The Philanthropist
Series Overview
The title character, Teddy Rist (portrayed by James Purefoy), is a billionaire playboy haunted by the death of his only child. His life changes when he rescues a young boy during a hurricane in Nigeria. As a result, Rist begins using his fortune to personally change the lives of others.[4] The Philanthropist is based loosely on the life of Bobby Sager.[5] The Philanthropist is an American action drama series that premiered on NBC on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. The program was a limited summer series, principally filmed in South Africa. It opened to strong ratings, but saw a drop in viewers in subsequent weeks. The Philanthropist is a Carnival Films production in association with The Levinson/Fontana Company and Original Media. Tom Fontana, Barry Levinson, Peter Horton, Charlie Corwin, Gareth Neame, and Teri Weinberg served as executive producers.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
1 Season • 8 Episodes
60 min per episode
2009 – 2009
Premiered: Wed, Jun 24, 2009
Tom FontanaLatest Aired Episode
Season 1, Episode 8: “Haiti”
Food shortage leads Teddy and Philip to Haiti where they try to help, but Philip's estranged brother, a powerful island senator named Jean Beauvais, interferes.
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
Trailer | The Philanthropist
Type: Trailer • Published 2012-02-14
Cast & Creators
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Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Tom Fontana
Barry Levinson
Charlie Corwin
Department Leadership Roster
Charlie Corwin
Producer
Barry Levinson
Writer
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Philanthropist.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Philanthropist
Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.
What is The Philanthropist about?
The title character, Teddy Rist (portrayed by James Purefoy), is a billionaire playboy haunted by the death of his only child. His life changes when he rescues a young boy during a hurricane in Nigeria. As a result, Rist begins using his fortune to personally change the lives of others.[4] The Philanthropist is based loosely on the life of Bobby Sager.[5] The Philanthropist is an American action drama series that premiered on NBC on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. The program was a limited summer series, principally filmed in South Africa. It opened to strong ratings, but saw a drop in viewers in subsequent weeks. The Philanthropist is a Carnival Films production in association with The Levinson/Fontana Company and Original Media. Tom Fontana, Barry Levinson, Peter Horton, Charlie Corwin, Gareth Neame, and Teri Weinberg served as executive producers.
How many seasons does The Philanthropist have?
The Philanthropist comprises 1 season available to explore.
Who stars in The Philanthropist?
Key cast members in The Philanthropist include James Purefoy, Neve Campbell, Michael Kenneth Williams, Lindy Booth, Jesse L. Martin.
Who created or directed The Philanthropist?
The Philanthropist was developed and directed by Tom Fontana.