Alfonso Ribeiro, Alyson Hannigan, Rob Mills and More Salute ‘AFV’ Maestro Vin Di Bona’s Long Run in Television
- - - Alfonso Ribeiro, Alyson Hannigan, Rob Mills and More Salute ‘AFV’ Maestro Vin Di Bona’s Long Run in Television
Cynthia LittletonJuly 13, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Heartwarming. Wise. Amazing. Those are some of the superlatives that friends and colleagues used to describe Vin Di Bona during a tribute to the veteran “America’s Funniest Home Videos” executive producer hosted by Hollywood Media Professionals.
Di Bona was hailed for his long run with Vin Di Bona Productions and his extensive efforts to train the next generation through his work as an instructor and member of the board of trustees of Emerson College, his alma mater. After starting his career as a pop singer in his native Rhode Island, Di Bona segued into TV production, working for local TV stations such as WBZ-TV Boston and later, KCBS-TV Los Angeles.
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Former “Entertainment Tonight” host Mary Hart thanked Di Bona for “going to bat for me” in 1982 when she auditioned for a groundbreaking newsmagazine show that he was helping to produce called “Entertainment Tonight.”
The presentation of Hollywood Media Professionals Honors’ kudo was held June 28 on the Manhattan Beach soundstage where Di Bona steers “AFV,” ABC’s enduring family favorite. The dais of speakers included “AFV” host Alfonso Ribeiro, Rob Mills, executive VP of unscripted and alternative entertainment for Walt Disney TV; and Alyson Hannigan, co-host with Ribeiro of the Di Bona-produced ABC special “America’s Funniest People.” Also weighing in was veteran producer Gary Grossman, who is working with Di Bona on his autobiography, and John Goldhammer, who toiled closely with Di Bona on “Entertainment Tonight,” and Hollywood Media Professionals president Chuck Street.
A number of notables sent recorded remarks, including Hart, former “AFV” host Tom Bergeron, Henry Winkler, Dave Coulier, Jay Leno, Leeza Gibbons and Eva LaRue. The event was produced by industry veteran E.V. Di Massa Jr., a longtime colleague of Di Bona.
Emcee Michael Burger shared personal stories of working with Di Bona. He credited the busy producer for discovering him while Burger was working as a cruise ship comic.
“I was a stand up comic telling jokes on a cruise ship, and he plucked me out of the ocean, dragged me off and gave me my first break,” Burger recalled.
Di Bona was praised for his instincts in casting talent, producers and other creatives on his many series over the years. Ribeiro, the former “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star, credited Di Bona with having faith in him to take the helm of “AFV” host after Tom Bergeron bowed out of the role in 2015. Ribeiro was known as a comic actor — he didn’t have much hosting experience.
“I told Vin I spent my whole life trying to get people to know my name is Alfonso, not Carlton,” Ribeiro said, citing his “Fresh Prince” character who was known for his distinctive dance.
“He said something so wise, and it applies to any host. He goes, ‘It’s not about you. Show interest in someone else, and you’ve injected them with the drug so powerful they’ll want to come back for more.’ And 11 seasons later, I think he spoke the truth,” Ribeiro said.
Hannigan, a newer recruit to the Di Bona troupe, noted that the producer’s innate kindness and consideration impressed her from the start. Di Bona’s penchant for being a natty dresser was also mentioned more than once. She recalled her first meeting with Di Bona for the crowd.
“I’m waiting in the lobby, and expecting to see many people before I meet him. And the door opens, and there’s Vin himself greeting me,” Hannigan recalled. “And he was in a fabulous suit, obviously, and he just walked me through and told me a wonderful story about this vintage television that was just so heartwarming. And I was immediately struck by – ‘Oh, why isn’t everybody in the business this man?’ “
Disney TV honcho Mills told the SRO crowd that he learned so much from working with Di Bona early in his career at ABC.
“I call work on this TV executive fantasy camp – it’s amazing. This is one of the shows where you can say, ‘I watched this show my entire life and now I can be lucky enough to work alongside these people,’ “ Mills enthused.
After more than an hour of superlatives, Di Bona took the podium to express his overwhelming gratitude and appreciation. He shared a long anecdote about the high-wire act of producing the 1987 TV special that was beamed live around the world during Pope John Paul II’s visit to the United States.
Di Bona closed by citing the importance of the strong professional and personal bonds he’s made along the way after more than 50 years in television. “There’s so much love in this room and kindness and friendship,” Di Bona said. “I thank you.”
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