[1] A native of Louisiana, Paratore earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Loyola University New Orleans.
[2] Paratore began his career as a programming director for several Florida television stations before joining Telepictures.
[1] He developed Telepictures' slate of daytime syndicated and prime time reality shows, including ABC's The Bachelor.
[1][3] In 2005, he partnered with Harvey Levin to create the entertainment Web site TMZ and its daily television show.
[1] Paratore died of a heart attack while bicycling in Paris, France, on May 29, 2012, at the age of 58.