
Frank Lupo, the partner of Stephen J. Cannell on many popular 1980s action shows, died Feb. 18 at the Villages in Florida, according to his sister and social media. He was 66 and died from cardiac arrest.
Lupo was part of the creative engine that served up the crime drama television shows The A-Team, Hunter and Wiseguy. He was also a writer and executive producer on the first season of CBS’ Walker, Texas Ranger.
Born on January 22, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York, Lupo met Cannell at Universal Television in Los Angeles. He began as a writer, penning episodes of ABC’s Battlestar Galactica and NBC’s B.J. and the Bear before joining forces with Cannell in 1981 on the ABC series The Greatest American Hero.
Lupo and Cannell went on to create NBC’s The A-Team in 1983, NBC’s Hunter in 1984, NBC’s Riptide, which began in 1984, and CBS’ Wiseguy in 1987.
They also missed on the Adam West vehicle The Last Precinct, the only sitcom from Stephen J. Cannell Productions.
Lupo’s resume included writing and producing for Stingray at NBC, CBS’ Magnum, P.I. and NBC’s The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo.
He also created the series Raven at CBS and Werewolf at Fox.
Survivors include his wife, Angel; his sisters, Ann and Linda Joy Sullivan; brother-in-law Allen, and nieces Gina and Joanne.
Donations in his name may be made to the City of Hope or the Wounded Warrior Project.
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