Cris Abrego
Cris Abrego is an American television producer, writer, CEO of Endemol Shine North America, and Chairman of Endemol Shine Americas.[1]
Early life
Abrego grew up in El Monte, California. He was a wrestler at California State University, Fullerton before graduating and moving to Los Angeles to work on reality television shows.[2]
Career
After graduation from Mountain View High School, Abrego attended California State University, Fullerton. After graduation, he joined Bunim-Murray, working on The Real World and Road Rules television shows.[2] While working for Bunim-Murray, Abrego freelanced as a coordinating producer for Fear and Making the Band.[2] In addition, he was the co-creator and executive producer for a reality version of the movie The Cannonball Run.[2]
In 2002, Abrego created Brass Ring; a production company responsible for Next Action Star, Surf Girls and The Hitchhiker Chronicles.[2] Soon after, he created 51 Pictures.[2]
In 2003, Abrego's 51 Pictures merged with Mark Cronin's Mindless Entertainment to form 51 Minds Entertainment. The two met through Abrego's agent.[2] Together, they created The Surreal Life for the WB network. Soon after, the team created a string of "Celebreality" shows for VH1, including Strange Love, My Fair Brady, The Surreal Life Fame Games, Celebrity Paranormal Project, Flavor of Love, I Love New York, New York Goes to Hollywood, Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School, Rock of Love with Bret Michaels, I Love Money, America's Most Smartest Model, Rock of Love Girls: Charm School 2, La La's Full Court Life, Real Chance of Love, For the Love of Ray J, Daisy of Love, Megan Wants a Millionaire, and Bridal Plasty.
In 2014, Abrego became co-chairman and co-CEO of Endemol North America along with Charlie Corwin.[3] In January 2016, he was named Co-Chairman, Endemol Shine Americas. In November 2016, Abrego became CEO of Endemol Shine North America, and Chairman of Endemol Shine Americas.[4]
References
- Hipes, Patrick (November 2, 2016). "Charlie Corwin Exiting As Endemol Shine North America Co-CEO". Deadline. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- Becker, Anne (July 22, 2007). "The Celebreality Duo: The creators of The Surreal Life franchise keep on rocking the reality-TV world". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
- "Cris Abrego, Charlie Corwin to Head Combined Shine-Endemol-Core Media in North America". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
- Littleton, Cynthia (November 2, 2016). "Charlie Corwin Out at Endemol Shine North America, Cris Abrego Becomes Solo CEO (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
External links
- Cris Abrego at IMDb