[Deathwatch] Roy Huggins, Television Producer, 87

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

April 5, 2002 Posted: 3:48 PM EST (2048 GMT)

http://www.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/News/04/05/showbuzz/index.html#5

Writer-producer Roy Huggins dead

HOLLYWOOD, California (Reuters) -- Roy Huggins, acclaimed writer,
creator and producer of numerous TV series and a pioneer of prime-time
drama credited with moving television into filmed episodes, died
Wednesday April 3 of natural causes in Santa Monica, California,
Variety reports. He was 87. 

Among Huggins' most memorable television series -- which often featured
anti-heroes and atypical characters -- were "The Fugitive," starring
David Janssen, as well as "The Rockford Files" and "Maverick," both
starring James Garner. 

Huggins joined Warner Bros. in its early efforts to get into the
booming television business, which at the time was entirely
live-to-air. Huggins is often credited as the "father of filmed
television," with such pioneering series as "Cheyenne," "Colt 45," "77
Sunset Strip" and a number of other highly successful detective series.


In 1962, he joined Universal Television in what would become a dynamic
alliance lasting more than 15 years. He served as executive producer on
the TV series "The Virginian" in its first year and launched it on a
nine-year run. Huggins was the creative force behind many more series
including "Run For Your Life," starring Ben Gazzara, and "Alias Smith
and Jones." 

Also praised as a mentor to many, he formed an association with
talented young writer-producer Stephen Cannell while at Universal. This
led to their co-creating and producing both "The Rockford Files" and
"Baretta," starring Robert Blake. In the summer of 1985, Cannell
brought Huggins out of retirement to take over a new series, "Hunter,"
and yet another success resulted. 

During Huggins' 50-year career in the entertainment industry, he
authored some 350 scripts for television and film, many of which were
credited under the pseudonym "John Thomas James" after the names of
three of his sons. 

He was a chancellor's associate and longtime supporter of television
and film studies at UCLA. 

Huggins is survived by his wife of 50 years, former actress Adele Mara;
their three sons; a son and daughter from his first marriage; and
numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

The Associated Press & Reuters contributed to this report.