"I believed in the concept of
‘over-performing.’ I believe anyone can
achieve their goals in life if they over-perform, and that means you have to
work ten times harder than anybody you see." – Stephen J. Cannell
Cannell, born on Feb. 5, 1941, was one of television’s most successful writers and producers who
ultimately also became one of the country’s best mystery writers before his
death in 2010. Born in the
shadow of
the Hollywood hills, he grew up in Pasadena, struggled with his
education because
he was dyslexic, and ultimately learned to do “great dictation,” which
led to
his scripting more than 450 shows and producing the 1,500 separate
episodes of some 40 television series – mostly crime dramas – that he
created, including The Rockford Files, 21 Jump Street and The Commish.
Tired
of producing, he shifted over to writing mysteries in 1996 and released his
first best-selling novel, The Plan, which was followed by four more
stand-alone novels. In late 2000, he introduced character Shane Scully, a
street-wise LAPD detective who followed his instincts and played by his own
rules to catch criminals. The character was such a success that Stephen wrote 9 more best-selling Shane Scully novels.
Tired
of producing, he shifted over to writing mysteries in 1996 and released his
first best-selling novel, The Plan, which was followed by four more
stand-alone novels. In late 2000, he introduced character Shane Scully, a
street-wise LAPD detective who followed his instincts and played by his own
rules to catch criminals. The character was such a success that Stephen wrote 9 more best-selling Shane Scully novels.
Cannell participated in several wonderful “art imitating
life” segments on the show Castle, appearing as himself in poker games with the fictional writer Richard
Castle and real life writers James Patterson and Michael
Connelly. Once, Castle’s detective partner Kate Beckett joined them and “won” their poker
showdown, much to the writers’ dismay.
“Having
a support system is huge for writers,” he said.
“My parents were always encouraging and told me they were behind me,
whether or not I made it. And my wife
(his high school sweetheart Marcia) was always there for me – through
successeses and failures.” They
had been married 46 years at the time of his death.
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