In Memoriam: Mary-Ellis Bunim

Academy Member Mary-Ellis Bunim, one of the creators of the reality television genre, died Thursday of breast cancer. She was 57.

Bunim founded Bunim-Murray Productions with her partner Jonathan Murray in 1987. The company is best known for developing The Real World, the MTV series which taped the unscripted interactions of several young people living in a house together. The show became the highest-rated program on MTV, and is now in its 14th season. The pair also produced the Fox primetime reality show The Simple Life, which stars Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.

Bunim began her television career in daytime dramas. She oversaw more than 2,500 hours of programming as executive producer of Search for Tomorrow, As the World Turns, Santa Barbara and Loving. She went on to develop numerous shows in her job as VP of tape programs for New World Entertainment.

She is survived by her daughter, Juliana.

A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the National Breast Cancer Coalition Fund, 1101 17th St. N.W., Suite 1300, Washington, D.C., 20036.