Charles F. Dolan Obituary, Death – Charles F. Dolan, the visionary behind some of the most influential media companies in the U.S., including Home Box Office Inc. (HBO) and Cablevision Systems Corp., passed away at the age of 98, according to a family statement released on Saturday. The statement confirmed Dolan died of natural causes, marking the end of a remarkable legacy in the cable television and media industries.
Dolan is widely recognized for his role in shaping the television landscape. He founded HBO in 1972, revolutionizing the way television was consumed by introducing premium cable content. This move would pave the way for HBO’s future success, becoming a household name known for its original programming and groundbreaking shows. Two years later, in 1973, Dolan founded Cablevision, which grew into one of the largest cable service providers in the U.S. His contributions didn’t stop there, as he later launched American Movie Classics in 1984, a cable channel known for airing classic films. He also established News 12, the first 24-hour cable news channel dedicated to local news in the U.S., which became a key development in the evolution of local broadcasting.
A Cleveland native, Dolan’s path to success was far from conventional. After dropping out of John Carroll University in Cleveland, he went on to build a vast media empire. His entrepreneurial journey led him to sell Cablevision to Altice, a European telecommunications company, in June 2016 for an astounding $17.7 billion, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Though Dolan is most remembered for his work with HBO and Cablevision, his influence extended beyond television. He held significant stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and the professional sports teams New York Knicks and New York Rangers. These ventures, under Dolan’s leadership, solidified his status as one of the key figures in entertainment and sports.
Dolan’s family continues to play an influential role in his legacy. His son, James L. Dolan, served as the CEO of Cablevision from 1995 until the company’s sale in 2016. He is now the executive chairman and CEO of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp., overseeing properties such as the Knicks and Rangers. Another son, Patrick Dolan, played a significant role in the media industry. After Cablevision sold Newsday in 2008, Patrick Dolan led a group that repurchased 75% of the newspaper in 2016 and later acquired the remaining 25% stake in 2018.
Charles Dolan’s fortune at the time of his death was estimated at $5.4 billion, as reported by Forbes. Beyond his business ventures, he was also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in cancer research. He was the founder and chairman emeritus of The Lustgarten Foundation, an organization dedicated to funding research for pancreatic cancer.
Dolan’s family, which includes six children, 19 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, mourns his loss. His wife, Helen Ann Dolan, passed away in 2023, marking another significant moment of loss for the Dolan family. Despite his passing, Dolan’s imprint on the media and entertainment industries will endure, with his innovations in cable television and media shaping the landscape for generations to come. His contributions to the field have left an indelible mark, both on the industry and the many lives he touched throughout his remarkable career.