Donald Paul Bellisario, Creator of NCIS

Remember the hit television show "Magnum P.I.?" Of course you do. Who could forget Tom Selleck in the role of a beach-bum-dressed detective driving a Ferrari? Or his faithful sidekick, Higgins {John Hillerman)?

How about the television show "Airwolf?" "Battlestar Galactica?" "JAG?" "Quantum Leap?"

Bellisario collaborated with Glen A. Larson on Magnum and Battlestar Galactica. He also collaborated with Stephen J. Cannell on "The Rockford Files" and "The Black Sheep Squadron" (originally known as "Baa Baa Black Sheep.")

Bellisario worked in advertising as a copywriter before taking the plunge and moving to Hollywood to pursue careers in screenwriting and production.

Born in Cokeburg Pennsylvania on August 8, 1935, Bellisario graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in journalism in 1961. He served four years in the United States Marine Corps. He achieved the rank of Sergeant and earned the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

Needless to say, he drew on personal experience in the Corps for many of his projects.

One of his personal experiences was particularly poignant. He served with Lee Harvey Oswald while in the military.

Bellisario's creation of "Quantum Leap" in 1988 was inspired by reading a novel about time travel. The episode "Lee Harvey Oswald" which originally aired September 22, 1992, was the culmination of Bellsario's experience and belief that Oswald worked alone.

"JAG" was another of Bellisario's successful endeavors. For ten years, viewers watched the escapades of Sarah 'Mac' Mackenzie and (whoever the guy was) with the military Judge Advocate General as background. Though the show stumbled at first, CBS picked it up in 1996. Popularity of the show grew significantly after 9-11, with audiences taking a keener interest in the U.S. military and Homeland Security.

From this series, was born "NCIS." Debuting in 2003, the show is considered a "sleeper" hit, with audiences building gradually as opposed to getting a roaring start out of the gate. NCIS is fraught with sexual tension, mostly between Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo and any other female character on the show. But it is also rife with references to Bellisario's past endeavors: DiNozzo once used the name "Stringfellow" (as in Stringfellow Hawkes from Airwolf) as a cover name. Numerous references have also been made to Magnum and other Bellisarius Productions creations.

Bellisario himself can, from time to time, be seen in a scene or two on NCIS.

One thing is for certain; Bellisario firmly believes in nepotism. His stepson, Sean Murray is Special Agent Timothy McGee. Troian Bellisario, who portrayed McGee's younger sister, Sarah, a couple of times ("Twisted Sister" first aired November 21, 2006), is Bellisario's daughter. Michael Bellisario was Charles 'Chip' Sterling ("Frame Up" first aired November 22, 2005 - he was Abby's assistant who tried to frame Tony for murder). Younger stepson Chad W. Murray works in production on NCIS and son David Bellisario is an NCIS producer.

Bellisario endowed a $1 million Trustee Matching Scholarship in the Penn State College of Communications. Bellisario cites the struggle of growing up in a small coal mining town as being one of the reasons he bestowed the gift to Penn State.

"...as a Marine veteran who returned to Penn State with two small children and little money, I remember all too well that struggle. It's my hope that this scholarship will also ease the financial burden of other young men and women who have defended our country to attain their academic goals."[1]

Since the money Bellisario donated is a matching fund, Penn's State Board of Trustees will match 5% of Bellisario's gift. The $1 million will generate about $100,00 each year for scholarships.

In 2007, the Hollywood Reporter stated that Bellisario would be leaving NCIS to focus his attention on other projects. He also helped create "NCIS: Los Angeles" a spin-off of NCIS.

Bellisario has won several Emmy Awards for Magnum, P.I. and Quantum Leap. His star is on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7080 Hollywood Blvd.

Sources:

[1] Penn State
The Hollywood Reporter
Yahoo TV