STEWART COPELAND

No, he wasn't a music icon or anything, but for myself and I'm sure many of my fellow "Children of the 80s", Stephen J. Cannell played a huge part in shaping our television landscapes - and our lives, in a way - for many decades.

Rockford Files, 21 Jump Street, Riptide, Greatest American Hero, Hunter, Hardcastle & McCormick, Baretta, and my beloved A-Team...his writing was a key factor in what made these shows great (and why many suffered when he stopped writing for them and took on new projects!) He gave me the heroes I grew up wanting to be like, and inspired me to want to become a writer myself.

Another tragic loss now to that bastard melanoma.

http://www.cannell.com/

"With profound sadness, we have to announce that our dear friend and colleague, Stephen Cannell, has lost a brave fight against cancer. He passed away at his home last night. He will be missed beyond measure by the Cannell Team and all of us who had the privilege and the plain good luck to know and work with him. Through the legacy of his body of work, with which he was able to entertain and enrich the lives of millions of viewers and thousands of readers, he will always be with us, living on in our hearts and minds, with fond memories forever."

AWWWW That totally sucks. He wrote some awesome stuff. We have been watching a bit of those shows on RTV (rabbit ears cable..btw) lately.

MELANOMA SUCKS!!!

RIP. But we will never forget him thanks to cable.

Melanoma again?! Sheesh. RIP

I remember the familiar clip of him at the typewriter after the end credits finished. The paper popped out and made a C for Cannell.

Another beloved part of my youth gone. RIP

So sad.
Just the Rockford Files alone made my youth.
Growing up it was the best show. Ever.
I remember thinking how cool was Jim Rockford, I had never seen a detective on TV with a sports coat, open collar shirt, and no tie!
Plus he lived at the beach! And had a cool car!
Then in college, Wiseguy was awesome, way before the Sopranos.

RIP, and thanks for the countless hours of entertainment.

Uh...I am a fan of the Renegade tv series...he was on the 'bad side' of the law, being a Police officer anyway.
I didn't know he was such a talented writer, I only discovered it now, looking at his website.