About Stephen J. Cannell
Stephen J. Cannell is the bestselling author of fifteen novels, including the critically acclaimed Shane Scully series, which includes On the Grind, Three Shirt Deal, White Sister, Cold Hit, Vertical Coffin, Hollywood Tough, The Viking Funeral, and The Tin Collectors. The newest installment, The Pallbearers will be published by St. Martin's Press in March, 2010.
In addition, Cannell is the author of Runaway Heart, The Devil's Workshop, Riding the Snake, King Con, Final Victim, and The Plan. His latest stand alone novel At First Sight:A Novel of Obsession was released in July, 2008.
An Emmy award-winning writer/producer and Chairman of Cannell Studios, Cannell overcame severe dyslexia to become one of television's most prolific writers. In a highly successful career that spans three decades, he has created or co-created more than 40 shows, of which he has scripted more than 450 episodes and produced or executive produced more than 1,500 episodes. His hits include The Rockford Files, Greatest American Hero, The A-Team, Hunter, Riptide, Hardcastle & McCormick, 21 Jump Street, Wiseguy, The Commish, Profit, and the hit syndicated shows, Renegade and Silk Stalkings.
During the past few years, Cannell has received numerous awards, including the Saturn Award - Life Career Award (2004), The Marlow Lifetime Achievement Award from Mystery Writers of America (2005), and the WGA Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement (2006), the NAPTE Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award (2007) and the 2008 Final Draft Hall of Fame Award which recognizes entertainment industry luminaries who foster the art of screenwriting and nurture and inspire the creative process.
An unstoppable creative force, Cannell is also a savvy businessman. In 1979, Cannell formed his own independent production company, Stephen J. Cannell Productions, in order to achieve creative control over material he was writing and producing. Seven years later, he formed The Cannell Studios to oversee all aspects of the organization's operations. Having surpassed the $1 billion mark in production outlays, the studio experienced remarkable growth and diversification in such areas as production (films, mini-series, commercials), merchandising, and first-run/off-network programming. Cannell still owns the worldwide distribution rights to more than 1,000 hours of Cannell-produced series and TV movies.
Cannell Studios is currently producing a series of independent films including The Poker House directed by actress Lori Petty which debuted at the Los Angeles Film Festival in 2009. Other projects in development include feature films of 21 Jump Street and The Greatest American Hero. The A-Team is currently filming and stars Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Sharlto Copley and Jessica Biel and will be released in 2010.
Cannell is an avid spokesperson on Dyslexia, and is a third generation Californian who currently resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife, Marcia, and their three children.