Tinker was born in Stamford, Connecticut,[1] the son of Ruth Prince Tinker (née Byerly) (1927–2004) and future NBC chairman Grant Tinker (1926–2016), and is the brother of John Tinker, with whom he worked on St. Elsewhere. His stepmother was Mary Tyler Moore, who was married to Grant Tinker from 1962 until 1981. His brother Michael was a Los Angeles policeman and detective for over 30 years.
Tinker was an executive producer and regular director on the HBO series Deadwood. Tinker joined the HBO western drama Deadwood for the third and final season in 2006. The series was created by David Milch and focused on a growing town in the American West. Prior to Deadwood, Tinker served as a director/producer on NYPD Blue, which was co-created by Deadwood writer David Milch. Tinker also produced and/or directed episodes of The White Shadow, St. Elsewhere, Capital News, Civil Wars, Chicago Hope, L.A. Law, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Scandal, Chicago P.D., Magnum P.I., and American Gods.Tinker last collaborated with David Milch on the short-lived HBO drama series John from Cincinnati, which began airing in June, 2007. Tinker directed the pilot and served as executive producer. Tinker has 4 Emmy awards - 1 for producing NYPD Blue, 1 for directing NYPD Blue, 1 for St. Elsewhere and 1 for directing the Brooklyn South pilot. Additionally he has 3 George Foster Peabody awards, 3 Humanitas Prize awards and 7 DGA nominations.
Personal life
Formerly married (1988–2000) to the actress and painter Kristin Harmon, he married actress Chandra West in October 2005.[3]
