Honoring a Visionary: Young Storytellers Establishes Legacy Fund for the Late Jamie Tarses

The Los Angeles arts community is coming together to honor the indelible legacy of one of television’s most influential figures. Young Storytellers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth through the art of creative writing, has officially launched the "Jamie Tarses Fund." This new financial initiative is designed to bolster the organization’s mission within Los Angeles public schools, ensuring that the next generation of storytellers has the resources and mentorship necessary to find their unique voices.

By connecting students with professional volunteer mentors, the fund facilitates a collaborative environment where young people can draft original scripts that are ultimately performed on stage by working actors. It is a fitting tribute to Tarses, a trailblazing executive who viewed the validation of a young person’s creative voice as a fundamental necessity in education and personal development.

A Trailblazer’s Journey: The Life and Career of Jamie Tarses

To understand the weight of this tribute, one must look at the seismic impact Jamie Tarses had on the television landscape. Her career was defined by a rare combination of creative intuition, risk-taking, and an unwavering commitment to the craft of storytelling.

Tarses began her professional trajectory at Saturday Night Live, where she served as a talent executive. This early role allowed her to hone her eye for unique comedic voices—a skill that would soon become her trademark. She transitioned into casting for Lorimar Productions before moving to NBC in 1987. It was at the peacock network that Tarses became an architect of the "must-see" era, playing a pivotal role in the development of culture-defining hits such as Friends, Mad About You, Frasier, and NewsRadio.

In 1996, Tarses shattered a significant glass ceiling when she was named president of ABC Entertainment, becoming the first woman to lead a network entertainment division. During her tenure at ABC, she oversaw a slate of critically acclaimed and commercially successful programming, including The Practice, Spin City, and the cult-favorite Sports Night. Her career also extended into independent production, where she helped bring series like Happy Endings, Franklin & Bash, and My Boys to fruition.

The Intersection of Industry and Philanthropy

While her professional resume is decorated with industry accolades, those who knew Tarses best describe her as a woman who found profound joy in the mentorship of others. This commitment to fostering new talent was not limited to her executive offices; it was a cornerstone of her philanthropic life.

Tarses became a founding board member of Young Storytellers in 2003, the same year the organization established itself as an independent nonprofit. Her involvement was not merely nominal; she was a hands-on supporter who believed deeply in the organization’s core mandate: that every child’s idea deserves to be treated with respect and artistic rigor.

Her brother, Matt Tarses—himself an accomplished creator and executive producer known for Rooster and Bad Monkey—spoke movingly about his sister’s dedication to the program.

"Jamie was never happier than when she was helping writers tell their stories," Matt Tarses noted. "She had a gift for it, and everyone who worked with her benefited tremendously from her guidance. In return, she bullied us into doing the same thing for the kids at Young Storytellers. Of course, it became one of the most joyful and rewarding things I’ve ever done, as she surely knew it would be. When we were trying to come up with ways to honor her memory, Young Storytellers was the obvious choice."

Supporting the Next Generation: The Impact of the Fund

The Jamie Tarses Fund is set to provide the necessary capital to scale the impact of the organization’s school-based programs. Young Storytellers operates on the principle that the act of writing a script—moving from a blank page to a performed scene—builds essential soft skills, including critical thinking, collaboration, empathy, and self-confidence.

Jaylene Benggon Chung, managing director of Young Storytellers, highlighted the philosophical alignment between Tarses’ life work and the nonprofit’s mission.

"Jamie understood that the most powerful thing you can tell a young person is that their ideas deserve to be taken seriously," Chung said. "She built that belief into this organization, and it is still at the center of everything we do. Because of this fund, the kids who come through our doors will keep feeling her generosity, whether or not they ever learn her name."

The financial support provided by the fund will help underwrite the cost of classroom materials, mentor training, and the logistical coordination of the performance showcases, which are often the highlight of the students’ academic year. By removing financial barriers, the fund ensures that the organization remains accessible to the students who need these creative outlets the most.

A Legacy of Mentorship and Advocacy

The creation of this fund comes after the tragic loss of Tarses, who passed away in 2021 following a stroke and a subsequent period in a coma. In the years since her passing, the industry has reflected on her mentorship of writers, producers, and executives. Many of the creative professionals working today credit Tarses with recognizing their potential before they had established their own reputations.

This pattern of "lifting as she climbed" is now being codified through the Jamie Tarses Fund. By focusing on youth education, the fund seeks to replicate the environment of encouragement that Tarses fostered in her professional writer’s rooms. In the context of Los Angeles public schools, where arts funding is often precarious, the stability offered by such a fund is vital.

The Future: "The Biggest Show"

The official celebration of the Jamie Tarses Fund will take place on October 29 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre during the organization’s annual signature event, "The Biggest Show." This event serves as a culmination of the year’s efforts, showcasing the scripts written by students under the guidance of their mentors, performed by professional actors.

The evening will serve as both a fundraiser and a poignant tribute to Tarses, reminding the industry that the health of the television and film business is inextricably linked to the early creative development of young people.

Implications for Creative Education

The initiative underscores a broader trend in the entertainment industry: the shift toward sustainable, long-term investments in arts education. As the digital age continues to reshape how stories are consumed and created, the ability to communicate ideas effectively has become a critical literacy.

By emphasizing the "writing process" rather than just the final product, Young Storytellers—supported by the new fund—provides a blueprint for how industry leaders can give back to the community. The implication is clear: the future of television, film, and digital media is not just about the technology of production, but about the nurture of human creativity.

Through the Jamie Tarses Fund, the late producer’s influence will continue to ripple through classrooms, turning budding writers into storytellers and ensuring that her belief in the power of an idea lives on in every student who takes the stage.

Chronology of a Legacy

• 1987: Tarses joins NBC, contributing to the development of legendary sitcoms including Friends and Frasier.
• 1996: Tarses is named president of ABC Entertainment, becoming the first woman to lead a network entertainment division.
• 2003: Tarses becomes a founding board member of Young Storytellers as it transitions into an independent nonprofit.
• 2021: Jamie Tarses passes away, leaving behind a profound legacy of mentorship and creative leadership.
• 2026: The "Jamie Tarses Fund" is officially established to support arts education in Los Angeles public schools.
• October 29, 2026: The fund is celebrated at "The Biggest Show" at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, marking a new chapter in the organization’s history.

As the industry gathers to celebrate her memory, the focus remains firmly on the future. Jamie Tarses may have built the networks and shaped the programs we watch, but through this fund, she is now helping to build the creators who will define the next century of storytelling.