Julian Brodsky

Julian A. Brodsky, 93, of Philadelphia, PA, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and brother, Julian is survived by Lois, his beloved wife of 70 years, and their three daughters, Debra Brodsky, Ellen Brodsky (Ted Rybeck), and Laura Brodsky (Michael Beard). He is also survived by his cherished grandchildren, Mia and Emma Rybeck and Peter and Jack Beard; his brother, Marc Brodsky (Vivian Brodsky); and niece Emily Brodsky (Francis Nimmo). He was predeceased by his parents, David and Esther Brodsky, and nephew Alex Brodsky (survived by Adina Jacobson).

Born on July 16, 1933, in Philadelphia, Julian attended Overbrook High School and graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1956. He then served in the United States Army for two years in Alabama before beginning his professional career as a certified public accountant in Philadelphia. While working as an auditor, he developed an early interest in the emerging cable television industry.

In 1963, when Ralph J. Roberts founded Comcast, Julian joined him as a co-founding partner along with Daniel Aaron, and together they created the company. As Comcast’s longtime chief financial officer, Julian helped the company grow from a small cable television business into the nation’s largest television and broadband provider, headquartered in Philadelphia.

Julian was a passionate supporter of ideas and talent. He formed Comcast Interactive Capital in 1999, today known as Comcast Ventures, during the proliferation of internet commerce and served as non-executive Vice Chairman of Comcast from 2004 until his retirement in 2011.

Although he was technically retired, Julian’s love of mentoring future finance leaders and contributing to philanthropic causes close to his and Lois’ hearts brought him into the office regularly until recently.

Together with Lois, he was a longtime supporter of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, announcing a $20 million gift in October 2026 to create the Lois G. and Julian A. Brodsky Learning and Engagement Center to expand educational opportunities for children, families, and the community.

In addition to his financial acumen, Julian was known for his quick wit and competitive spirit. An avid athlete and lifelong sports enthusiast, Julian stood 6-foot-4 and had a particular love for basketball. He especially enjoyed recounting an Overbrook summer league game when, at age 17, he famously blocked a shot by a 13-year-old Wilt Chamberlain. The advantage was brief, however, as Chamberlain grew into the legendary player the world would come to know. It remained one of Julian’s favorite stories and always brought a smile to his face.

At the age of 50, he completed the Marine Corps Marathon. He also was an ardent tennis player who could be found in the stands of many US Open Tennis Championships, including the most recent 2026 tournament in New York.

Julian had a lifelong passion for travel and exploring the world, visiting dozens of countries with his family and close friends. He embraced every opportunity to experience new cultures, immerse himself in their history, savor local cuisine, and appreciate their natural beauty. For Julian, travel was all about creating cherished memories with those closest to him.

Julian’s contributions to the cable industry were widely recognized over his nearly 50-year career at Comcast. He received numerous prestigious honors, including induction into the Cable Hall of Fame in 2003 and the National Cable Television Association’s Distinguished Vanguard Award.

Service Details
A private memorial service will be held, and a celebration of Julian’s life will be announced at a later date.

Memorial Contributions
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Julian Brodsky to institutions he cared deeply about:

Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Barnes Foundation
The Free Library of Philadelphia

The family encourages friends and loved ones to share photos and memories of Julian in celebration of his life.