Robert Pietranton, longtime Warner Bros. TV publicity executive known for his leadership and industry impact, has died at 56.
Robert Pietranton, a respected and longtime publicity executive at Warner Bros. Television, has died at his home in Los Angeles. He was 56.
Pietranton had been a central figure at Warner Bros. TV for more than two decades, joining the company early in his career and rising to senior vice president of publicity and communications in 2021.
Known for his steady leadership and trusted voice within the studio, he played a key role in guiding communications strategies for some of television’s most successful series.
Channing Dungey, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Television Group and WBD US Networks, paid tribute to Pietranton, describing him as “the heart and soul” of the studio’s publicity operations.
“Throughout his 20-plus year tenure, he was our confidant, our voice of reason, and our first stop in a brewing crisis,” Dungey said in a statement.
She added that Pietranton’s kindness, professionalism and signature warm laugh made him beloved across the industry. “We are heartbroken beyond measure and are keeping him and his family in our thoughts and prayers.”
Born on Nov. 10, 1969, in Virginia and raised in Las Vegas, Pietranton graduated from Loyola Marymount University before beginning his career at Levine Schneider PR.
He later joined NBC during the influential Must-See TV era, followed by publicity roles at DreamWorks Television and Sony Pictures Television. He eventually found his long-term home at Warner Bros. Television.
Throughout his career, Pietranton contributed to publicity campaigns for hundreds of television shows, including major hits such as ER, The West Wing, The Big Bang Theory, Ted Lasso, Abbott Elementary, and series from The CW’s Arrow-verse.
Beyond his industry accomplishments, he was widely admired for mentoring rising public relations professionals and supporting colleagues across departments.
Pietranton is survived by his brother, Ryan, and his nephews, Michael and Matthew. Plans for a celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
