Stephen J. Cannell, prolific TV writer and producer, dies at 69

 

Stephen J. Cannell, the writer-producer for such television series as "The Rockford Files" and "The A-Team," has died. He was 69.

Cannell died Thursday night at his home in Pasadena from complications associated with melanoma, his family said in a statement.

The Emmy-winning producer also wrote for such series as "Adam-12" and "It Takes a Thief" and was a bestselling novelist. A consistent feature of his series was the distinctive ending credits, seen in this video.

We'll have a complete obituary later at latimes.com/obituaries.

-- Times staff reports

Comments

[Sheldon L. McCormick]

I attended the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books since 2006 and although I couldn't attend all of the author's seminars on their writing genres, I got motivation, learning in the noir type of fiction writing and some laughs from Stephen J. Cannell. He was and spoke at ease with the audience, emphazing the importance and vitality of the field of creative writing. Cannell was friendly and motivating. One of his talks could have make writers and writers run to the nearest pencil, paper, typewriter or computer. His numerous television shows and episodes of other shows have stood the test of time. May he rest in peace. Thanks, Mister Cannell, for all your inspiration, good reads and televison.

[Jennifer Mabley]

What a loss! My thoughts go out to his family. I am a huge fan of the shows he was part of as well as the thrillers he wrote. I miss him already.