William Blinn | |
|---|---|
| Born | William Frederick Blinn[1] (1937-07-21)July 21, 1937 |
| Died | October 22, 2020(2020-10-22) (aged 83) Burbank, California, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Screenwriter,television producer |
William Frederick Blinn[1] (July 21, 1937 – October 22, 2020) was an Americanscreenwriter andtelevision producer.
Blinn was born inToledo, Ohio, the son of Clare Allen and Pearl Ariel (Schaeffer) Blinn.[2] Blinn began his career in television in the 1960s. As a screenwriter, Blinn wrote episodes ofRawhide,Gunsmoke,The Rookies,Here Come the Brides, andShane (where he was also story editor),[3] andFame (where he also served asexecutive producer).[4] In 1971, Blinn wrote the screenplay for thetelevision movieBrian's Song for which he won anEmmy andPeabody Award. He won a second Emmy in 1977 for his work on theminiseriesRoots. Blinn also created two series for producing mogulAaron Spelling:Starsky & Hutch (Blinn later produced the 2004 filmof the same name);[1] and the less-successfulHeaven Help Us, which co-starredRicardo Montalbán, known for his role inFantasy Island. He was the executive producer of the 1974ABC seriesThe New Land, and he created the short-lived 1977CBSespionage seriesHunter and wrote its unaired 1976 pilot. He was also a writer for the 1996 Hallmark Television filmThe Boys Next Door based onthe play of the same name. His other series wereEight Is Enough,Our House andFame.
In addition to screenwriting (which includesPurple Rain), Blinn also produced several television series and television movies includingAaron's Way,Polly: Comin' Home!, andPensacola: Wings of Gold.[1]
Blinn died on October 22, 2020, from natural causes at a retirement home inBurbank, California.[5]
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Film or series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Emmy Award | Won | Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama - Adaptation | Brian's Song |
| 1977 | Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series | Roots(Shared withErnest Kinoy) | ||
| 1982 | Nominated | Outstanding Drama Series | Fame(Shared with Gerald I. Isenberg,Stan Rogow, and Mel Swope) | |
| 1983 | Outstanding Drama Series | Fame(Shared with Mel Swope) | ||
| 1984 | Outstanding Drama Series | Fame(Shared with Ken Ehrlich) | ||
| 1977 | Humanitas Prize | Won | 60 Minute Category | Roots(Shared withJames Lee for episode #4) |
| 1996 | Nominated | 90 Minute Category | The Boys Next Door | |
| 1972 | Peabody Awards | Won | - | Brian's Song |
| 1997 | Writers Guild of America Award | Adapted Long Form | The Boys Next Door |
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