Donald Bellisario

Photo of Donald Bellisario

Biography

I." which propelled Tom Selleck to international stardom. Bellisario started his TV career after working 14 years as the creative director of an advertising agency. Breaking in as a director of TV commercials, he soon parlayed his extensive business background into an executive post at Universal TV. However more creative opportunities beckoned. By the mid-1970s, Bellisario was writing for crime dramas such as the acclaimed "Kojak", the …
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Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Production Management

Born

Donald Paul Bellisario on August 8, 1935 in Charleroi, Pennsylvania, USA

Career Milestones

Served as an executive for Universal TV

1972

Began entertainment career as a TV commercial director

1976

Worked as a staff writer for "Switch" (CBS) starring Eddie Albert and Robert Wagner; first collaboration with producer/writer Glen Larson

1976

Worked as producer on Cannell's "Baa Baa Black Sheep/The Black Sheep Squadron" (NBC); also wrote and directed some episodes

1977

Worked as a writer on "Kojak" (CBS)

1978

Feature debut as production supervisor on "Mission Galactica: The Cylon Attack"

1978

Produced Glen Larson's cult TV series, "Battlestar Galactica" (ABC); also wrote and directed some episodes

1979

First credit as executive producer on "Quincy, M.E." (NBC) starring Jack Klugman

1980

Created (with Glen Larson), executive produced "Magnum, P.I." (CBS); also wrote and directed some episodes

1988

Feature directorial and screenwriting debut on "Last Rites," starring Tom Berenger and Daphne Zuniga

1989

Created and executive produced the adventure series, "Quantum Leap" (NBC); also wrote and directed

1995

Created and executive produced, "JAG" (NBC); first aired on NBC from 1995-1996 and later picked up by CBS for the 1996-97 season

2003

Created (with Don McGill) the procedural drama, "NCIS"; also wrote and directed some episodes

Awards

1982

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in Magnum, P.I.

1983

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in Magnum, P.I.

1984

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in Magnum, P.I.

1990

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in Quantum Leap

1991

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in Quantum Leap

1992

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in Quantum Leap