Halperin Named Fox Sr. Vp Talent

Missy Halperin has been upped to senior vp talent relations at Fox Broadcasting.

In other appointment announcements from Fox, 20th Century Fox Television has brought in Lisa Harrison as a new director of comedy development.

Halperin, who reports to Fox Television president Larry Jacobson, had served as vp talent relations since October 1995. She'll continue to coordinate and supervise all special appearances by Fox personalities while organizing talent participation for Fox on-and off-air promotions, charity and affiliate functions and special events.

"Missy Halperin's outstanding relationships with Fox's stars and production executives have played a key role in the progress of our network," Jacobson said. "She has served with the network since its early beginning and her experience and expertise is integral to the success of our returning series as well as our new programs, specials, promotions and movies."

Halperin joined Fox in July 1989 and was named manager of talent relations in August 1991. She was promoted to director in December 1993 and subsequently named vp in October 1995.

At 20th Century Fox TV, Harrison will focus on developing projects with playwrights, filmmakers, animators and other comedic talent not previously established in television.

"We're in the business of finding new voices and fostering new ideas, and will look to guide our search for the best comedic talent thriving outside the boundaries of television," said Sandy Grushow, president of 20th Century Fox TV.

Harrison, who will report to executive vp comedy Mindy Schultheis, began her film career in Chicago as part of the team that developed Noah Baumbach's 1995 independent feature "Kicking and Screaming." She later joined Wes Craven Films as director of development before joining the management company Mindel/Shaw/Donegan in 1996.

In 1997, she became a talent development and relations executive for 20th Century Fox Filmed Entertainment.