An important figure in network TV during the 1980s and 90s who rose to prominence at NBC during its lengthy hold on the Number 1 spot in primetime ratings. Spotted by NBC president and wunderkind Brandon Tartikoff after he co-produced a TV-movie for CBS, "The Last Giraffe" (1979), Littlefield quickly rose through the ranks at NBC via its comedy division, developing such signature hit series as "Cheers", "The Cosby Show", and "The Golden Girls".

In positions as senior and executive vice president, Littlefield was second among program executives to Tartikoff alone and became known as his heir