Veteran producer of 'WarGames,' 'Blue Bloods" dies at 85
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Leonard Goldberg, a network and studio executive and producer whose TV credits ranged from 'œStarsky and Hutch'ť in the 1970s to the current drama series 'œBlue Bloods'ť and whose independent movies included 'œWarGames'ť and 'œSleeping with the Enemy,'ť has died. He was 85.
Goldberg died Wednesday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from injuries suffered in a fall, according to a statement issued Thursday on behalf of his family, who were with him at the hospital.
During his tenure as president of Twentieth Century Fox, the studio produced hit films including 'œBroadcast News,'ť 'œBig,'ť 'œDie Hard'ť and 'œWall Street.'ť
Goldberg was head of programming for ABC when the network's lineup included 'œMod Squad,'ť 'œThat Girl'ť and 'œMarcus Welby, M.D.'ť
Starting in the 1970s, he joined with prolific TV producer Aaron Spelling to make shows including 'œCharlie's Angels,'ť 'œHart to Hart'ť and 'œFantasy Island'ť and TV movies including 'œThe Boy in the Plastic Bubble'ť with John Travolta.
Jaclyn Smith, who starred in the 'œCharlie's Angels,'ť said in a statement that their shared work history led to "a truly wonderful friendship. I have the greatest respect for him not only professionally but more importantly as a loving family man. Len, you are now truly surrounded by angels.'ť
As a production executive at Screen Gems, now Columbia Pictures Television, Goldberg green-lit production of the Peabody Award-winning TV movie 'œBrian's Song.'ť
Goldberg's survivors include his wife, Wendy Howard Goldberg, their children and grandchildren.