced us. I remember thinking Tony is like that guy you knew when you were a kid, “the coolest guy in school.” He remained the coolest guy in school through all the years I knew him.” – Hal Richardson
“I was blown away with Tony’s voice and spirit singing songs from my youth. He had the right growl for a bluesman, and clearly could make music –I would have loved him to continue on and on. I would have loved him to continue, but with his characteristic humility, he didn’t want to overshadow the band. They returned to their competent playing – but the star quality had left the stage.” – Charles Schill
I am honored to have called Tony my friend.
Every gathering I’ve spent with Tony over the years, he always put those around him on the top of his list of favorite people. He was so gracious, genuine and gave all of himself to make the those around him the stars. He always was and always will be a star in my life.
Cheers to Tony Lynn the brightest star I’ve known!
We were school mates at St Mary’s Elementary School , Manhasset LI (3rd-8th- puts us at 1960/61 )- was always Tom “The Stape”, Tony and me right from the start-
Memories:
– Music
Spinning 45’s and staring at 45’s spinning while singing – recall This Diamond Ring, Lorne Greene doing “Ringo” , later wearing out Nashville Skyline, now staring at LP spinning and singing Girl From North Country, alternating Cash and Dylan – Greeting the arrival of each Beatles/ Stones LP – awesome – later still in Hamptons singing loud in car Crockadile Rock! We had no shame . Discovering James Taylor(pre Sweet Baby James) at Capital Theater Port Chester(’69ish)
All day pick up baseball at Village Green, Plandome Tony always patrolling the “Hot Corner” sometimes 5 a side – didn’t matter
Pond Hockey( the greatest) at Big Leeds, Little Leeds and The Cement Pond!
Uncountable # of Games at Shea – inhaling Potato Knishes – witnessing Willie Stargell going parking lot with drive that seemingly never rose more that 15 feet- Epic
Sneaking over fence at Inisfada Monastary to swim in pool and just dare the monks to chase us
Wholesome night of harness racing gambling the night I received my driver’s license at Yonkers Raceway
Hitchhiking Philly- Duke for lost weekend
Fielding call from Tony as I was directly in front of Fenway Park with my daughter to invite me to TLPSI – Tidy annual golf tournament – although we had not spoken with each other for 20+ years- haven’t missed one and this week is TLPSI 11- just the greatest gift which then became 11 years as if we’d never been separated.We were KIDS again. Wow
Thank you Tony and Mary Ellen for these last 11 years total bonus was getting me back in touch with the Stape as well
Tony was my friend, brother and really a state of mind – never ever failed to bring the laughs.
I miss you so……
Gerry
Wow, Gerry! What a great collection of memories– almost like the framework for a great film script. You and Tom and Tony were so lucky to have had one another as pals growing up. Being around the three of you on occasion made it so obvious why the mutual friendship you shared had endured. That time apart was just a temporary hiccup for “The Confidence Three.”
Gerry….Well said Old Friend
Gerry,
Well said old friend. May our dear friend Tony Rest In Peace and how fortunate we are to have had him in our lives. Fondly, Andi
Andi
Great to see your name – Memorial was really special and Tommy just killed it with his remarks . Being reunited with Tony these past 11 years was just the greatest gift and example of Tony’s passion and empathy that he wanted me back in his life – not a week went by these past 11 years that Tony and I did not communicate ( almost always music or sports)
We’d visit each other at least 3x a year either Palm Springs, DC or Neavitt- I became friends with his friends (many) and as they say we hadn’t missed a beat – we traveled Scotland together- the pain is really to great – so I’m trying hard to view the “ gift” side rather than the rude sucker punch of his cancer – I’m at work so I’ll end it here – email me – Gerry.lees@ cushwake.com and let me know about you – I’ve the greatest memories of you. Having Stape back is just a huge thing for me
All the best
Gerry
I posted a majority of what follows on the Caring Bridge site shortly after Tony’s passing. Any attempt to re-write how I was feeling then would be inferior. If you’re reading this, you are among the many who know just how exceptional, loving, brilliant, subversive, loyal, generous Tony was. Like you, I am no further than Stage Two of an infinite process in grappling with his passage. He just was one of the best people I’ve ever known.
Again, probably like you, I look forward to the memorial –just days away– and being able to spend time with Mary Ellen and Jeff and Megan and being in a room with kindred spirits –others who loved Tony as well– and sharing a fellowship that he enjoyed in life, and would appreciate so much now. I also know that this is the next step in acknowledging that he has passed. I’ve slipped into an uneasy state of denial since the holidays. This will kind of pull the scab off. And I know that there will be difficult moments ahead for a long time to come.
But as cliché as it sounds, Tony would so want us to think of him and be happy. And for all the disparate friendships he has fostered, he would hope that we stay in touch and maintain those relationships, always hoisting a round in his honor.
He will always be with us– in our shared memories, with Mary Ellen, Jeff, Megan and the grandkids. We were so lucky to have known him and to have been loved by him. Even in the midst of our sorrow, we owe it to him to express and revel in the joy he shared with us. Tony will continue to live, not only in our memories, but in every tale, song, glass of wine and beautiful day he shared with us.
====================================================================================
I met Tony only nine short years ago. We were introduced by our mutual friend, Vallery. That first meeting was at his hillside home in Bel Air. Immediately I noticed a framed Buck Owens poster on the wall– initial sign of a kindred spirit. Within minutes we were swapping show biz stories and laughing our asses off at shared tales of Hollywood foibles, both legendary and personal. Surely we must have vibrated in a mutual space a time or two in the past. After a wonderful visit and shared promises to stay in touch, Val and I exited Chez Tony, and before we even got back in the car I remarked, “What a fantastic guy!” I had a strong suspicion that, given the opportunity and proximity, he and I could become great friends.
Given my return trips to L.A. and Tony’s conjugal visits to DC, proximity proved not to be an issue. The next time I saw him was in Washington. There, Tony bestowed his first gift to me– Mary Ellen Callahan. Every bit as gracious, generous and fun as Tony, I had scored a package deal of two of the most marvelous friends I’ve ever had. But then came the pu pu platter! Whenever Tony was back east, he and Mary Ellen were usually ensconced at the Chesapeake Bay house they had renovated with her terrific brother and sister-in-law, the handy (ingenious) Jeff Callahan and the lovely (brilliant) Kateri. They often invited me down for an extended weekend, and those visits were truly among my favorite highlights of the past decade.
In the ensuing years, I was often the only non-family member in a veritable sea of Callahans– every one a delight, incidentally. I met Tony’s son and then bride-to-be, Mele, there, Megan and Wade in L.A. When Tony staged reunions of childhood buddies or Mary Ellen hosted a gathering of DC friends, they insisted I join them. I believe I met just about every citizen in their small town of Neavitt, MD, and some of them also became great friends as well. Tony often insisted that at these events that he and I break out in two-part harmony in an Everly or Righteous Brothers classic. We dubbed ourselves “the Cleverly Brothers,” and occasionally we were almost in tune!
Most of my time with Tony was spent en masse, but on the occasions that just the two of us were out for a meal or drinks, we were the perfect foils for one another when kibitzing with a bartender, waitress or local denizen. Whenever I found one of them to be particularly fetching, Tony was quick to point out that she was out of my league. Or more specifically, way too young for me. Thanks for the reality checks, Tone!
One of the things I admired most about Tony and Mary Ellen was their marriage. Both exceptionally brilliant, good-humored, thoughtful and gracious, their divergences came together and completed a beautiful mosaic. I would characterize Tony as loving, but not overly-sentimental yet, in conversation, he would often express great pride in, and love for, his wife and kids. It’s very sweet to hear a guy express his affection for his wife without a comedic rejoinder so as not to appear overly sentimental amongst “the guys,” and he often told me how much he loved Mary Ellen.
I have never known a more generous couple than Tony and Mary Ellen. And that is not a reference to their typical grab for the dinner check, professional introductions or the aforementioned weekend invitations. They’ve shared their friends and family with others, brokering countless friendships and relationships that will sustain and serve as a tribute to them both, long after we’re all gone. What could possibly be more loving than sharing your dearest friends with others? Among countless other gifts, that is the greatest they’ve given me.
TJL & MEC, as they often abbreviated themselves, were and are living proof that it’s never too late to create lifelong friendships, even in one’s advancing years. The two of them quickly became as essential and loved as the friends I’ve had for 30, 40 years or more. And the family and friends they shared with me, I hope and trust, will continue to be a part of my life as well. It will never be the same without Tony, the brilliant raconteur, bandleader and grill master, but he will remain a fixture in the hearts of all who loved him, and now he will be the subject of countless great stories.
I love you, Tony. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend.
Right on, Scott
Tony always lit up the room with his humor and always reminded me of the importance of relationship. May his memory be our blessing.
Farewell Tony
Dear Tony and Friends,
My sincerest apologies for not being with you today to celebrate Tony’s life. While my heart and thoughts are with you, I was previously committed to a trip with some golf buddies for my birthday which is tomorrow, an excuse I know Tony would have condoned.
My friendship with Tony began in January 1981, following the decision by the Southern District Court of New York prohibiting the formation of Premiere, a proposed pay television network to compete with HBO, Showtime and The Movie Channel. Immediately after the decision, I descended upon LA with Bob Kreek and a gaggle of HBO lawyers, a team affectionately referred to by Tom Wertheimer as Michael Fuchs’ thugs, to reopen the West and to renew relations after over a year of boycott with the recalcitrant studios.
No sooner had we landed than we were virtually greeted on the tarmac by one Anthony J. Lynn. Tony had been dispatched by Jon Dolgen of Columbia Pictures as an emissary to welcome us to LA. What we didn’t learn until later was that Dolgen, eager for Columbia to be the first studio in line to make a deal before the money ran out, had admonished Tony to engage us, eat with us, drink with us and most importantly never let us out of his sight.
Fortunately for us, Jon could not have chosen a better person for the mission. Tony immediately proceeded to successfully embed himself in our hearts and minds as he did to everyone who ever was lucky enough to have been touched by him. For the next nearly forty years, we journeyed together through countless hours of smoke filled negotiations, endless nights in the Polo Lounge, untold breakfasts, lunches, dinners and industry events throughout our respective careers. Tony made sure that the road was paved with jokes and smokes and perhaps an occasional drink or two.
Farewell, Tony, Thanks for your friendship. Thanks for all the fun. You have brightened my life as you have for all of us. Happily, your wry, mischievous smile and your infectious, inimical cackle will remain embedded in me forever.
Steve — you were missed, although you were there in spirit with Tony’s roast. He rocked the house, as you know.
I remember the first conversation I had with Tony was about playing golf in Ireland . He went with 3 other guys and they had rented a Volvo suv , big car for small Irish roads 🙂 so inevitably they hit the ditch and got a flat .He told me a big long story about being rescued by a local , taken to the nearest village and going to the pub while the tire was replaced. He was totally blown away by the helpfulness of the Irish . I loved him from that moment on .. He had won me over by praising my own people !!
A couple of years ago I went to Ireland with Sean . Mec & Tony were going too , to go to the Fleadh ,an Irish music festival that was taking place in my home town .. What a great trip !!! I arrived first then a couple of days later Tony got there , then Sean , then MEC . I picked Tony up from the airport and dropped him at his favorite hotel in Ennis. I later took him to a few favorite local spots . It was great fun to show him “ my Ireland”.. He had met most of my family and we visited with them too and later when Sean & MEC arrived we had a lovely BBQ Irish style with my brother and family . It certainly strengthened our connection and he will always have a special place in my heart.
Miss you Tony ,still hard to believe you are not here any more ,
My first real meeting with Tony involved an electric drill. I’d met him briefly a couple of times with MEC – he was the “Hollywood Executive” in the suit – but that day he was assigned boyfriend duty, installing shelves for MEC. And he needed my drill. The end of an afternoon of stories, jokes, maybe a beer, were shelves that were probably unstable and crooked. But also the start of an appreciation for a man of enormous generosity and thoughtfulness, carefully disguised with incredible wit and sometime off-color imagery. He prized his wife, family and friends above all. He and MECs secret language – which involved lots of sports stats and political trivia – showed how well their worlds aligned. A very proud dad, and grandpa. He will live in our stories and our laughs.
Simply the best, better than all the rest. I just loved getting into a good banter with Tony…to be honest, this subject matter was rarely the point. The point was always about connecting, demonstrating an interest and sharing a good laugh. It was surely fortunate that Tony was wickedly smart and creative so the banter was full of iconic cultural reference points. I have missed the banter these last few months, but I am going to keep having the conversations in my mind and with MEC. Your spirit will remain with all of us.
Friends – I just returned home from an extended trip to find out about Tony’s untimely passing. It is a profoundly sad moment for all those who knew and worked with Tony.
My first contact with Tony came in 1981, when we were both new to Columbia Pictures on the West Coast. As the Chief Studio lawyer, the Pay Television unit was within my responsibilities and I came to work extremely closely with Tony and a remarkable group of people who helped change the face of the Pay Television business as well as the overall business of the Studio and the American entertainment business in general: Tony, Jon Dolgen, Ricky Rosen, Tom McGrath, Chase Carey, Victor Kaufman, Dan Black, Ron Jacoby, myself and others at Columbia. Just perusing those names, and reflecting on their future achievements testifies to the remarkable combination of personalities this represented.
We all spent enormous amounts of time together, in situations which required us to conceive of and execute deals which had never been done before in the entertainment business. And Tony, as head of Pay Television, was at the center of it. In the midst of all the crushing pressure and the oversized personalities of all the people involved in these deals, Tony’s knowledge of the business and, equally as important, his warmth and inexhaustible supply of good humor kept us from going mad. Just when you thought you couldn’t take it anymore, Tony would make some absolutely hysterical remark and we would be unable to speak for a time while we laughed uncontrollably. When we finally collected ourselves, the tension had been completely dissipated and we could move on to the next crises. But it wasn’t just these moments that defined Tony. He had such a positive outlook on life and a philosophy of living that greatly influenced me and, I believe, all the others: that work, while important, was not the most important thing in life; that family and friendships and taking time to smell the roses was even more important.
I’d like to relate just one anecdote out of scores that I can remember. One early evening, as Tony and I waited in Jon Dolgen’s secretarial area (which Tony referred to fondly as the “Antechamber of the House of Pain and Suffering”) for yet another meeting to start, Tony began wondering who had the worst job at Columbia Pictures. Between us, we came up with a ridiculous system for indexing jobs at the studio to determine which was the worst. We assigned an amount amount of pain, on a scale of 1 to 100, attached to each job we could think of (100 hundred being the most pain) and then took that aggravation number and divided it by the salary we knew or speculated each person received. The result was the JAI: the Job Aggravation Index and the job with the highest score was the worst job at the studio. For those of you knowledgable of the atmosphere at Columbia at that time you can imagine who had the highest score. Only the fertile mind of Tony Lynn could conceive of this fundamental law of the universe, right up there with the three laws of thermodynamics.
Although we didn’t apply this system to the people who worked for us (we were after all the authors of the system) I am dead certain that those with the lowest scores would have the people who worked for Tony. Smart, funny, warm and caring, he embodied all of the qualities that you would want in a boss, colleague, friend or even negotiating adversary (as testified to by Steve’s remarks above). He was unique and will be missed terribly, but never forgotten.
Ken – we were trying to get a hold of you. If you can come, the Memorial service is today at 3pm at Paramount Theatre, 5351 Melrose. The 1983 baseball lineup will be there!
I’m so sorry I can’t be there today. I only just learned of the service but I have a long standing family obligation today. My very best wishes to you and the family. He will live on in all our memories. It makes me smile just to think about him.
“Those who pass by us, do not go alone, and do not leave us alone; they leave a bit of themselves, and take a little of us.” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Fratello, Tony and I always called each other ‘Fratello’. Not in the early years so much but later when I had moved to Europe to help to launch digital satellite platforms for MultiChoiceFilmNet and later when having moved on to Telepiu’/C+ and then OrangeTV. Every step along the way, Tony reaching out to me with encouragement and, of course, busting my chops as only a Brother can do.
He chased me once to MD EMEA for PlayboyTV and carefully orchestrated a dinner with Christie in New Orleans during a market to push me forward. Tony gave me forceful, explicit instructions Not to inquire about her husband’s failing gambling venture in Greece. Of course I asked. Tony kicked me so hard under the table that I limped for a week. Then, in true form, we laughed for years after about it. [NB – He rescued PlayboyTV from certain doom and received little recognition for that.]
That’s how it was with Tony. He was always there. We would have natural periods of absence and just as I would think to reach out to him….the mobi would ring, ‘Hey! Fratello!”. Genuine, giving, insightful with regard to your life, always with kind words. Who was this masked man?! Glad you “passed by”.
Thank you for coming yesterday, Mark, and for your memory. xomec
Some people forever change your life. Tony was one of them.
I’ll never forget him.
His crazy sense of humor.
His relaxed executive style.
His love of family.
His amazing recall of facts.
His irreverent view of authority.
His mischievous smile.
A story…
One night we found ourselves in Hamburg. We had a flight home the next afternoon. We decided to go to a spa in the morning and our driver took us to a great one.
When we got there we found that bathing suits were optional. Well ,of course, we joined the group sans suits. We spent the day swimming, eating, sunbathing nude. I was waiting all day for his comment. As always he chose the proper moment.
When we were back in the car heading to the airport, he turned to me and said. “Well, it’s reassuring to know that the Germans have smaller dicks than we do.”
He loved you! great story.
Originally I had planned to join but sadly we had our own family member pass away this week.
Everyone has Tony stories. Columbia, MGM, Dolgen, Norman etc.
The stories wouldn’t have happened if Tony wasn’t at the center.
We all miss him but are richer to have known him
Tony-
I am so very sorry I could not be in California to attend your memorial service. I was however there in spirit and sent my love and blessings with our buddy, Tommy.
I will forever be at a loss for words upon hearing of your passing. It seems so unlikely to those of us who knew and loved you back in Manhasset, that anything could keep you down.
Special memories, special times, extraordinary friends. To be surrounded by such wonderful people who helped you thru thick and thin and never let you down. Had your back, your hand and your heart.
I am extremely grateful to Tommy for putting us back in touch this past July after so many years. It was a lengthy phone conversation filled with laughter, tears, sadness and many happy memories. You have a heart of gold, kept us all laughing and came up with some of the craziest escapades that kept our summers filled with fun.
Rest In Peace Dear Friend and know you will never be forgotten. Here’s to smiles and happy times, until we meet again. Love to Ray.
Your friend thru time…Andi
Thank you, Andi! He was happy to be back in touch with you, even with your Virginia allegiances!
Mary Ellen,
Thank you. If you should ever find yourself in Richmond please get in touch…it would be a pleasure to meet you.
I will keep you and your family in my continued thoughts and prayers. Sending comfort and hugs.
How fortunate we all are to have had Tony in our lives. Friendship is a true treasure as life is short.
Tony is and will always be remembered…it’s hard to forget someone who gave us all so much to remember…..fond memories.
What a perfect celebration yesterday of an original — GENIUS!!
I have known Tony for 40 years – many memorable moments. But here is one…
We played a lot of golf together. At my club w another friend, plus a scratch golfer, Tony was not having his best round, but still fun. As we worked through the back nine his scores were something like…8,6,7,8…1….8,7. On 150 yard 15th hole he hit about the only straight shot he hit all day. Hit front of green and took forever to roll directly into the hole. I can still see the shot. He jumped for joy… we were agog…scratch golfer screamed “I never had a hole in one!!!!” Tony beamed….. You can just imagine.
I have played 100s of rounds at my club. Tony Lynn has the only hole in one I have ever seen at Woodland Hills Country Club. I hope it remains the only hole in one I see there. 15 is considered the signature hole. I consider it the Tony Lynn Hole and every one who plays that hole with me knows that … and gets to hear a great story.
Tony will continue to provide us all with wonderful thoughts.
Thank you Bruce! He was very proud of that hole in one! The fact that neither you or your scratch golfer friend ever had one in Woodland Hills makes his even sweeter! Vivazzi my friend.
A friend who is at Playboy passed this along to me, and I thought I should share it. Tony left an indelible mark wherever he went. It should surprise no one that Hef’s son felt the need to send out this note company-wide. Tony, Uncle Tony, Godfather, I miss you.
Darren
From: Human Resources
Date: Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at 5:52 PM
To: #All Playboy Employees
Subject: Note from Cooper: Passing of Former Playboy President Tony Lynn
All,
I wanted to take a moment to let you all know that Tony Lynn, the former president of Playboy’s Entertainment Group has passed away at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center this weekend after a battle with cancer.
He was a force in television, launching over 30 joint ventures for our organization internationally that expanded to over 100 countries. Tony was responsible for increasing brand awareness, revenue and profits exponentially during his eight years at Playboy, which lasted from 1992 to 2000, but it was Tony’s belief in Playboy’s philosophy and more specifically the organizations dedication to protecting First Amendment rights that made a momentous lasting impression.
At various moments throughout the company’s history, Playboy has taken to task the government and others, when institutions and individuals have encouraged us to live in a country and world less free and less open. Tony was at the organization during one of these battles for Playboy, when the company challenged the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The case made its way to the United States Supreme Court, where Playboy won its challenge, establishing a free speech precedent moving forward.
After Playboy, Tony went on to serve other notable businesses and brands including Showtime and MGM. His family continues to impact the business of entertainment in meaningful ways. Tony is survived by his wife Mary Ellen Callahan, assistant general counsel for privacy at the Walt Disney Company. I hope you will pause with me to remember an individual who spent much of his life building out television and moving Playboy’s business initiatives forward while striving to protect individual freedoms and choice.
– Cooper
COOPER HEFNER | Chief Creative Officer
Tony sang with the band many times over the years at gatherings in Neavitt, Maryland. We loved to play for him. His enthusiasm and high energy made us all happy.
Thank you Lynn! He loved singing with you, enjoy the videos posted of some of your songs.
Tony posted this Update on the Caringbridge site in November. Tom Stapleton referenced it at the celebration ceremony at Paramount; it is worth re-posting. Attaboy Tony, Attaboy…
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
So, checking in as an in-patient at Cedars-Sinai, I was asked if I identified with any particular religion and would I like to see a chaplain.
Mary Ellen and I looked at each other and shrugged “What’s the worst that could happen?”
A few hours later, a very earnest chaplain (picture Father Mulcahy and Radar O’Reilly rolled into one) shows up, but I am huddling with the Big Dog surgeon and Chemo Oncologist and they are compromising so that they can each do what they want, but FASTER, which is a very good thing.
I have to shoo the padre away.
Undaunted, he is back the next day and we establish our Catholic bona fides with each other – me, 12 years of catholic school, right-sounding ethnicities to my names. Him – he’s got a badge and a rosary.
I ask “how do you want to do this?”. He asks if I remember Confession.
Which is how the following tumbled out of my mouth:
“Bless me Father, for I have sinned. It has been 53 years since my last confession ….”
It is at this point he smiles, as if to say “ I’ve landed a big one” and tells me the guys down at the Rectory are never going to believe this…
We pose for a selfie.
He wisely suggests I keep the confession to the “top strokes” only, and that he’ll sort it out later.
Three minutes later, I have been absolved of my sins and am wearing a band of holy oil on my forehead.
He leaves, all giddy, to tell his peeps about his remarkable day. I remain to contemplate what has happened.
Now I realize the Padre wasn’t a M#A#S#H character , but was actually Clarence, the apprentice angel from ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE.
Attaboy, Clarence, Attaboy.
Remembering Tony Lynn on this very special day. The day he made his entrance into this world and gave us all the pleasure of knowing him.
Happy Birthday Tony!
Sorry to hear Tony’s passing. I just received the news from another friend, Joe Igoe. I lived near Tony and knew him from St. Mary’s grammar school. Tony then went to Chaminade and I to St. Mary’s but we remained good friends. I lost contact with Tony after college. Unfortunate. Best wishes for you and the family.
Thank you very much, Marc. Glad that Joe was able to let you know. His St. Mary’s times were among his favorite, you guys were always up to no good! 🙂