Battlestar Galactica Creator Glen A. Larson Dies at 77
On November 14th, the television realm lost one of its pioneers. Glen A. Larson, creator of Battlestar Galactica, died from esophageal cancer in Santa Monica. He was 77 years old.
Larson seemed to have all the creative talent. His start in the entertainment business began in the 1950s when he found success as a singer in The Four Preps. He would go on to compose some of the theme music for series he created. After feeding his musical aspirations he dove into the world of writing and producing. Larson was involved in developing the series The Six Million Dollar Man starring Lee Majors, which is being reimagined and will star Mark Wahlberg. He created some of the most iconic series in television like Magnum P.I., Quincy M.E, and The Fall Guy, and his contribution to science fiction should be noted.
Larson took ideas from Mormon theology and developed a concept that would become Battlestar Galactica. The show was cancelled after 24 episodes, but it found popularity and new life when it was remade in 2003.
The science fiction series Knight Rider was also Larson’s brainchild. The show starred David Hasselhoff and ran from 1982 to 1986.
His success did not come without controversy, though. Larson was frequently accused of stealing concepts and ideas for his own benefit. In fact, in 1978, Fox, the studio that produced Star Wars, sued Battlestar Galactica’s Universal for infringing on copyrights. The suit however, was ruled in Universal’s favor. Writer Harlan Ellison referred to Larson as “Glen Larceny” in his book Harlan Ellison’s The City on the Edge of Forever. Ellison said that Larson took concepts intended for movies and used them in his own television shows.
Despite controversy, Larson and his contributions are respected and appreciated. His work has inspired others and will continue to influence for years to come.
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