Ellis Marcus; Television Writer

Ellis Marcus, 72, a veteran television episodic writer who contributed to such popular series as “Highway Patrol,” “Ben Casey” and “Mission: Impossible.” He launched his career in the late 1940s, writing for live television shows in New York that were directed by his brother. Over the years he wrote hundreds of episodes, mainly for action/adventure shows, before working as an executive producer at CBS-TV from 1966 to 1977. He and his wife, Ann Marcus, later created, wrote and produced a late-night syndicated comedy show called “The Life And Times of Eddie Roberts.” In the late 1980s, Marcus served on the board of governors of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In Encino on Saturday of a heart attack.