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Stephen J. Cannell

Stephen Joseph Cannell created or co-created nearly 40 television series, mostly crime dramas. In the process, he had by his own count, scripted more than 450 episodes, and produced or executive produced over 1,500 episodes. Most memorable to viewers of his shows was him seated at a typewriter, typing something onto a piece of paper, then pulling the sheet of paper from the typewriter, throwing the paper into the air which floated down turning into his logo. In the background, we see a shelf containing his awards. The author of over fifteen books, his last novel "The Prostitutes' Ball" was released in October 2010. Having overcome severe dyslexia, Cannell was an avid spokesperson on the condition and an advocate for children and adults with learning disabilities.


Aliases
  • Stephen Cannell
  • Stephen J Cannell
English

Charley Hannah

1986
as Roscoe Tanner

Threshold

2003
as Pacheco Laval

The Contract

2002
as William Goodwin

Half Past Dead

2002
as Frank Hubbard

Dead Above Ground

2002
as Carl Hadden

Ice Spiders

2007
as Frank Stone

Renegade

1992
as Marshal Donald 'Dutch' Dixon

Identity Crisis

1989
as The Coroner

Dislecksia: The Movie

2012
as Stephen J. Cannell

Shadow Company

2006
as Stephen J. Cannell

Director

Episode The Rockford Files
Gearjammers (1)
1975
Episode Tenspeed and Brown Shoe
This One's Gonna Kill Ya
1980
Episode The Rockford Files
Gearjammers (2)
1975
Episode The Rockford Files
Beamer's Last Case
1977
Episode Stone
Case Number HM-89428, Homicide
1980
Episode The Rockford Files
Paradise Cove
1979
Episode The Rockford Files
The Jersey Bounce
1978
Episode The Rockford Files
White on White and Nearly Perfect
1978

Writer

Movie 21 Jump Street 2012
Movie The A-Team 2010
Episode The Rockford Files
There's One in Every Port
1977
Episode Tenspeed and Brown Shoe
Savage Says, 'There's No Free Lunch'
1980
Episode Stingray (1985)
Stingray
1985
Episode The Rockford Files
Sleight of Hand
1975
Episode The A-Team
The Taxicab Wars
1983
Episode Adam-12
The Princess and the Pig
1972
Episode J.J. Starbuck
Gold From The Rainbow
1987
Episode Tenspeed and Brown Shoe
The Millionaire's Life
1980
Episode The Commish
A Matter of Life or Death (1)
1991
Episode Hardcastle and McCormick
The Long Ago Girl
1985
Episode Adam-12
Badge Heavy
1972
Movie It Waits 2005
Episode Stingray (1985)
Ancient Eyes
1986
Episode Tenspeed and Brown Shoe
Loose Larry's List of Losers
1980
Episode Ironside
The Riddle in Room Six
1971
Episode Stingray (1985)
Cry Wolf
1987
Episode Wiseguy
Independent Operator
1987
Episode The A-Team
Waiting for Insane Wayne
1986
Episode Hunter
Hard Contract
1984
Episode Tenspeed and Brown Shoe
This One's Gonna Kill Ya
1980
Episode The A-Team
The Bells of St. Mary's
1984
Episode Tenspeed and Brown Shoe
Untitled
1980
Episode The Greatest American Hero
Captain Bellybuster and the Speed Factory
1982
Episode The Rockford Files
The No-Cut Contract
1976
Movie Hunter: Return to Justice 2002
Episode Wiseguy
Fascination for the Flame
1988
Episode The Rockford Files
The Empty Frame
1978
Episode Adam-12
The Surprise
1972
Episode The Commish
A Matter of Life or Death (2)
1991
Episode The Rockford Files
A Portrait of Elizabeth
1976
Episode Stone
What Do You People Want from Me?
1980
Episode The A-Team
The Bend in the River (1)
1984
Movie The Jordan Chance 1978
Episode Toma
The Cain Connection
1973
Episode The Rockford Files
Dwarf in a Helium Hat
1978
Episode Riptide (1984)
Conflict of Interest
1984
Episode The Greatest American Hero
The Price is Right
1982
Episode The A-Team
Dishpan Man (1)
1986
Episode Hunter
The Hot Grounder
1984
Episode The Rockford Files
Tall Woman in Red Wagon
1974
Episode The A-Team
West Coast Turnaround
1983
Episode Adam-12
Ambush
1971
Episode Toma
The Oberon Contract
1973
Episode Hardcastle and McCormick
The Birthday Present
1985
Movie Greyhounds 1994
Episode The Greatest American Hero
The Best Desk Scenario
1981
Episode The Rockford Files
Nice Guys Finish Dead
1979
Movie The November Plan 1977
Episode Tenspeed and Brown Shoe
Savage Says, 'The Most Dangerous Bird is the Jailbird'
1980
Episode The Rousters
Pilot
1970
Episode The A-Team
The Bend in the River (2)
1984
Episode The Rockford Files
This Case is Closed (1)
1974
Episode Adam-12
Mary Hong Loves Tommy Chen
1972
Episode The Rousters
The Marshal of Sladetown
1983
Episode Riptide (1984)
#1 With a Bullet
1984
Episode Hardcastle and McCormick
The Career Breaker
1985
Episode The Rockford Files
This Case is Closed (2)
1974
Episode Booker
The Pump
1989
Episode Stingray (1985)
Bring Me the Hand That Hit Me
1987
Episode The Rockford Files
The Real Easy Red Dog
1975
Movie Nightside 1980
Episode Adam-12
Clear with a Civilian (1)
1973
Episode Adam-12
Back-Up One L-20
1972
Episode The Rockford Files
Claire
1975
Episode Ironside
This Could Blow Your Mind
1970
Episode Black Sheep Squadron
The Fastest Gun
1977
Episode Adam-12
Clear with a Civilian (2)
1973
Episode Silk Stalkings
Pilot
1991
Episode The Rockford Files
The Prisoner of Rosemont Hall
1978
Episode Riptide (1984)
The Bargain Department
1985
Episode The Greatest American Hero
The Greatest American Hero
1981
Episode The A-Team
Unknown
1970
Episode Silk Stalkings
Going to Babylon
1991
Episode The Rockford Files
The Hawaiian Headache
1979
Episode The Last Precinct
The Last Precinct
1986
Episode The Rockford Files
Resurrection in Black & White
1975
Episode Silk Stalkings
Runway Strip
1996
Episode The Rockford Files
Backlash of the Hunter (1)
1974
Episode Black Sheep Squadron
The 200 Pound Gorilla
1977
Movie The Rockford Files: Friends and Foul Play 1996
Episode The Greatest American Hero
The Hit Car
1981
Episode The Rockford Files
Just Another Polish Wedding
1977
Episode The Rockford Files
The Return of the Black Shadow
1979
Episode The A-Team
The Big Squeeze
1985
Episode The Rockford Files
The House on Willis Avenue (1)
1978
Episode Adam-12
The Wednesday Warrior
1972
Episode Adam-12
Killing Ground
1973
Episode The A-Team
Where Is the Monster When You Need Him?
1985
Episode Black Sheep Squadron
Flying Misfits - Pilot
1976
Episode The Greatest American Hero
Saturday on Sunset Boulevard
1981
Episode Black Sheep Squadron
Best Three Out of Five
1976
Episode Stingray (1985)
Sometimes You Gotta Sing the Blues
1986
Episode The A-Team
Mind Games
1985
Episode The Rockford Files
Foul on the First Play
1976
Episode The Rockford Files
In Pursuit of Carol Thorne
1974
Episode Adam-12
The Sniper (1) (concl on The D.A., 8 Oct 71) aka The Radical
1971
Episode Broken Badges
Pilot (1)
1990
Episode The Greatest American Hero
Desperado
1983
Episode The Rockford Files
Beamer's Last Case
1977
Episode Silk Stalkings
The Sock Drawer
1992
Episode Black Sheep Squadron
Devil in the Slot
1977
Episode The Rockford Files
The House on Willis Avenue (2)
1978
Episode The Greatest American Hero
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
1981
Episode Stone
Case Number HM-89428, Homicide
1980
Episode Adam-12
The Search
1971
Episode Riptide (1984)
The Mean Green Love Machine
1984
Episode The Rockford Files
Heartaches of a Fool
1978
Episode The A-Team
Mexican Slayride
1983
Episode Adam-12
The Late Baby
1972
Episode The Rockford Files
Chicken Little is a Little Chicken
1975
Episode Riptide (1984)
Pilot (1)
1984
Episode Black Sheep Squadron
Forbidden Fruit
1978
Episode The Rockford Files
Paradise Cove
1979
Episode Broken Badges
Pilot (2)
1990
Episode Adam-12
The Ferret
1971
Episode Wiseguy
Pilot (1)
1987
Episode Riptide (1984)
The Orange Grove
1984
Episode Black Sheep Squadron
Fighting Angels
1978
Episode The Greatest American Hero
Don't Mess Around with Jim
1981
Episode Stingray (1985)
The Greeter
1987
Episode Richie Brockelman: Private Eye
A Title on the Door and a Carpet on the Floor
1978
Episode Wiseguy
Pilot (2)
1987
Episode The Rockford Files
The Kirkoff Case
1974
Episode The Greatest American Hero
Hog Wild
1981
Episode Jigsaw
Kiss the Dream Goodbye
1973
Episode Toma
Crime Without Victim
1973
Episode Columbo
Double Exposure
1973
Episode The A-Team
Children of Jamestown
1983
Episode Riptide (1984)
Beat the Box
1984
Episode The Greatest American Hero
The Greatest American Heroine
1986
Episode The A-Team
Recipe for Heavy Bread
1983
Episode The Rockford Files
2 into 5.56 Won't Go
1975
Episode The Rockford Files
Profit and Loss (1)
1974
Episode Stone
Just a Little Blow Between Friends
1980
Episode Hardcastle and McCormick
Rolling Thunder (1)
1983
Episode Riptide (1984)
Be True to Your School
1984
Episode The Rockford Files
The Aaron Ironwood School of Success
1975
Episode Hardcastle and McCormick
One of the Girls from Accounting
1984
Episode Silk Stalkings
Three Weeks Of the Condor
1997
Episode Wiseguy
The Loose Cannon
1987
Episode Hardcastle and McCormick
Man in a Glass House
1983
Episode Booker
All You Gotta Do is Do It
1989
Episode The Commish
Do You See What I See?
1991
Movie The Gypsy Warriors 1978
Episode The Rockford Files
White on White and Nearly Perfect
1978
Episode The Rockford Files
Profit and Loss (2)
1974
Movie The Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise 1995
Episode Black Sheep Squadron
The Meatball Circus
1976
Movie Thunderboat Row 1989
Episode Black Sheep Squadron
Up for Grabs
1976
Episode The A-Team
Cowboy George
1986
Episode The Greatest American Hero
The Hand-Painted Thai
1982
Episode J.J. Starbuck
Starbuck (Pilot)
1987
Episode The Rockford Files
The Reincarnation of Angie
1975
Episode The A-Team
Pros and Cons
1983
Episode Hardcastle and McCormick
The Black Widow
1983
Movie Dr. Scorpion 1978
Episode The Greatest American Hero
Just Another Three-Ring Circus
1982
Episode J.J. Starbuck
A Killing in the Market
1987
Episode The Rockford Files
Feeding Frenzy
1976
Episode The Greatest American Hero
The Shock Will Kill You
1982
Episode Booker
Booker
1989
Episode The Rockford Files
The Countess
1974
Movie Hunter: Back in Force 2003
Episode J.J. Starbuck
Permanent Hiatus
1988
Episode Renegade
Pilot / Renegade
1992
Episode Black Sheep Squadron
Trouble at Fort Apache
1977
Episode Unsub
White Bone Demon
1989
Episode Riptide (1984)
Pilot (2)
1984
Episode Stingray (1985)
Orange Blossom
1986
Episode J.J. Starbuck
Incident At Sam September
1987
Episode Renegade
Hunting Accident
1992
Episode The Rockford Files
Drought at Indianhead River
1976
Episode J.J. Starbuck
A Song From The Sequel
1988
Episode The Rockford Files
The Attractive Nuisance
1978
Movie The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads 1999
Episode The Greatest American Hero
Dreams
1982
Episode Broken Badges
Chucky
1990
Episode Tenspeed and Brown Shoe
Tenspeed and Brown Shoe (1)
1980
Episode J.J. Starbuck
Cactus Jack's Last Call
1988
Episode Tenspeed and Brown Shoe
Tenspeed and Brown Shoe (2)
1980
Episode Tenspeed and Brown Shoe
The Robin Tucker's Roseland Roof and Ballroom Murder
1980

Creator

Series The A-Team 1983
Series Riptide (1984) 1984
Series The Greatest American Hero 1981
Series J.J. Starbuck 1987
Series Sonny Spoon 1988
Series Booker 1989
Series Wiseguy 1987
Series The 100 Lives of Black Jack Savage 1991
Series Broken Badges 1990
Series Scene of the Crime 1991
Series Palace Guard 1991
Series The Hat Squad 1992
Series Cobra 1993
Series Marker 1995
Series The Commish 1991
Series Renegade 1992
Series Silk Stalkings 1991
Series Chase 1973
Series City of Angels (1976) 1976
Series Black Sheep Squadron 1976
Series Richie Brockelman: Private Eye 1978
Series Baretta 1975
Series Tenspeed and Brown Shoe 1980
Series The Rousters 1983
Series Stingray (1985) 1986
Series Hardcastle and McCormick 1983
Series The Last Precinct 1986

Executive Producer

Series Growing Up With Hello Kitty

Producer

Movie 21 Jump Street 2012
Movie 22 Jump Street 2014
Movie The A-Team 2010
Movie A Child Is Missing 1995
Movie It Waits 2005
Movie Hunter: Return to Justice 2002
Movie The Garden 2006
Movie Nightside 1980
Movie The Rockford Files: Friends and Foul Play 1996
Movie Dead Above Ground 2002
Movie Demon Hunter 2005
Movie Jake Lassiter: Justice on the Bayou 1995
Movie The Gypsy Warriors 1978
Movie Dr. Scorpion 1978
Movie The Poker House 2008
Movie Toma 1973
Movie Them 1996

Crew

Movie Nightside 1980

Guest Star

Episode Castle (2009)
A Deadly Game
2010
Episode Emergency!
Ambush (Adam-12 Episode on Emergency: Hang-Up!)
1972
Episode E! True Hollywood Story
Mr. T
1999
Episode Pacific Blue
Reckoning (2)
1999
Episode Diagnosis Murder
Must Kill TV
1997
Episode Castle (2009)
Flowers for Your Grave
2009
Episode The Dick Cavett Show
Stephen J. Cannell
1995
Episode Pacific Blue
Disrobed
2000
Episode Adam-12
Ambush
1971
Episode Army Wives
Thicker Than Water
2008
Episode Castle (2009)
Deep in Death
2009