Remembering David St. John: A Trailblazing TV Producer
David St. John, a talented TV producer known for his work on popular shows like “America’s Next Top Model,” passed away on December 19 after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 56 years old.
St. John kickstarted his career at MTV, where he worked on the series “Taildaters” before making his mark on “America’s Next Top Model,” where he served as a co-executive producer for over 100 episodes.
A champion for diversity and representation in the industry, St. John was deeply passionate about showcasing underrepresented communities. His work on “I Am Jazz,” a show following transgender teen Jazz Jennings, earned him a GLAAD Media Award. He later worked on “The Ts Madison Experience” before his final project, TLC’s “Jay & Pamela,” which centered around an engaged couple with osteogenesis imperfecta.
Drew Tappon, Head of Unscripted Development, Programming & Specials at OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, fondly remembered St. John, saying, “To be in David St. John’s orbit meant that you were witness to an astonishingly bright light… all the time. He made everything better. And he made YOU feel better. Simply put, he just made us all better.”
The Jennings family, from “I Am Jazz,” also paid tribute to St. John, describing him as more than just an executive producer but as a beloved family member who provided unwavering support and positivity during their toughest moments.
Prior to his passing, St. John had undergone two craniotomies to remove tumors and had become a volunteer, offering support to patients facing similar medical challenges.
He is survived by his husband, Scott Darlington, his sisters Corrine and Rachel, his mother Lynn, and Kirsten and Karen Fenswick, whom he considered as sisters. Memorial service details are yet to be announced.
