R.I.P. Bill Geddie: ‘The View’ Co-Creator Dead at 68

Bill Geddie, co-creator of The View and a frequent collaborator of the late Barbara Walters, has died as a result of “coronary-related factors,” according to Variety. He was 68.

The longtime producer’s family shared a statement with the outlet, where they refer to him as not only a “big deal in TV,” but an “even bigger than life husband and dad.”

“He had a genuine love for television and entertainment,” they said. “He would try everything and did it well — screenwriting, recording podcasts, playing guitar, writing songs, and loved a wide range of music from country to jazz.” 

They continued, “His favorite band was The Beatles, and he never thought he would have the opportunity to meet one of his personal heroes Paul McCartney in person, but his dream came true. The question wasn’t who did he meet, but rather who didn’t he meet?”

Geddie’s family noted that he “enjoyed connecting with people” and praised him for his “encouraging way of positive guidance.”

“He did so with enthusiasm mixed with sarcasm,” they added. “His special style of humor was filled with puns.  He believed in honesty.  He was a kind man of integrity and always wanted to do the right thing.  He lived by example.”

Geddie — who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 Daytime Emmys — began working with Walters in 1988 on her television specials. He was the executive producer, writer and director of Barbara Walters Specials and The 10 Most Fascinating People as well as a partner in the veteran journalist’s BarWall Productions. The two ultimately created The View together in 1997, where he remained the executive producer for 17 years, before current EP Brian Teta took over.

Following the news of Geddie’s death, the show’s current co-hosts Sunny Hostin and Joy Behar paid tribute to the “VIEWMASTER” on their respective social media pages.

“My friend & mentor Bill Geddie has transitioned at 68,” Hostin tweeted. “Bill was the 1st person to believe that I could be a national talk show host. He told me after an audition for The View ‘you were sitting there watching the show instead of being on the show. Lean in like I know you can.'”

Behar wrote, “We are saddened by the sudden death of Bill Geddie. As a producer, he kept us together and was very loyal to his staff. Bill loved comedy and plenty of laughs not to mention a good cigar. I’m forever grateful to him and Barbara for the opportunity to be on the View. RIP ‘VIEWMASTER'”

The View is set to honor Geddie on Monday’s (July 24) show.

Aside from his work with Walters, who died in December 2022 at 93 years old, Geddie was also a producer on Good Morning America — and, from 2019-2020, the executive producer of ABC’s Tamron Hall Show. Geddie, who was a screenwriter in his pastime, even wrote the script for the 1996 science fiction film Unforgettable starring Ray Liotta and Linda Fiorentino.

Geddie is survived by his wife of 44 years, Barbara Geddie, as well as his two daughters, Allison and Lauren.