The co-creator of Godfather of Harlem, Paul Eckstein, has passed away on June 6th. According to Deadline, his unforeseen death came in his sleep, shared in a release from MGM+ and ABC Signature. His work as an actor included his appearance in the beloved Star Trek: Voyager.
In a statement released by MGM+ and ABC Signature, “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of our brilliant colleague, Paul Eckstein. Working on the series was a labor of love for Paul, who based the show in part on his family’s personal history. Paul was passionate, a creative force, known for his kindness, and generosity. He was a mentor and friend to many, and he will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and his longtime collaborator Chris Brancato.”
Eckstein was a Brooklyn native and he went on to attend Brown University, where he graduated with honors. His career began in theater as he helped found Naked Angels Theater Company, work on Broadway, Shakespeare in the Park, and Minnesota’s Guthrie Theater. He co-produced Godfather of Harlem and was a leading force in the writing room for Netflix’s Narcos. Other writing works of his include Street Time, Law and Order: Criminal Intent, and The Dead Zone.