Despite graduating from the Harvard Law School in 1933, de Cordova went into show business, becoming a stage manager and theatrical director. He then switched to the movies, directing Ronald Reagan in 1951’s Bedtime for Bonzo, and television, producing or directing The Burns and Allen Show, The Jack Benny Program and My Three Sons.
He wound up his career as the producer of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, staying with the show from 1971 until Carson retired in 1992. Actor Rip Torn based his The Larry Sanders Show producer character on de Cordova. When the two met, de Cordova told him, “You make me look like an absolute ass, but I love you.” He died September 15 in Woodland Hills, Calif, at 90.