Television veteran and Emmy winner, Ted Mann, renowned for his work on programs such as ‘Deadwood’ and ‘NYPD Blue’, passed away on September 4th in Los Angeles. He was 72 years old at the time of his demise. His passing was announced by his loving daughter Elizabeth, who confirmed that he had been bravely fighting lung cancer.
Ted Mann, originally from Canada, kicked off his professional journey in the 1970s with National Lampoon, where he worked as an editor. Over time, he found his path transitioning towards television, where he contributed as a writer on the TV special ‘Disco Beaver from Outer Space’ and the brief series based on ‘Animal House’, called ‘Delta House’.
He entered the 1980s with a new venture, writing the script for Robert Altman’s ‘O.C. and Stiggs’. The characters in this series were loosely based on his creations during his tenure in National Lampoon. Ted Mann then made a shift towards writing for crime television series. He wrote episodes for shows such as ‘The Street’, ‘Wiseguy’, and ‘Miami Vice’, showcasing his adaptability and creative versatility.
Additionally, he extended his script writing talent towards animation, drafting scripts for the Saturday morning cartoon – a ‘Ghostbusters’ spinoff titled ‘Slimer! and the Real Ghostbusters’. He also manifested his skills in the realm of feature films, penning down the screenplay for the 1996 satirical movie ‘Space Truckers’.
In the early 1990s, specifically in 1993, Mann began a collaborative relationship with David Milch and Steven Bochco. Together, they worked on ABC’s ‘NYPD Blue’, where Mann served in the dual capacity of a writer and producer. His contributions were significant enough to earn him two Emmy nominations for his work on the series’ first season.
Ted Mann’s work on ‘NYPD Blue’ not only extended to the second season, but he was also integral to the team that triumphed, lifting the Emmy award for the best drama series. Although he discontinued his role as a producer after this season, his bond with the show remained strong, demonstrated by his return in later episodes throughout the program’s 12-season run.
In 2004, David Milch and Ted Mann rejoined forces, this time for the HBO program ‘Deadwood’. Mann rendered his writing services during the first season of the series. In the subsequent season, he embraced the twin roles of a writer and a producer.
Through his role additionally as a producer of ‘Deadwood’, Mann played a crucial part in its success, helping the show to clinch the WGA Award for Best Dramatic Series during its second season. He remained on the team as a writer-producer, showcasing his talent right through until the end of its third and final season.
Ted Mann and David Milch again collaborated for the HBO series ‘John from Cincinnati’, further solidifying their professional partnership. Mann was also a co-executive producer for ‘Crash’ which aired on Starz. His notable writing and production repertoire included shows such as ‘Millennium’, ‘Brooklyn South’, ‘Total Recall 2070’, ‘Andromeda’, and the impressive History Channel miniseries ‘Hatfields and McCoys’.
In the mid-2010s, Ted Mann turned his creative eye to ‘Homeland’, where he lent his writing skills to three episodes of the critically-acclaimed show in 2015 and 2016. Beyond writing, he also offered his vast television experience in the form of a consulting producer for the series.
Ted Mann is remembered and survived by his close-knit family. His wife, Bly, his devoted children – Elizabeth Mann, married to Michael Wallace, Lucy Bujold, married to Felix, and James Mann, married to Blair – and siblings Bayne Mann, whom is married to Deborah Nolan, and Tish Scott, married to Michael, mourn his loss.
Through his prolific career, Ted Mann left a lasting impact on the television industry. His creative ingenuity brought classic and memorable characters to life, revealing a keen understanding of the human condition and an ability to translate this into narratives that resonated on a global level.
Ted Mann’s passing marks a significant loss to the world of television and film, a world he inhabited and influenced for several decades. His body of work remains a testament to his creativity, tenacious spirit, and exceptional talent, leaving a void that will be hard to fill.
Not only was Ted Mann an unwavering pillar in the TV industry, but the relationships he built and the people he mentored form an incredible legacy. He was an inspiration to many aspiring writers, his work serving as a benchmark, setting high standards of storytelling, character development, and overall quality.
Ted Mann will always be remembered as an individual who shaped an era of television, and his innovative imagination will continue to echo in the scripts he wrote, the shows he produced, and the inspiration he provides to countless future creators.
The post TV Legend Ted Mann, Known for ‘Deadwood’, Passes Away at 72 appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
