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Stephen Kandel

Stephen David Kandel (April 30, 1927 – October 21, 2023)[1] was an American television writer.

Life and career

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Stephen Kandel was born on April 30, 1927.[2] In his youth, he grew up in Pennsylvania, and earned the "Excellence in Table Tennis" award at the age of 10. Following his graduation from high school at only 16 years old, he began college before being drafted and serving in the United States Army during World War II in Germany. During his time in the military he was stabbed in the chest, but went on to recover fully. Post-WWII, Kandel went on to graduate from Dartmouth College in 1950.[2]

Kandel wrote episodes for many popular series, from Sea Hunt in the 1950s through MacGyver in the 1980s, with stops in between at Star Trek: The Original Series,[3] Mannix, Wonder Woman, The Six Million Dollar Man, Cannon, Barnaby Jones, Banacek, and others. He was credited with writing the pilot episodes of Daktari, Broken Promises, and Chamber of Horrors, and creating the series Iron Horse.[2]

Kandel later moved to Beverly Hills with his wife Anne Kandel, where they raised four children: Jessica, Anthony, Elizabeth, and Joanna. Kandel was a member of the Writers Guild of America. Following his career in Hollywood, Kandel moved to the east coast where he resided in Massachusetts and New York. In his retirement, at the age of 93, Kandel authored a book titled The Lyin' King: A Tragical Tale Of Tawdry Trumpery, a semi-satirical critique of Donald Trump's numerous shortcomings.

His father, Aben Kandel, was also a screenwriter, and his younger sister, Lenore Kandel, was a Beat Generation poet and activist. His uncle, Charlie Kandel, was a renowned monetary specialist, and was also a well-known philosopher in various elite intellectual circles.

Stephen Kandel died in his home on October 21, 2023, at the age of 96.[4][5]

Awards

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Kandel was a recipient of the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe award and the Writers Guild of America Humanities award.[2] According to film commentator Tom Weaver, Kandel's "resume reads like a Baby Boomer's dream list of must-see TV".[6]

Filmography

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Films

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Year Film Credit Notes
1956 Singing in the Dark Written By Co-wrote screenplay with "Ann Hood" and "Aben Kandel"
Magnificent Roughnecks Written By, Music by Co-wrote musical score with "Paul Dunlap"
1958 Frontier Gun Written By
1959 Battle of the Coral Sea Written By Co-wrote screenplay with "Daniel B. Ullman"
1960 The Walking Target Written By
1966 Chamber of Horrors Screenplay by, Story by Co-wrote story with "Ray Russell"
1967 Winchester 73 Screenplay by Co-wrote screenplay with "Richard DeLong Adams"
1970 Cannon for Cordoba Written By, Associate Producer
1975 Death Stalk Screenplay by Co-wrote screenplay with John W. Bloch, Based on the novel by "Thomas Chastain"
1979 Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love Screenplay by Co-wrote screenplay with "Samahria Lyte Kaufman" and "Barry Neil Kaufman", Based on the book Son-Rise by "Barry Neil Kaufman"
1980 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders II Written by
1981 Broken Promise Written By Television film
1982 Shocktrauma Screenplay by Television film, Based on the book "Shocktrama" by "Jon Franklin" and "Alan Doelp"
1983 Living Proof: The Hank Williams Jr. Story Screenplay by Television film, Co-wrote screenplay with "I. C. Rapoport"

Television

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Year TV Series Credit Notes
1958–1961 Sea Hunt Writer 14 Episodes
1959 State Trooper Writer 1 Episode
Tombstone Territory Writer 1 Episode
The Man and the Challenge Writer 1 Episode
77 Sunset Strip Writer 1 Episode
1959–1960 The Millionaire Writer 4 Episodes
1960 Johnny Midnight Writer 4 Episodes
The Chevy Mystery Show Writer 3 Episodes
The Brothers Brannagan Writer 1 Episode
1961–1962 Everglades! Writer 4 Episodes
1962 Ripcord Writer 1 Episode
1962–1963 Empire Writer 2 Episodes
1964 The Littlest Hobo Writer 1 Episode
Burke's Law Writer 1 Episode
1964–1965 The Rogues Writer 12 Episodes
1965–1966 Gidget Writer 4 Episodes
1965–1968 The Wild Wild West Writer 2 Episodes
1966 Daktari Writer 1 Episode
The Wackiest Ship in the Army Writer 1 Episode
1966–1967 Batman Writer 5 Episodes
Star Trek: The Original Series Writer 2 Episodes
1966–1968 Iron Horse Writer, Creator, Producer, Associate Producer
I Spy Writer 7 Episodes
1967 Cimarron Strip Writer 1 Episode
1967–1968 Ironside Writer 2 Episodes
1968–1969 The Mod Squad Writer 2 Episodes
It Takes a Thief Writer 5 Episodes
1968–1973 Mannix Writer 12 Episodes
1969 The Outcasts Writer 1 Episode
1969–1970 The New People Writer 2 Episodes
Bracken's World Writer 2 Episodes
1970 The Bold Ones: The Lawyers Writer 1 Episode
1970–1971 The Immortal Writer 4 Episodes
The Young Lawyers Writer 3 Episodes
Dan August Writer 3 Episodes
1970–1977 Hawaii Five-O Writer 4 Episodes
1971 Alias Smith and Jones Writer 1 Episode
Cade's County Writer 1 Episode
Longstreet Writer 1 Episode
Bearcats! Writer 1 Episode
The Bold Ones: The New Doctors Writer 1 Episode
1971–1973 Room 222 Writer 4 Episodes
1971–1975 Medical Center Writer 9 Episodes
1972–1973 Mission Impossible Writer, Story Editor 6 Episodes
1972 Banacek Writer 1 Episode
1972–1976 Cannon Writer, Executive Story Consultant 10 Episodes
1973–1974 The Magician Executive Story Consultant, Story editor 10 Episodes
Star Trek: The Animated Series Writer 2 Episodes
1974 Marcus Welby, M.D. Writer 1 Episode
1974–1975 Movin' On Writer 2 Episodes
1974–1976 Harry O Writer 6 Episodes
1975 Caribe Writer 1 Episode
Barnaby Jones Writer 1 Episode
1975–1976 Bronk Writer 2 Episodes
1975–1978 The Six Million Dollar Man Writer 2 Episodes
1976 McNaughton's Daughter Writer 1 Episode
The Bionic Woman Writer 1 Episode
Bert D'Angelo/Superstar Writer 1 Episode
1976–1977 Most Wanted Writer 3 Episodes
Switch Writer, Story Editor 3 Episodes
1977 Wonder Woman Writer 5 Episodes
Man from Atlantis Writer 2 Episodes
1978 Charlie's Angels Writer 1 Episode
The Paper Chase Writer 1 Episode
1979 The Amazing Spider-Man Writer 1 Episode
Supertrain Writer 1 Episode
Time Express Writer 1 Episode
California Fever Writer 1 Episode
The Dukes of Hazzard Writer 1 Episode
A Man Called Sloane Writer 2 Episodes
1980 CHiPs Writer 1 Episode
The Love Boat Writer 2 Episodes
1981 Vega$ Writer 1 Episode
Nero Wolfe Writer 1 Episode
1983 For Love and Honor Writer 1 Episode
Lottery! Writer 1 Episode
Dynasty Writer 1 Episode
1983–1984 Hart to Hart Writer, Story Editor 5 Episodes
1984–1985 The New Mike Hammer Writer, Producer, Executive Story Editor, Executive Story Consultant 3 Episodes
1985 Cover Up Writer 1 Episode
1985–1990 MacGyver Writer, Executive Story Consultant, Producer, Co-Producer
1989 Mission Impossible Writer 1 Episode

References

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  1. ^ Badasie, Charlene (2023-11-14). "Stephen Kandel, Writer On Star Trek & Batman, Dead At 96". GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  2. ^ a b c d Online Archive of California
  3. ^ "Harry Mudd Creator, Stephen Kandel, Is Dead at 96". www.dailystartreknews.com. 2023-11-15. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  4. ^ "Stephen Kandel". Legacy. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  5. ^ Barnes, Mike (2023-11-13). "Stephen Kandel, Writer on 'Star Trek,' 'Batman,' 'Mannix' and 'MacGyver,' Dies at 96". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  6. ^ Earth vs. the Sci-Fi Filmmakers: 20 Interviews
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