Stephen J. Cannell Stephen Joseph Cannell ( ; February 5 , 1941 -- September 30 , 2010 ) was an American television producer , writer , novelist and occasional actor , and the founder of Cannell Entertainment ( formerly Stephen J. Cannell Productions ) and The Cannell Studios .
Stephen J. Cannell Stephen Joseph Cannell ( February 5 , 1941 -- September 30 , 2010 ) was an American television producer , writer , author , and occasional actor , and the founder of Stephen J. Cannell Productions .