Stephen J. Cannell (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Stephen+J.+Cannell), the mastermind of fast-moving and lively TV shows like "The Rockford Files" and "The A Team," died Friday at his Pasadena (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Pasadena) home from complications of melanoma. He was 69.
Cannell was also the author of 14 best-selling novels, many in a crime series featuring Shane Scully (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Shane+Scully) of the LAPD (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Los+Angeles+Police+Department).
Cannell created about 40 TV shows over his career, including "21 Jump Street (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/21+Jump+Street)," "Wiseguy," "Silk Stalkings (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Silk+Stalkings)," "The Commish" and "The Greatest American Hero (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/The+Greatest+American+Hero)."
He occasionally acted in his own shows and his final TV appearance had him playing himself in a poker game on ABC’s "Castle" with fellow real-life novelists James Patterson (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/James+Patterson) and Michael Connelly (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Michael+Connelly) and fictional novelist Richard Castle (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Richard+Castle).
Cannell was born in Los Angeles (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Los+Angeles), lived in the area all his life, and had been married for 46 years to his high school sweetheart, Marcia.
He went into the family furniture business after he graduated from the University of Oregon (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/University+of+Oregon), and broke into television by selling scripts for established series.
His first sale was for "It Takes a Thief," and he wrote episodes of crime shows like "Ironside" and "Colombo (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Colombo)" before he was hired as a full-time writer for "Adam-12."
He also made an influential behind-the-scenes television move by opening his own studio in Vancouver (http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Vancouver), lowering production costs on shows like "21 Jump Street."
Cannell battled dyslexia all his life, calling it "my spelling problem." He became a spokesman and fund-raiser for research into the condition.
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Boooo.

I did not know that Stephen J. Cannell had suffered from skin cancer, and he passed away unexpectedly. Just recently, Cannell served as a creative consultant for the film version of The A-Team.

The production logo he was featured in became a figular in popular culture (like all other production logos).

I just want to say, Thank you, Mr. Stephen James Cannell, for 69 wonderful years. :rip:

I've always been a big fan of his and love Rockford Files.
RIP Stephen
:(