- Frank Chirkinian was born on June 3, 1926 in the USA. He was a producer and director, known for Tin Cup (1996), The 1970 Masters Tournament (1970) and Major League Baseball on CBS (1955). He was married to Mary Jane Chirkinian. He died on March 4, 2011 in North Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
- SpouseMary Jane Chirkinian(? - March 4, 2011) (his death, 1 child)
- Produced the first PGA Championship in 1958, the first televised Winter Olympics, and produced 38 editions of the Masters for CBS.
- Son of Armenian immigrants raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia but left in 1950 to be employed as an assistant director's post at WCAU-TV, CBS affiliate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was hired in 1958 for the network full-time after covering the PGA Championships in Havertown, Pennsylvania.
- He lived in Augusta, Georgia where he oversaw the Golf Masters tournaments. He was part owner of the Emerald Dunes Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
- He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Chirkinian of North Palm Beach, Florida and son, Frank Chirkinian Jr. of West Palm Beach, Florida.
- He directed coverage of the Winter Olympics, the United States Open tennis tournament, college and professional football, auto racing, and thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown for CBS Sports. He was a four time recipient of the Emmy Awards.
- On his nickname "Ayatollah:" Pat Summerall gave me the name in the late 1970s, when the Shah of Iran was deposed and replaced by Khomenini. I admit, reluctantly, that I enjoyed the nickname. If nothing else, it beat being called Hitler.
- In rehearsals I was profane as could be. I ripped everybody. We had seven announcers all wanting air time, and it was important they remember I was the boss. I treated my crew almost like children, and let's face it, sometimes children need to be spanked. It was a form of tough love.
- I showed lots and lots of golfers and lots and lots of golf shots and I try never to subordinate the event to my ego. When I die, I want my epitaph to read, 'He stayed out of the way.'
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