Dallas creator David Jacobs has died aged 84.
His son Aaron Jacobs confirmed that his father passed away on August 20 at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burback, California following complications from Alzheimer’s.
“He had Alzheimer’s for many years, and recently he had recurring infections that led to his death,” Aaron Jacobs told Deadline on Tuesday (August 23).
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David is best known for creating Dallas, a giant American TV soap with 14 seasons and over 350 episodes between 1978 and 1991 – the soap was among history’s longest-running live-action primetime dramas.
His other show, Knots Landing, wasn’t far behind, airing for the same number of seasons but with 344 episodes.
(Image: WireImage)
The former started as a miniseries in April 1978, being broken into five parts.
It then ran through May 1991, garnering a first-place Nielsen rating for its fourth, fifth and seventh seasons.
“Knots Landing” began in December 1979 and ran most Thursday nights until wrapping up in May 1993.
In a 2008 interview for the TV Academy Foundation, he noted that he created Knots Landing before Dallas, but it was pitched and produced after that series.
(Image: Lorimar/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
He also said Dallas was created around actress Linda Evans, who later would star in ABC’s rival primetime soap Dynasty.
David remained a creative consultant on Dallas throughout its run but gave up his day-to-day duties on the show after season two as he focused on creating another hit.
Jacobs’ film journey began after he worked as a story editor for ABC’s drama “Family,” a five-season series that first aired in 1976. That secured him a deal with Lorimar Productions, an American production company that later folded into Warner Bros.
(Image: WireImage)
He went on to create, produce and write for series, miniseries and TV movies in the 1980s and ’90s, including Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Four Corners, Paradise, Lace and Bodies of Evidence. Among the most successful was Homefront,
Along with son Aaron, David is survived by his wife, Diane; his daughter, Molly Jacobs; Albyn Hall, his daughter from a previous marriage; along with several grandchildren.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
