After a lengthy battle with cancer, Deborah Barak, a longtime CBS corporate affairs official who helped lead the Eye network through a turbulent period in television, passed away Saturday. She turned 65.
Barak was known as a shrewd negotiator and astute dealmaker. The first “Survivor” licensing deal in 2000 was one of several groundbreaking deals she spearheaded for the network. In the early years of the streaming video boom, she helped the company revive the “Star Trek” franchise through a groundbreaking global agreement with Netflix. She worked at CBS for 35 years, beginning in 1985 as a West Coast broadcast consultant.
“Debby was a mentor and dear friend to so many of us at CBS,” said David Stapf, president of CBS Studios. “She was approached by everyone for advice and guidance, both professionally and personally. You always left her office a little smarter and emotionally stronger. No one was more universally loved, admired, and respected at CBS and throughout our company.
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Stapf remembered her as “that rare person who was equal parts intimidating, smart as hell, and incredibly empathetic, which made her a unicorn.” She was my partner, best friend and someone who made me a better person.”
Another long-serving CBS executive, Amy Reisenbach, who was recently elevated to the position of entertainment president, credited Barak for helping her climb to the top programming position.
“Debby negotiated hard, but was always fair and compassionate. She also mentored dozens at CBS, including me. I can honestly tell you that I wouldn’t have this job without her teaching, guidance, and the unwavering faith she had in me,” Reisenbach wrote in a note to CBS employees. “She was pure class, intelligence and goodness. The world is a little less everything these days.”
Another old colleague remembered Barak as “Wise, tough and just for everyone.” Barak worked with Nina Tassler, the longtime head of CBS Entertainment, for over two decades.
“Her business knowledge and refined negotiating skills matched her humanity and decency. Working together for over 20 years has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.” Tassler said. “Her refined intellect and a deep appreciation for artists set Debby apart as world class; few possessed her unique talents. Humble and busy-shy, she was loved by her staff and creative executives across the company and industry. Debby was the mentor and friend to so many throughout her stellar career and was at the heart of the network’s success. Above all, her moral compass never wavered and treated everyone with grace and dignity.”
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Prior to working for CBS, Barak was an associate at O’Melveny & Myers after receiving degrees from UCLA and Loyola Law School. In 2010, she was elevated to executive vice president of business operations for the CBS network. She was promoted to president of operations at CBS Entertainment five years later. In 2020, Barak retired from CBS.
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