David St. John, a TV producer who worked on shows including “America’s Next Top Model,” died Dec. 19 of pancreatic cancer in Seattle. He was 56.
St. John, whose death was only recently announced, started his career at MTV on the series “Taildaters,” rising from assistant to story producer. He moved on to “America’s Next Top Model,” co-executive producing more than 100 episodes of the hit reality show.
St. John was passionate about highlighting underrepresented communities, particularly while working on “I Am Jazz,” which followed transgender teen Jazz Jennings and earned a GLAAD Media Award. He went on to work on “The Ts Madison Experience.”
His final project, TLC’s “Jay & Pamela,” followed an engaged couple born with osteogenesis imperfecta.
“To be in David St. John’s orbit meant that you were witness to an astonishingly bright light… all the time,” said Drew Tappon, Head of Unscripted Development, Programming & Specials at OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. “He made everything better. And he made YOU feel better. Simply put, he just made us all better.”
Jazz Jennings’ family said in a statement, “David was more than just the executive producer of ‘I Am Jazz’ — he was family, and we loved him deeply. In our most challenging moments, he lifted our spirits with his warmth, reassured us that everything would be okay, and gave us the strength to share our family’s journey. His kindness, infectious laughter, and unwavering belief in our story will forever be woven into the heart and legacy of ‘I Am Jazz’ and remain a cherished part of our lives.”
St. John previously experienced two craniotomies to remove tumors, and became a volunteer meeting with patients preparing for brain surgery.
He is survived by his husband, Scott Darlington; his sisters, Corrine and Rachel; his mother, Lynn; and Kirsten and Karen Fenswick, whom he considered his sisters.
Details about memorial services are forthcoming.
