Stephanie Leifer Cause of Death: In loving memory of Former ABC Signature Executive, Stephanie Leifer

Longtime ABC and studio ABC Signature executive Stephanie Leifer passed away. She was 56 years old.

Cancer claimed Leifer’s life on Thursday. She started working for the network in 1994 as an assistant in the TV movie department and spent a total of 28 years there at ABC Signature (and its predecessor, ABC Studios) and ABC.

Disney Entertainment Television released a statement saying, “Stephanie was a beloved member of the Disney Entertainment Television family for nearly three decades, and our hearts are broken by the devastating news of her passing.” “She was a much-admired executive whose influence on creativity was equaled only by the connections she cultivated throughout the organization and in the industry. Our deepest sympathies are extended to her family, particularly to her spouse Jonathan, our colleague, and their two lovely kids, Amelia and Noah.

Leifer started with ABC and worked his way up, holding roles in the comedy, drama, and current programming divisions. From 2002 to 2006, he was senior vice president of comedy development at ABC. After that, she relocated to ABC Studios, where in 2010 she was appointed head of current programming, in charge of a number of television series, including Castle, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, and Lost. She remained in that role until 2022, when she left the studio—which had changed its name to ABC Signature as a result of the Disney–20th Century Fox merger.

Leifer held positions at the Writers and Artists Agency in Los Angeles and the Boston public television station WGBH before joining ABC.

There will soon be a celebration of life in addition to a private funeral. Donations in her honor can be sent to CASA of Los Angeles, where she served as a special advocate for foster children chosen by the court.