Glen A. Larson dies at 77; TV producer created ‘Magnum, P.I.,’ others

Television producer and writer Glen A. Larson, who was responsible for some of the biggest series of the 1970s and 1980s -- including “Magnum, P.I.” and “Battlestar Galactica” -- died Friday at UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica. He was 77.

He died of complications from esophageal cancer, said his son, James Larson.

Glen Larson started in the business in the 1950s as a singer in the group the Four Preps, who appeared in a Gidget film and won three gold records.

But it was behind the camera that Larson found huge success. His first credit as a writer came in 1966 on an episode of “The Fugitive.” His first in a long list of hits as a producer began with episodes of “It Takes a Thief.”

His producing credits also included “Quincy, M.E.,” Knight Rider” and “B.J. and the Bear.”

A full obituary will appear later at latimes.com/obits.