Dallas creator David Jacobs dies aged 84: The author behind legendary soaps like Knots Landing battled Alzheimer’s and died from complications from a series of infections, his son said
Dallas creator David Jacobs dies aged 84: The author behind legendary soaps like Knots Landing battled Alzheimer’s and died from complications from a series of infections, his son said
- The writer died in California on Sunday afternoon at the age of 84
The creator of Knots Landing, Dallas and Paradise has died at the age of 84 after a year-long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
David Jacobs died Sunday afternoon in Burbank, California, at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center, his son announced.
While the showrunner and writer suffered from Alzheimer’s for several years, his son Aaron said a series of infections led to his death.
Aaron told Deadline, “He had Alzheimer’s for many years and recently he had recurrent infections that led to his death.”
He added that David only celebrated his 84th birthday eight days before his death.
Jacobs is credited with changing American television forever, as his shows were a staple in almost every US household by the 1980s.
Dallas, which aired for 14 seasons and had 357 episodes, was the longest-running television show at the time.
The show celebrated its 45th anniversary this year.
“Knots Landing,” a Dallas spin-off he also directed, ran almost as long at 344 episodes.
He also served as executive producer on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Homefront, for which he was nominated for two Emmys.
David is survived by his children Aaron and Molly; his wife Diana; Albyn Hall, his daughter from his previous marriage to Lynne Oliansky; and his two grandchildren, Riley and Georgia.
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