James Max Kantrowe

James “Jim” Kantrowe, beloved husband, father, grandfather, television veteran, and lifelong tinkerer, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026, in Tarzana, California, at the age of 89.

Jim was born on April 8, 1937, in Dayton, Ohio, to John H. Kantrowe Sr. and Clare Bell Kantrowe. He grew up alongside his brother, John H. Kantrowe Jr., before attending the University of Cincinnati, where he earned his degree as a Bachelor of Fine Art. In 1960, Jim made the move to Los Angeles, beginning a remarkable career that would span more than four decades and leave a lasting mark on television history.

Jim joined NBC in Burbank, where he worked for 42 years. He was best known as the Associate Director of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, a role he held from 1972 to 1992, helping shape one of the most iconic programs in television history, earning the Directors Guild of America Award in 1993 for his outstanding work. Following his years at NBC, Jim served as Technical Director for The Larry Sanders Show. Throughout his career, he was respected for his professionalism, technical expertise, and steady presence behind the scenes.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jim was a man of endless curiosity and ingenuity. He had a lifelong passion for music, electronics, and watches, and was always the first on the block to embrace the latest technology. Friends and neighbors affectionately knew him as “Mr. Fix-It” because there seemed to be nothing he couldn’t repair. Whether troubleshooting a complicated electronic device or lending a helping hand, Jim delighted in solving problems and sharing his knowledge.

Jim and his beloved wife, Marjorie, shared 52 wonderful years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and adventure. Together they traveled extensively, especially enjoying cruises that allowed them to explore the world side by side.

Those who knew Jim will remember his exceptionally sharp mind and his wonderfully dry sense of humor. He had a gift for delivering a perfectly timed joke with a straight face. One of his favorite lines—asked with complete sincerity whenever a waiter brought water to the table—was, “Is the water wet?” It was quintessential Jim: clever, unexpected, and guaranteed to bring a smile to those who knew him well.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Marjorie Kantrowe; his son, Jonathan Kantrowe; and his cherished granddaughter, Evie, who brought him immeasurable joy. He was preceded in death by his parents, John H. Kantrowe Sr. and Clare Bell Kantrowe, and his brother, John H. Kantrowe Jr.

Jim’s legacy lives on through the family who loved him, the colleagues whose work he influenced, and the countless friends and neighbors whose lives he touched with his generosity, humor, and willingness to help. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Hillside Memorial Park in Culver City, California. Family and friends are invited to gather to celebrate a life well lived and to honor a man whose quiet brilliance, kindness, and wit made the world a better place.