E. Duke Vincent.Photo:L. Cohen/WireImage
L. Cohen/WireImage
E. Duke Vincent, an Emmy-winning producer of shows likeDynastyandBeverly Hills, 90210,is dead. He was 91.
“With profound sorrow I inform you of the passing of my beloved and brilliant husband, E. Duke Vincent, a legendary Blue Angel, an Emmy award-winning television producer and writer, and an accomplished novelist,” the obituary began.
E.Duke Vincent and Aaron Spelling with their loved ones.Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty
Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty
Before starting a career in the entertainment industry, Vincent pursued his dreams in aviation. He joined the U.S. Navy after graduating from Seton Hall University and was a member of the Blue Angels for the 60-61 seasons.
He fell in love with television after filming the photo sequences for the NBC show of the same name (The Blue Angels) and resigned from the Navy in 1962.
Alongside writer Arnie Kane, he wrote and produced seven one-hour documentaries calledMan In Space. He worked with Danny Thomas and Sheldon Leonard, the executive producers ofThe Dick Van Dyke Show,onGood Morning World, and began getting more television production roles.
After writing and producing the television filmsPanacheandThe Imposter, he met Aaron Spelling, and the two began working together in 1978.
E. Duke Vincent and Aaron Spelling.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
They also created seven miniseries' and 39 made-for-television films, including the Emmy-winningAnd the Band Played On.
Vincent also used his writing skills to pen four novels —Mafia Summer,Black Widow,The Strip, andThe Camelot Conspiracy.
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“During his 40-year Hollywood career, Duke wrote or produced over 2300 hours of film and tape, including 1600 hours of prime-time and over 750 hours of daytime television. His titles when he retired were Executive Producer and Vice Chairman of Spelling Television,” his wife wrote in his obituary.
source: people.com
