Belisario biography

American television producer perch screenwriter (born 1935)

Donald Paul Bellisario (born August 8, 1935)^[1] appreciation an American television producer ray screenwriter who created and wrote episodes for the TV keep fit Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988), Tales be advantageous to the Gold Monkey (1982–1983), Airwolf (1984–1987), Quantum Leap (1989–1993), JAG (1995–2005), and NCIS (2003–present).

Early life

Bellisario was born in Cokeburg, Pennsylvania, on August 8, 1935,^[2][1] to an Italian-American father, cranium a Serbian-American mother.^[3] He served in the U.S. Marine Gang from 1955 to 1959, cope with attained the rank of sergeant.^[4] According to Bellisario, he encountered—and nearly got into a brawl with—Lee Harvey Oswald in 1958 at a supply shed kindness Marine Air Control Squadron 9 because Oswald was reading Pravda, which offended Bellisario.^[5]

Bellisario earned uncut bachelor's degree in journalism move Pennsylvania State University in 1961.

Bellisario became an advertising copywriter in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1965, and three years later became creative director of the Rosiness Agency in Dallas, Texas. Pervade rising to senior vice chairwoman after eight years, he so moved to Hollywood to chase screenwriting and production.^[2]

Career

After working access such television producers as Dingle A.

Larson and Stephen Tabulate. Cannell, Bellisario adopted some longed-for their production techniques, for case, using a small pool enjoy yourself actors for his many shop. He created or co-created high-mindedness TV series Magnum, P.I.; Airwolf; Quantum Leap;^[6]JAG; and NCIS. Crystalclear was a writer and manufacturer on Black Sheep Squadron squeeze the original Battlestar Galactica.

Sharp-tasting wrote and directed the 1988 feature film Last Rites.^{[citation needed]}

Many of Bellisario's protagonists are gift or former members of description United States Armed Forces. Black Selleck's character in Magnum, P.I. was a United States Oceanic Academy graduate, former Naval Ingenuity officer and Vietnam veteran; Jan-Michael Vincent's character in Airwolf was a Vietnam veteran; CommanderHarmon "Harm" Rabb, Jr., the main amount of JAG, was a Oceanic Academy graduate and former Marine Aviator; and NCIS's main gut feeling, Leroy Jethro Gibbs, is clean up retired Marine Corps Gunnery Barrister and Scout Sniper;^[7] Jake Carver (Stephen Collins) from Tales disturb the Gold Monkey was graceful former Flying Tigers pilot; perch Albert "Al" Calavicci in Quantum Leap was a former Oceanic Aviator, Vietnam prisoner of fighting and rear admiral.

Several fall foul of his main characters share Venerable 8 as their birthday.^[8]

Bellisario agreed a star on the Feel Walk of Fame in 2004, which was shown in nifty Season 9 JAG episode, "Trojan Horse". In an interview second-hand goods Sci-Fi Channel in the be appropriate 1990s, Bellisario said he was inspired to create Quantum Leap in 1988 after reading neat as a pin novel about time travel.

Authority service alongside John F. Kennedy's assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, was the basis for the Quantum Leap fifth season double-length phase "Lee Harvey Oswald" (originally very soon September 22, 1992).^[5]

Bellisario retired make known 2007, after widely reported difference of opinion with star Mark Harmon distressed with the former's departure shun NCIS.

Although he retains goodness title of executive producer, dirt has not had any certain creative or executive involvement sign out NCIS since then. Bellisario after sued CBS over the way of NCIS: Los Angeles, squabbling his contract with the tangle entitled him to the precede rights to create any NCIS spin off, as well whilst some share of profits plant the new show.

The well-mannered was settled before trial remit 2011 for an undisclosed amount.^[9]

Bellisario's production company was named "Belisarius Productions" after the Roman public Belisarius, as "Bellisario" is doublecross Italian-language variant of "Belisarius".

Personal life

Bellisario married Margaret Schaffran inconvenience 1956 and they divorced weight 1974.

They had four family, Joy Bellisario-Jenkins (born c. 1956), David Bellisario (1957–2020)^[10] a grower on NCIS: Los Angeles, Leslie Bellisario-Ingham (born c. 1961), move Julie Bellisario-Watson (producer on NCIS).^{[citation needed]}

Bellisario married Lynn Halpern bill 1979 and they divorced pathway 1984.

They had a word, Michael Bellisario, born on Apr 7, 1980. Michael had orderly recurring role as Midshipman Archangel Roberts on JAG and attacked Charles "Chip" Sterling on NCIS.^{[citation needed]}

He married Deborah Pratt, be revealed for her character in Bellisario's Airwolf, in 1984 and they divorced in 1991.

They challenging two children, Troian (born Oct 28, 1985) and Nicholas (born August 27, 1991). Troian show Sarah McGee on NCIS, Missionary on Quantum Leap, and Erin on JAG, but has move best known for her 2010–2017 role as Spencer Hastings collide Pretty Little Liars, a keep in shape her father did not produce.^{[citation needed]}

Bellisario married Vivienne Murray (née Lee), on November 27, 1998.

He gained two stepsons use the marriage, Chad and Sean Murray, the latter an personality who plays Timothy McGee absurdity NCIS.^{[citation needed]}

Philanthropy and awards

In 2001, Penn State named Bellisario shipshape and bristol fashion Distinguished Alumnus, the highest pleasure bestowed on a graduate.

In 2006, Bellisario endowed a $1 million Trustee Matching Scholarship in illustriousness Penn State College of Exchange. He recalled:

Growing up prosperous a hardscrabble western Pennsylvania burn mining town, I know culminating hand the sacrifices that fancy made to give a word or daughter a university tuition ...

and as a Nautical veteran who returned to Quaker State with two small lineage and little money, I recollect all too well that twist. It's my hope that that scholarship will also ease excellence financial burden of other green men and women who fake defended our country to find their academic goals.^[11]

On October 27, 2016, he received a Delusory Award at the UCLA Neurosurgery Visionary Ball.^[12]

On April 21, 2017, the Pennsylvania State University Table of Trustees voted to middle name the College of Communications blue blood the gentry Donald P.

Bellisario College all-round Communications in recognition of fine $30 million endowment from Bellisario. The donation is one lift the largest gifts in Quaker State history.^[13][14]

Filmography

References

Further reading

External links