According to The Hollywood Reporter, George Schenck (Pros And Cons, More Dead Than Alive, Superbeast), a significant figure in television, particularly known for his work on the CBS drama NCIS, has passed away at the age of 82. Schenck died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday, as confirmed by a network spokesperson.
Schenck’s career in television spanned over five decades, during which he made an indelible impact on the industry. He was most renowned for his role as a writer, producer and eventually co-showrunner of NCIS, a position he held for the first 15 seasons of the series. As mentioned by The Hollywood Reporter, his tenure on NCIS began with the show’s debut in 2003, where he wrote nearly 50 episodes over the years. Schenck and his creative partner Frank Cardea (The Hit Man, Search And Rescue, Kiss Me Deadly) were promoted to co-showrunner in November 2016 following the sudden death of then-showrunner Gary Glasberg (The Mentalist, Viper, Bones).
In a statement reflecting on their new roles at the time, Schenck and Cardea expressed their commitment to continuing Glasberg’s legacy, saying, “It’s with heavy hearts that we assume his duties.”The duo’s leadership saw the series’ success continue, cementing its place as one of the longest-running dramas on network television.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mark Harmon (Freaky Friday, Summer School, Worth Winning), the star and producer of NCIS, paid tribute to Schenck, acknowledging the pivotal role he and Cardea played in shaping the show in a statement. “The professionalism and tenacity of George and Frank changed the face of the show. I’m so appreciative of the team and teamwork they both represented,” Harmon said.
Before his work on NCIS, Schenck and Cardea had already established themselves as a formidable writing and producing team. Their partnership spanned 40 years, and produced several notable television series. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, they created the 1982-83 CBS adventure series Bring ‘Em Back Alive, starring Bruce Boxleitner (Tron, How The West Was Won, Babylon Five), and the 1984-86 CBS crime drama Crazy Like a Fox, starring Jack Warden (The Norm Show, Judgment, Jigsaw John) and John Rubinstein (Hello I Must Be Going, Family, She’s Dressed To Kill).
The Hollywood Reporter mentioned that Schenck’s career began after he graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a degree in screenwriting. He was part of the first class of USC’s film school and also served in the U.S. Navy. His early writing credits included episodes of classic television series such as The Wild Wild West, Bonanza, and Hondo. He also co-wrote the 1976 film Futureworld, the first sequel to the Michael Crichton classic Westworld.
Also talked about in The Hollywood Reporter’s recent article, Schenck hailed from a family with deep roots in the entertainment industry. His father, Aubrey Schenck (The Black Sheep, Shock, Untamed Youth), was a film producer who worked with notable figures like Howard W. Koch (Big House U.S.A, Fort Bowie, The Last Mile), while his great uncles, Nicholas and Joseph Schenck, held executive positions at MGM and Fox.
After a prolific career, Schenck retired in 2018, with Cardea continuing to work on NCIS until 2022. Schenck is survived by his children, Kirk and Jeff, their wives, and his five grandchildren. His wife of over 50 years, Virginia, passed away in March 2023.
In honor of George Schenck’s legacy, his family has requested that donations be made to the Writers Guild Foundation. Schenck’s contributions to television will be remembered by colleagues and fans alike, and his impact on the industry will continue to be felt for years to come.