Stephen J. Cannell, 'Rockford Files' and 'A-Team' Creator Dead at 69

What terrible news. Stephen J. Cannell was only 69 years old. For those of you who might not know the Emmy Award-winner by name, you’ll most certainly recognize him through his immortal work as the prolific creator/producer/writer of some of the most timeless television to come out of the 1970s and and 1980s, including my personal all-time favorite one-hour television show, “The Rockford Files” — which I gushed over just a few months ago. But there was also “The A-Team,” “The Greatest American Hero,” “Wiseguy,” and a whole host of smart, escapist entertainment so beloved and fondly remembered that Hollywood can’t stop with the remakes. Never met the man and wouldn’t have known how to properly thank him for all those hours of pleasure if I had.

Below is the latest from Reuters. Keep an eye on the marquee for more tributes as we come across them:

Hollywood writer Stephen Cannell, the producer of TV shows like “The A-Team” and “The Rockford Files”, has died at the age of 69, his family said on Friday.

“Stephen J. Cannell passed away at his home in Pasadena on Thursday evening due to complications associated with melanoma. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones,” the producer’s family said in a statement.

Cannell, who struggled with dyslexia at school, wrote hundreds of episodes for television shows in the 1970s and 1980s and created the character of private investigator Jim Rockford.

“The Rockford Files”, starring James Garner, ran for six years until 1980 and won an Emmy for best drama series.

Cannell also created or co-created almost 40 TV series including “Baretta,” “The Greatest American Hero,”, “Hardcastle and McCormick,” “21 Jump Street,” “The A-Team” and “Wiseguy.”

“Stephen was the pillar of strength within his family and he touched everyone he met. He will be most deeply missed,” the family said.

Full article is here.