Frederick Timmins de Cordova (October 27, 1910 – September 15, 2001) was an American stage, motion picture and television director and producer.

In his 1988 autobiography, de Cordova described his parents as con artists who, during his early years, lived well and skipped town without paying their bills.

He also directed Rock Hudson, Errol Flynn, Tony Curtis, Audie Murphy, Yvonne de Carlo, Bob Hope, and Humphrey Bogart.

[6] De Cordova turned to directing television when there was less call for low-budget movies to serve as the second half of a double feature.

His TV career began in 1950 with directing The Jack Benny Program, on which he was played several times by actor Ross Elliott.

[3] De Cordova was described as ".. a large, looming, beaming man with horn-rimmed glasses, an Acapulcan tan, and an engulfing handshake that is a contract in itself, complete with small print and an option for renewal on both sides.

During tapings of the Tonight Show, de Cordova would sit in a chair just beyond the guests' couch so that he could cue Carson directly and speak with him during commercial breaks.

[10] The segment was almost an exact copy of the Tonight Show, except the host's desk was empty; de Cordova conducted all of his interviews from his usual perch off-camera.

[11] Despite his advanced age and lessened role in the waning days of the Carson period, Jay Leno kept de Cordova on the Tonight Show as a consultant.