David Jacobs, the visionary mind behind the iconic CBS primetime series “Dallas,” breathed his last on Sunday at the age of 84, within the confines of Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. His son Aaron, as reported by Variety, officially confirmed his passing. While the exact cause of his demise remains undisclosed, it is known that Jacobs valiantly battled Alzheimer’s Disease for an extended period, according to sources.
Jacobs’ legacy reverberates strongly throughout the entertainment industry, leaving an indelible mark on those who crossed paths with him, both personally and professionally. Beyond his celebrated creation of “Dallas,” his creative prowess extended far and wide. Noteworthy additions to his portfolio include the successful productions “Knots Landing” and “Paradise,” testament to his multifaceted talent as a soap opera creator.
“Dallas” aired for a remarkable 14 seasons from 1978 until 1991 and inspired a reboot of the same name in 2012. Jacobs lent his talents to the spinoff series, “Knot’s Landing,” which debuted in 1979, according to Variety. The success of that series also spanned over a 14-year time frame, until 1993.
Jacobs worked on creating “Paradise” alongside co-creator Robert Porter. He continued to inspire his fans by shining as the writer of “Four Corners,” “Family,” Kingston: Confidential” and “Bodies of Evidence,” as well as “Dallas: The Early Years.”
He shone as the executive producer of ABC’s “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” and “Homefront,” and snagged two Emmy nominations for his contributions.
Jacobs is survived by his children Aaron and Molly and his wife, Diana. He also shares daughter Albyn Hall with his former wife Lynne Oliansky and has two grandchildren named Riley and Georgia.
An outpouring of love and messages of condolences are being shared online in memory of him and his talents and the footprint he has left on his friends, fans and family.
