1. Oral History Archive
  2. Larry Namer

Larry Namer

Coney Island native Larry Namer founded the E! Entertainment cable network and sold it for $3 billion

Interviewer:
Charles Denson
Interviewee:
Larry Namer

Languages

English

Interview Highlight Bookmarks

  • Introduction
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  • Born and raised in Coney Island
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  • "Coney Island was a little village."
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  • Playing football at Lincoln High School
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  • Working in Coney Island from the age of 12
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  • Father grew up on West 16th Street, fought in World War II
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  • Kingsborough, Brooklyn College. Married high school sweetheart
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  • Early cable TV
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  • Coney Island success stories: Lifelong Coney Island friends.
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  • Steeplechase Media Company and Warner Bros lawsuit over the "face."
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  • Coney Island melting pot leads to business success
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  • The "Y" over Jean's Bar on Mermaid Avenue
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  • Thoughts on AI and new technology
  • Working on the Magic Carpet ride on the Bowery
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  • Favorite ride: the Wonder Wheel
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  • Returning to Coney Island for Nathan's and Totonno's!
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    Billionaire media mogul Larry Namer is a Coney Island success story.

    Namer is a visionary who grew up in Coney Island and went on to create the groundbreaking E! Entertainment cable network, a media powerhouse that he later sold for $3 billion. He began his career as an underground cable splicer and today is Chairman and CEO of LJN Media, a multinational entertainment company that spans the globe. 

    In 2025 Namer wrote a book called Offscript: Recipies for Success. The book details his life and is  part memoir, part cookbook. He also shares favorite recipes, many inspired by the Coney Island restaurants of his youth. Included are his versions of Matzo Ball soup, gazpacho, egg rolls, and baked clams. He also shares memories of Totonno's, the Magic Carpet Ride, Steeplechase Park, Carolina’s, and his favorite ride: The Wonder Wheel.

    In this oral history Namer describes how growing up in Coney’s West End influenced his worldview and led to his success in business.