Stephen J. Cannell, the producer behind such TV series as The Rockford Files and The A-Team, has passed away, the Associated Press reports. The producer, who died Thursday in his Pasadena, Calif., home from complications tied to melanoma, was 69 years old.
Along with producing, Cannell also was a writer, penning 16 books. The producer also boasted a recurring role on ABC’s Castle.
Read more:
Stephen J. Cannell: Friends and fans remember the TV producer
I loved Silk Stalkings!
OMG! That was like the best show ever! Talk about blast from the past.
OMG I loved him on Castle! This so sad!
I agree! I’m pretty sure (and hope) that they incorporate a salute to him at the poker game…
Agreed. That would be appropriate, I think, and sweet.
I’d be shocked if it wasn’t acknowledged.
Silk Stalkings, Murder, She Wrote, Castle. The man was so prolific. Everyone should be sad about his passing.
I am. I grew up on his shows–the At-Team, Hunter, The Greatest American Hero, the Rockfold Files. He will be missed.
wow…so many dying one after the other..he was so young too.rip.
I still remember that credits clip at the end of every A-Team episode, with Cannell ripping a page from his typewriter. So sad to see him go.
That’s the first thing that popped into my head when I read this! Sad!
Didn’t he also do “21 Jump Street”? I remember the bit with the typewriter from the end of the episodes on the DVDs.
Yes he did 21 Jump Street. RIP. So sad.
Rockford was the best detective show in the history of television. I can’t imagine anything topping it. Toma, Black Sheep Squadron, The Commish, A-Team, Greatest American Hero, Hardcastle and McCormick – he really defined action TV for a long run there…
Totally agree, TimW. Rockford was/is the best detective show ever. I hear/see its echo in so many shows, from Magnum to Moonlighting to Terriers. What a legacy. RIP, Steven. Oh, and how iconic was that typewriter bit at the end of his shows? Even The Simpsons spoofed it. That’s impressive.
I occasionally watch the reruns of “The Rockford Files” on RTN, and am struck (again) by how incredibly stylish and authentic that series was. It was a great show. I also like that Cannell didn’t have much actual violence in his shows. When I watch “The A-Team” I know there will be explosions (but no one gets blown to bits, just knocked across the room) and fisticuffs, but no one actually gets hurt. Perhaps that is unrealistic, but it is refreshing, too.
You can’t say he didn’t live a full life. RIP Steve.
He’d probably never produced a critical hit, but his shows will always, always be fondly remembered. Godspeed, Mr. Cannell.
He produced many critical hits–Rockford Files and Wiseguy just to name two. The guy didn’t just do A-Team.
Very saddened by this news. Cannell did many of my favortite TV shows growing up. RIP
Sit UBU, sit…forever…
Umm…wrong guy.
what can ya do. *sigh*
Awwww…..so sad….
Another of the best at what he does is gone & we the public will be the worse for it!
In the LOST season 6 DVD extras, Darlton interviewed other show creators for one of the segments. Cannell said that he had 42 shows on the air over the course of time and never ONCE got to end a series on his own terms. Staggering, isn’t it?
What a talented, creative man. I’ve enjoyed so many of his shows. So sad. RIP
Well, this is a downer. Stuart, Curtis, Cannell. Everyone, go hug a loved one, even if it’s your dog or cat.