Mary-Ellis Bunim Biography

Fast Facts

• Was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame along with Jonathan Murray in 2012
• Began her television career in soap operas as the executive producer of "As the World Turns" and "Santa Barbara․"
• Quote: "(On her reality TV imitators): "Producers don't necessarily recognize why they put people together․ They don't understand it's for the purpose of conflict․""
• Is credited with helping to launch the reality TV genre with her production partner Jonathan Murray, with whom she founded the production company Bunim/Murray Productions
• Best known as the creator and executive producer of "The Real World" and "Road Rules․"
• Other reality television creation credits include "Making the Band," "Love Cruise," and "The Simple Life․"
• Wrote for an episode of the reality series "Big Brother" in 2000