American television producer
Craig Piligian
Born (1957-08-25 ) August 25, 1957 (age 67) Occupation Television Producer Spouse Children 2
Craig Piligian (born August 25, 1957) is an American television producer, and the President and CEO ofPilgrim Films & Television . As an Executive Producer, he is best known for creatingThe Ultimate Fighter American Chopper ,Dirty Jobs Discovery Channel . In 2001, he won anEmmy Award as co-executive producer ofSurvivor [ 1]
In November 2003, Piligian began producingDirty Jobs , a series on the Discovery channel that focused on blue-collar jobs. The show ran for eight years and aired over 170 episodes.[ 2] [ 3] [ 2] [ 3]
In 2004, Piligian worked withDana White andLorenzo Fertitta to bring a reality show about mixed martial arts, calledThe Ultimate Fighter , to television.[ 4] UFC contract.[ 5]
In 2012, Piligian was ranked 18th onThe Hollywood Reporter 's "50 Most Powerful List".[ 6]
In 2015, Lionsgate purchased a major stake in Piligian's Pilgrim Studios for $200 million.[ 7] [ 8]
In March 2016, Piligian partnered withBen Affleck andMatt Damon to createThe Runner go90 .[ 9] [ 10] High on the Hog High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America .[ 11]
In April 2021, Piligian was named chair ofPilgrim Media Group and president.
On January 18, 2025, atUFC 311 , Piligian was officially announced as an inductee in the Contributor Wing of the 2025UFC Hall of Fame .[ 12]
He is married toLucinda Dickey ; they have two children.[ 13] [ 14]
^ "Outstanding Non-Fiction Program, 2001" . Emmy Awards. Archived fromthe original on October 15, 2013. RetrievedOctober 15, 2013 .^a b Levin, Gary."Discovery cancels 'Dirty Jobs' .USA TODAY .Archived from the original on November 22, 2012. RetrievedOctober 6, 2021 . ^a b Andreeva, Nellie (November 23, 2012)."Discovery Channel's 'Dirty Jobs' Cancelled" .Deadline .Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. RetrievedOctober 6, 2021 . ^ "Loretta Hunt: As The Ultimate Fighter ends run on Spike TV, a look back its origins" .Sports Illustrated . December 2011.Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. RetrievedOctober 6, 2021 .^ "The inside story of how 'The Ultimate Fighter' saved the UFC 15 years ago" .ESPN.com . April 9, 2020. RetrievedOctober 6, 2021 .^ "Reality TV: THR's 50 Most Powerful List" .The Hollywood Reporter . May 16, 2012.^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 12, 2015)."Lionsgate Buys Major Stake In Craig Piligian's Pilgrim Studios For $200 Million" .Deadline .Archived from the original on November 13, 2015. RetrievedOctober 6, 2021 . ^ Vlessing, Etan (November 12, 2015)."Lionsgate Invests $200M in Craig Piligian's Pilgrim Studios" .The Hollywood Reporter Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. ^ O'Connell, Mikey (March 16, 2016)."Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Craig Piligian Partner for Verizon Reality Competition" .The Hollywood Reporter .Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. RetrievedOctober 6, 2021 . ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 16, 2016)."Ben Affleck & Matt Damon Reality Series 'The Runner' To Launch On Verizon Go90" .Deadline .Archived from the original on March 18, 2016. RetrievedOctober 6, 2021 . ^ Petski, Denise (September 24, 2018)."Roger Ross Williams & Craig Piligian Team On 'High On The Hog' Docuseries Tracking African American History Through Food" .Deadline .Archived from the original on September 24, 2018. RetrievedOctober 6, 2021 . ^ Otterson, Joe (January 19, 2025)."UFC to Induct 'Ultimate Fighter' Co-Creator Craig Piligian into Hall of Fame (EXCLUSIVE)" .Variety . RetrievedJanuary 19, 2025 . ^ Biography for Lucinda Dickey atIMDb ^ " .Los Angeles Times . October 11, 2016. RetrievedOctober 6, 2021 .
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