[Spotlight Post] Glen A. Larson – In Memoriam

Not long after I wrote the last Spotlight(ish) post, I found out about a passing. I am a product of 1970’s and 1980s television. Though I read a lot, I learned a lot of my story telling skills and pacing from television – and Action Television at that. Gene Roddenberry taught me a lot through Star Trek, but I learned as much from what I consider – at the time – the Big Three: Stephen Cannell, Glen A. Larson, and Donald Bellisario. We lost Cannell a few years ago. On November 14th, we lost Glen A. Larson.

I never got to meet Larson, but he created and developed some iconic television. Though he was known more for “action” and police procedural shows like The Fall Guy, Magnum, P.I., and Knight Rider (among so many others) – he was also responsible for Battlestar Galactica (all of them – or was at lease part a writer or credited for them) and The Six Million Dollar Man. But he created, produced, or wrote for a lot of the television that molded me – as a viewer and as a writer.

Glen Larson was a power. He was one of the pillars of my professional career – even though we never met. He made careers, formed pop culture, and helped define the word “Prolific”. I can only hope to have a sliver of his talent, imagination, and breadth of work, but it’s a worthy goal to strive for.

So, to Larson’s family, friends, and colleagues – you don’t mourn alone. We share your loss. His legacy lives on through those of us who have been inspired by his breadth of work across genres, across mediums, and across the galaxy. Glen Larson will be sorely missed.

Tags: Glen A. Larson, Icon, Memorial, RIP, Spotlight post, Television