TV creator David Jacobs, best known as the brains behind “Dallas” and spinoff “Knots Landing,” died on Sunday in Burbank, California. He was 84.
The Baltimore-born writer-producer passed away just days after his Aug. 12 birthday. Son Aaron Jacobs confirmed the news to multiple outlets.
“He had Alzheimer’s for many years, and recently he had recurring infections that led to his death,” the younger Jacobs told Deadline Tuesday.
A nonfiction writer-turned-television mastermind, Jacobs’ small screen career started in 1977 when he penned episodes of “Kingston: Confidential” and “Family.”
“Dallas” debuted the following year, spanning 14 seasons and 356 episodes — several of which were written by Jacobs.
The CBS prime-time soap opera scored more than a dozen Emmy nominations and four wins over the course of its run, which ended in 1991. The “Dallas” phenomenon also spawned the spinoff “Knots Landing,” multiple made-for-TV movies, and a 2010s reboot.
Much like its predecessor, “Knots Landing” — which debuted in 1979 and ended in 1993 — ran for 14 seasons and led to other iterations, including a TV special, miniseries and TV movie.
Jacobs also created and produced the shorter-lived CBS series “Paradise” and “Married: The First Year.”
Among the titles Jacobs helped bring to life are “Bodies of Evidence,” which starred George Clooney, and “Homefront,” with Kyle Chandler in the lead role.
Despite the lasting legacy of his works, Jacobs only ever garnered Emmy nominations for “Homefront.” The pilot episode of the post-World War II series was nominated in 1992 for outstanding made-for-television movie. The show was nominated again the following year for outstanding drama series.
Jacobs is survived by his wife of 46 years, Diane, as well as their two children, Aaron and Molly. He also leaves behind eldest daughter Albyn Hall — from his first marriage to producer Lynn Pleshette — and two grandchildren.
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