Theodore Anthony Sarandos Jr. (born July 30, 1964) is an American media executive serving as the co-chief executive officer of Netflix. A central figure in the transformation of the entertainment industry, Sarandos led the company’s pivotal transition from a DVD-by-mail service to a global streaming and original content powerhouse. Born in Long Branch, New Jersey, and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Sarandos grew up in a family with modest means; his father was an electrician and his mother was a homemaker. During his youth, Sarandos developed a deep affinity for television and film, which he later cited as his primary window into the world outside of Phoenix. He attended Alhambra High School in Phoenix, where he worked for the school newspaper and notably interviewed actor Ed Asner, an experience that connected him to the entertainment industry. He briefly attended Glendale Community College before leaving to pursue a career in the home video industry. Sarandos began his professional career in the 1980s working in retail video stores. In 1983, he was promoted to manager of the Cassettes West chain, and by 1988, he had become the Western Regional Director of Sales and Operations for East Texas Distributors. He later served as the Vice President of Product and Merchandising for Video City/West Coast Video, a chain of nearly 500 stores. During this period, he distinguished himself by negotiating industry-first revenue-sharing agreements that facilitated the migration of the market from the VHS format to DVD. In 2000, Sarandos joined Netflix, which at the time was a nascent company focused on DVD rentals by mail. Recruited by co-founder Reed Hastings, Sarandos brought significant industry expertise to the startup. As Netflix’s Chief Content Officer, he was instrumental in the company’s pivot to streaming and, most notably, the aggressive launch of original programming. Under his creative direction, Netflix greenlit critically acclaimed and culturally impactful series such as "House of Cards," "Orange Is the New Black," and "Stranger Things," as well as global hits like "Squid Game." His data-driven approach to content acquisition and creation helped establish Netflix as a dominant, disruptive force in global entertainment. In July 2020, Netflix promoted Sarandos to the position of co-chief executive officer alongside Reed Hastings. Following a restructuring of the company’s leadership in January 2023, Hastings transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman, and Sarandos continued as co-CEO, sharing leadership responsibilities with Greg Peters. In this capacity, Sarandos oversees the company’s global content strategy, which has increasingly focused on international productions and diverse storytelling, further solidifying Netflix’s position in the international market. Sarandos is involved in various philanthropic and advisory roles. He serves on the boards of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the American Film Institute, the Paley Center for Media, and the Peabody Awards, among others. He has been a frequent donor to Democratic Party candidates and causes, including contributions to the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Joe Biden. In his personal life, Sarandos has two children, Sarah and Anthony, from his first marriage to Michelle Sarandos. In 2009, he married Nicole Avant, a former United States Ambassador to the Bahamas and a producer. The couple resides in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. Sarandos is Catholic and has been recognized for his contributions to the industry with numerous honors, including the Producers Guild of America Milestone Award.