Last week we lost an iconic voice in television, as Glen A. Larson passed away at the age of 77.
Glen A. Larson died Friday, November 14, 2014, after battling esophageal cancer.
The California native should be a familiar name to TV fans, as Larson has had a hand in shaping some of the most iconic shows of the ’70s and ’80s, and has done a lot to define the modern-day procedural and sci-fi genres.
Larson began his career as a musician, singing in the vocal group The Four Preps.
Moving into the television industry, Larson jumped from one iconic show to the next. His first role was as a producer for The Fugitive, and he also worked on developing The Six Million Dollar Man.
After signing a production deal with Universal Studios, he went on to create Alias Smith and Jones.
In 1978, Larson created the original Battlestar Galactica, which while not a huge hit in its own time (it was very expensive to produce, and was not renewed for a second series), went on to become a cult favourite, and of course spawned the reboot series.
In the ’80s, Larson co-created Tom Selleck’s smash hit Magnum P.I., as well as The Fall Guy and Knight Rider.
Larson’s contribution to the television industry can’t just be measured by listing his iconic, beloved shows, however. What he did was much more significant: contemporary critics would call out Larson for his cinematic style, and accused him of borrowing themes and plots from high-concept movies of his time.
But what Larson essentially did was bridge the gap between films and television series, proving that cop dramas and science fiction epics didn’t just belong on the big screen. Larson proved that television could be just as ambitious, and reach just as high, as movies did.
Glen A. Larson was without a doubt one of the founding fathers of modern-day television. He will be sorely missed both by his fans, his friends and his colleagues. We wish his family all the best in this troubling time.
The industry pays its respects
Several of Larson’s colleagues have taken to Twitter to share their condolences following the sad news, including Knight Rider star David Hasselhoff and BSG reboot creator Ronald D. Moore:
Condolences to Glen Larsons family. Friend/Creator of knight rider. Had 7 tv series at one time!WiThout him there'd be no KITT & Michael
— David Hasselhoff (@DavidHasselhoff) November 16, 2014
Good-bye Glen Larson and thank you for creating one of the shows from my childhood that changed my life. May you find your own 13th Colony.
— Ronald D. Moore (@RonDMoore) November 16, 2014
A sad day for Sci-Fi and BG fans. Glen Larson has passed. A few words from Richard.
#richardhatch #bsg… http://t.co/tk6eD8i7Rt
— Richard Hatch (@thumbfighter) November 15, 2014
Glen Larson, we thank you for the ride,you are battlestar, we will miss you. See you on the other side. #Sosayweall Admiral Adama
— Edward James Olmos (@edwardjolmos) November 15, 2014
RIP Mr. Glen Larson. You made great television and was a dear friend. Prayers to the Larson family.
— Scott Baio (@ScottBaio) November 15, 2014
RIP Glen Larson. So many shows, but THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN was it for me. My first Super 8 short, in 1978: THE TEN MILLION DOLLAR BOY.
— Peyton Reed (@MrPeytonReed) November 15, 2014
R.I.P. #GlenLarson, one of my 1st bosses in Hollywood, I really took off the training wheels under his tutelage, as did many others
— Steven E. de Souza (@StevenEdeSouza) November 15, 2014