Michael Gleason, Co-Creator of ‘Remington Steele,’ Dies at 78
Variety
By Alex Stedman
October 24, 2016
Michael Gleason, who co-created “Remington Steele,” the series that shot Pierce Brosnan into the spotlight, died last Friday. He was 78.
The news was announced on Gleason’s Facebook page over the weekend. A source also confirmed the news to Variety.
Gleason is best known for his work on NBC’s “Remington Steele,” which he co-created with Robert Butler and ran from 1982 to 1987. Gleason also served as a producer and writer on the show. The series followed a detective, played by Stephanie Zimbalist, who ends up partnering with a former thief, Remington Steele (Brosnan). After the show, Brosnan’s career took off, as he became the fifth actor to play James Bond in 1994.
Gleason got his start as a writer in 1962, working on westerns such as “Rawhide,” “Laramie,” and “The Big Valley.” In 1965, he began writing for ABC soap opera “Peyton’s Place,” and would go on to rack up dozens of writing credits on the show up until 1968.
His other writing credits include stints on “Cannon,” “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” “Nash Bridges,” and “Lois and Clark.” In 2013, Gleason released his literary debut, “Working Dirty,” which follows fictional disgraced ex-cop Nick Fallon, who must find a killer inside the prison he’s currently serving time in.
Funeral plans have not yet been announced.
GLEASON, Michael
Born: 1938, U.S.A.
Died: 10/21/2016, Marina del Rey, California, U.S.A.
Michael Gleason’s westerns – producer, writer:
Laramie (TV) – 1962 [writer]
Rawhide (TV) – 1962 [writer]
The Big Valley (TV) – 1967 [writer]
Cade’s County (TV) – 1972 [writer]
The Oregon Trail (TV) – 1977 [producer, writer]