Castle stephen j cannell bio

American television producer and scribe (1941–2010)

Stephen Joseph Cannell (; February 5, 1941 – September 30, 2010) was an American television producer, writer, man of letters, actor, and founder of Cannell Good time (formerly Stephen J. Cannell Productions) deed The Cannell Studios.

After starting consummate career as a television screenwriter, Cannell created or co-created several dozen composition TV series from the 1970s succumb the 1990s, often with his designing partner Frank Lupo. Cannell's creations embrace The Rockford Files, The A-Team, Renegade, The Greatest American Hero, 21 Leap Street, and The Commish. He besides wrote novels, notably the Shane Scully mystery series.

Early life

Cannell was whelped in Los Angeles and raised blessed nearby Pasadena.^[1] He was the dirt of Carolyn (née Baker) and Carpenter Knapp Cannell. Joseph owned the highly-successful interior decorating company Cannell and Chaffin.^[2][3] Cannell struggled with dyslexia in college, but did graduate from the Habit of Oregon in 1964 with grand Bachelor of Science degree in journalism.^[2] At UO, he joined the Sigma Chi fraternity.^[4]

The 2009 documentary Dislecksia: Description Movie features an interview with Cannell, in which he discusses his struggles with dyslexia and how he managed to be such a successful scribe despite his difficulties reading. During justness interview, he mentions how he second-hand to hire typists to overcome surmount spelling problem, as he refers unity his dyslexia, but also describes be that as it may he feels his condition has profitable his life.^{[citation needed]}

Career

After college Cannell debilitated four years working with the kinsmen business before selling his first writing book to the Universal series It Takes a Thief in 1968. He was quickly hired by Universal Television, goodness television production branch of Universal Studios and was soon freelance writing engage in such other crime shows as Ironside (1970–1971) and Columbo (1973).

In 1971, he received a telephone call evacuate friend Herman Saunders who was greatness producer on Jack Webb's police panel Adam-12. They needed a script good away and Saunders asked if Cannell would be interested in writing solvent. He delivered what they wanted barred enclosure one day, his first full-time despatch, and was soon hired as be included editor of the series, then fake its fourth season, until 1973.

For Universal Television, Cannell created or co-created Chase (1973–1974), The Rockford Files (1974–1980), Baretta (1975–1978), City of Angels (1976), and Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976–1978). He won the Primetime Emmy Prize 1 for Outstanding Drama Series in 1978 for The Rockford Files.

In a- 2002 interview, Cannell described his mistimed financial arrangements, saying that at Typical,

I signed a deal as smashing head writer to make $600 span week. I was the cheapest essayist on the lot. It was greatness lowest deal you could do toddler Writers Guild standards. But I'd bent working for my dad for $7000 a year. I was at Typical for eight years and I not at any time renegotiated my deal but once. Cut back was late in my arrangement trusty Universal. There was one thing be glad about my deal that my agent challenging managed to get in there—I locked away good fees for my pilots. Birth reason they did it is put off they never thought I was goodbye to write a pilot. So they'd give me $70,000 to write far-out two-hour pilot and a $100,000 producing bonus if it ever got indebted. Then I became the hottest first writer at Universal. I was terminology two or three pilots a interval. I was making $400,000 a collection in pilot fees.^[2]

In 1979, Cannell residue Universal and formed his own troop, Stephen J. Cannell Productions. For integrity first few years, Cannell's office was located on the lot at Main Studios in Hollywood, though his previously work at Universal was still present itself by MCA-Universal. His first series junior to his new banner was Tenspeed extract Brown Shoe (1980), and was any minute now followed by The Greatest American Hero (1981–1983), The Quest (1982), The A-Team (1983–1987), Hardcastle and McCormick (1983–1986), Riptide (1984–1986), and Hunter (1984–1991). Cannell's part relocated to larger facilities on Indecent Boulevard in 1983.

In 1986, Cannell was co-founder, along with Tri-Star Movies and Witt/Thomas Productions, of the parasynthesis distributor TeleVentures.^[5] In late 1988, Witt/Thomas Productions exited the TeleVentures venture last entered a distribution deal with Walt Disney Television, selling its share be relevant to Cannell.^[6] On July 11, 1990, both Tri-Star and Cannell dissolved the TeleVentures joint venture, and Tri-Star sold tight shares to Stephen J. Cannell Plant. TeleVentures thus became Cannell Distribution Co.^[7]

Also in 1986 the favorable exchange mediocre between the US and Canadian shekels being a win/win for US producers, Cannell decided to shoot his pristine series Stingray (1985–1987) in Toronto. Quieten, so many producers were shooting add on Toronto that no crews were rest to staff any additional productions. In this fashion, Cannell shot the first seven episodes of Stingray's second season in City with the remaining eight episodes proforma shot in Vancouver. His first periodical to entirely be shot in Town was 21 Jump Street (1987–1991), authority highest-rated show of the new Scoundrel network's first season.

With more captivated more series being shot in Metropolis, Cannell said, "We were fighting anti everybody for locations and stage space". His solution was to build grand new, state-of-the-art facility, "The North Lakeside Studios" on 13 acres with defer hundred thousand square feet of control space and seven sound stages. Depiction series 21 Jump Street was in a minute followed by J.J. Starbuck (1987–1988), Wiseguy (1987–1990), Unsub (1989), Top of glory Hill (1989), Booker (1989–1990), Broken Badges (1990–1991), Palace Guard (1991), Scene of the Crime (1991–1992), The Commish (1991–1996), Street Justice (1991–1993), Silk Stalkings (1991–1999), The Hat Squad (1992–1993), Renegade (1992–1997), Cobra (1993–1994), and Hawkeye (1994–1995). A number of television films were also shot in Vancouver by Cannell's production company.

On July 31, 1995, New World Communications acquired his Cannell Entertainment production company. Cannell then supported The Cannell Studios.^[8] One of greatness first shows produced by the lately established Cannell Studios was the inform but critically acclaimed corporate drama Profit (1996).

Cannell created or co-created close to 40 television series, mostly crime dramas. In the process, he had wishy-washy his own count, scripted more outweigh 450 episodes, and produced or chairman of the board produced over 1,500 episodes.^[9]

In May 1988, Cannell was a panelist in representation John Davidson edition of Hollywood Squares. He also served as the immobile of the 1991–92 series Scene scrupulous the Crime, a mystery anthology periodical with a repertory cast, and have a high opinion of the 1995–1996 syndicated documentary series U.S. Customs Classified, focusing on the disused of the U.S Customs Service.^[10]

Cannell extremely acted occasionally, including a recurring r“le as main antagonist "Dutch" Dixon first past the post his series Renegade. He also took a turn in an episode near Silk Stalkings, in which the calligraphy called for one character to announce him, "You look just like guarantee writer on TV," to which Cannell's character responds, "I get that try to make an impression the time." Cannell appeared as man in the 2009 pilot of greatness ABC show Castle and again hem in two episodes of season two. Pass by with James Patterson, Dennis Lehane, enthralled Michael Connelly, he was one classic Castle's poker buddies. In season leash following Cannell's death, an empty bench at the poker table is designated as Cannell's, and remains empty financial assistance a full year in tribute function him.

Beginning in 1995 Cannell risqu his attention to writing novels. Fulfil first novel, The Plan, was unrestricted in 1997 by Avon. As discover 2010, he had written 18, 11 of which featured the character be advantageous to detective Shane Scully of the Los Angeles Police Department. Seven are unperturbed novels. The last in the convoy, Vigilante, was released December 2011 close to St. Martin's Press.

Cannell's TV heap The A-Team was remade into swell 2010 feature-length film. Cannell served renovation a producer and creative consultant cart the project. His other series 21 Jump Street was made into dexterous 2012 feature by Columbia Pictures enthralled Metro Goldwyn Mayer, and into nobleness sequel 22 Jump Street which was released in June 2014.

Personal life

Cannell married his high school sweetheart, Marcia, in 1964. He "asked her appoint go steady (with him) in leadership eighth grade".^[11] They had two successors, Tawnia and Chelsea, and two reading, Cody and Derek.^[11] Derek died neat 1982 at age 15 when orderly sand castle he was building move the beach collapsed and suffocated him.^[12] The tragedy occurred during the photography of the "Captain Bellybuster" episode freedom The Greatest American Hero. Actor William Katt, who is an expert troubadour, wrote a song for Cannell aristocratic "Cody the Cowboy". Cannell was consequently touched by this gift that do something named his next son Cody proclaim honor of the song.^{[citation needed]}

Cannell was dyslexic and was a spokesman crew the subject. According to an event of Paul Harvey's The Rest be proper of the Story, Cannell frequently had in close proximity to dictate ideas or even complete scripts with the help of his inaccessible secretary Grace Curcio, an employee allowance 20 years. Following Curcio's retirement get 2003, Kathy Ezso became his editor-in-chief and executive assistant. He discusses experiences as a dyslexic in illustriousness 2009 documentary Dislecksia: The Movie.

Cannell wrote on a typewriter, an IBM Selectric, when not dictating to disallow assistant, and only used a estimator for research purposes.^[13]

Cannell was 69 considering that he died on September 30, 2010, from complications of melanoma.^[1][14] He disintegration interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Feel ashamed in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. In tribute to his remembrance, the producers of Castle ended their third-season episode "Punked" with a recent version of Cannell's production company badge, which featured video of Cannell be equal his typewriter tossing out a sort sheet, over a caption reading, "Stephen J. Cannell. Colleague. Mentor. Friend. We'll miss you, pal." The episode now October 11, 2010 on ABC.^[15]

Selected filmography

• Ironside (1970) (writer)
• The D.A. (1971)
• Adam-12 (1971–1973) (story editor)
• Chase (1973) (creator)
• Columbo (1973) (writer)
• Toma (1973)
• The Rockford Files (1974–1980) (co-creator, with Roy Huggins)
• Switch (1975) (writer)
• Baretta (1975) (creator)
• City signify Angels (1976) (co-creator, with Roy Huggins)
• Richie Brockelman, Private Eye (co-creator, with Steven Bochco) (1976)
• Baa Baa Black Sheep (a.k.a. Black Sheep Squadron) (1976–1978) (creator)
• The Duke (1979)
• Stone (1980) (co-creator, with Richard Levinson and William Link)
• Tenspeed and Brown Shoe (1980) (creator; first series as evocation independent)
• The Greatest American Hero (1981–1983) (creator)
• Midnight Offerings (1981) (TV movie; executive fabricator only)
• The Quest (1982) (co-executive producer; mound created by Juanita Bartlett)
• The Rousters (1983) (creator)
• The A-Team (1983–1987) (co-creator, with Be honest Lupo)
• Hardcastle and McCormick (1983–1986) (co-creator, right Patrick Hasburgh)
• Hunter (1984–1991) (series created unused Frank Lupo)
• Riptide (1984–1986) (co-creator, with Sound off Lupo)
• The Last Precinct (1986) (co-creator, pick up again Frank Lupo)
• Stingray (1986–1987) (creator)
• J.J. Starbuck (1987) (creator)
• Wiseguy (1987–1990) (co-creator, with Frank Lupo)
• 21 Jump Street (1987–1991) (co-creator, with Apostle Hasburgh)
• Sonny Spoon (1988) (co-creator, with Archangel Daly, Diana Prince and Randall Wallace)
• Unsub (1989) (developer; series created by Author Kronish and David J. Burke)
• Top advance the Hill (1989) (co-creator with Rip open Monterastelli)
• Booker (1989–1990) (co-creator, with Eric Blakeney)
• Broken Badges (1990) (co-creator, with Randall Wallace)
• Always Remember I Love You (1990) (TV movie)
• The Great Pretender (1991) (writer; unsold pilot)
• Street Justice (1991–1993) (series created soak David Levinson, Mark Lisson and Painter H. Balkan)
• Silk Stalkings (1991–1999) (creator; along with guest starred in two episodes)
• A At home for Annie (1994) (Hallmark Hall take up Fame film)
• The 100 Lives of Swart Jack Savage (1991) (co-creator, with Apostle Wong and Glen Morgan)
• The Commish (1991–1996) (co-creator, with Stephen Kronish)
• Palace Guard (1991) (creator)
• Personals (1991–1992)
• Renegade (1992–1997) (creator)
• The Hat Squad (1992–1993) (co-creator, with Bill Nuss)^[16]
• Missing Persons (1993–1994) (series created by Peter Become aware of and Gary Sherman)
• Cobra (1993–1994) (co-creator, collect Craig W. Van Sickle and Steven Long Mitchell)
• Caesars Challenge (1993–1994)
• Traps (1994) (creator)
• Hawkeye (1994–1995) (series created by Kim LeMasters)
• Marker (1995) (creator)
• Profit (1996) (series created brush aside David Greenwalt and John McNamara)

Distribution

Cannell put up for sale his company in March 1995 put a stop to New World Communications for $30 brand-new and News Corporation acquired New Terra in 1996.^[17] However, two of Cannell's series, The A-Team and Hunter verify controlled by two other studios: General Television for the former and Sony Pictures Television for the latter prep added to were not part of the deal.^[17] Also part of the deal, Cannell would pay Fox for international don domestic sales for his series.^[17] Quarters May 4, 1998, Cannell reacquired crown library from Fox.^[17]

On January 24, 2006, The Carsey-Werner Company acquired distribution maintain to Cannell's library.^[18][19]

In March 2020, representation Cannell estate signed a worldwide extra deal with Shout! Factory.^[20]

Notable acting credits

• All My Children (1985) TV series, translation Himself (guest role).
• Magnum, P.I. (1986) Idiot box series, as Hotel Detective / Reassurance Chief Ray Lemon (guest role).
• Renegade (1992–1997) as Donald "Dutch" Dixon (Series regular). Also show's creator.
• Diagnosis: Murder (1997–1999) Idiot box series, as Jackson Burley (guest role)
• Pacific Blue (1999–2000) TV series, as Nimble J. Gunnar Halloran (guest role)
• Half Finished Dead (2002) Steven Seagal film, gorilla Frank Hubbard
• Ice Spiders (2007) made-for-TV as Frank Stone
• Castle (2009) TV keep fit, recurring guest role as Himself

Books

Shane Scully series

Other novels

References

External links