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Craig Piligian Biography

Birth Name:Craig Piligian

Profession Producer, Writer, Actor, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • The Hollywood Reporter included him on its list of 50 most powerful people in reality TV
  • His first foray into show business came with an acting part as a detective in 1988's "Cheerleader Camp," and he even wrote the lyrics to a song in the film called "Cheerleading․"
  • Quote: "We have very little fear when it comes to branching out and really going for it․"
  • Expanded the genre of combat sports with "Full Metal Jousting," which revamped the 12th century sport for a 21st century audience
  • Founded Pilgrim Films & Television in 1997, a production company known for producing reality television programs for the Discovery Channel
  • Launched "Welcome to Sweetie Pies," which became OWN's top-rated program
  • Is thanked in the credits of two Playboy video documentaries from 1992

Awards

  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Non-Fiction Program (Special Class): winner
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Reality Program: nominated
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Reality Program: nominated
  • 2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Reality Program: nominated
  • 2022IDA Award-Best Multi-Part Documentary: nominated
  • 2025Cinema Eye Honors Award-Outstanding Achievement in Anthology Series: nominated