Legendary producer, writer, novelist, and occasional actor Stephen J. Cannell died at the age of 69 this past Thursday evening of complications associated with melanoma at his home in Pasadena, California. Cannell created or co-created more than 40 Television shows, including The Greatest American Hero, 21 Jump Street, The A-Team and Baretta.

Cannell formed his own independent production company, Stephen J. Cannell Productions in 1979, he wrote more than 450 television episodes, produced or executive-produced more than 1,500 television episodes. Cannell also wrote 17 novels, the majority of which focused on the fictional LAPD Detective, Shane Scully.

Cannell most recently served as Producer and Creative Consultant for the big-screen adaptation of The A-Team, and appeared as himself in the pilot and a season 2 episode of the ABC television series, Castle, where he joined fellow authors James Patterson and Michael Connelly as one of Castle’s (Nathan Fillion) poker buddies.

Stephen J. Cannell Productions

Cannell is survived by his Wife and high school sweetheart, Marcia and their two daughters, Tawnia and Chelsea.