George Schenck, a pivotal writer and producer for NCIS, passed away at his Los Angeles home at the age of 82. Schenck was instrumental in shaping the CBS drama, working on it for its first 15 seasons alongside his longtime creative partner, Frank Cardea. The duo took over as co-showrunners in November 2016 following the sudden death of Gary Glasberg. Together, they were responsible for nearly 50 episodes, starting from the show’s inaugural season in 2003. Schenck retired in 2018, while Cardea continued until 2022.
In addition to their work on NCIS, Schenck and Cardea created several other television series, including “Bring ‘Em Back Alive” (1982-83), “Crazy Like a Fox” (1984-86), and “Pros and Cons” (1991-92). They also collaborated on numerous projects such as “Fantasy Island,” “The Cosby Mysteries,” “High Sierra Search and Rescue,” “The Great Defender,” “Soldier of Fortune, Inc.,” “Relic Hunter,” and “Hack.”
George William Schenck was born on February 12, 1942, into a family deeply connected to Hollywood. His father, Aubrey Schenck, produced films like “T-Men” (1947) and “Robinson Crusoe on Mars” (1964), while his great uncles, Nicholas and Joseph Schenck, held executive positions at MGM and Fox.
Mark Harmon, NCIS star and producer, expressed his condolences, highlighting the significant impact Schenck and Cardea had on the show. Schenck’s extensive career included writing for classic series such as “The Wild Wild West,” “Branded,” “Hondo,” and “Bonanza.” He also co-wrote the CBS telefilm “The Phantom of Hollywood” and the film “Futureworld” (1976), the first sequel to Michael Crichton’s “Westworld.”
Schenck was a USC graduate with a degree in screenwriting and later served in the U.S. Navy. His work has left a lasting legacy in the world of television and film.