David Jacobs, the writer and producer known for creating the iconic television series Dallas and Knots Landing, has passed away at the age of 84. He passed away on Sunday at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, after battling Alzheimer’s and complications from a series of infections.
Dallas, which first aired as a five-part miniseries in April 1978, went on to become one of the most popular television shows of all time. It ran for 14 seasons and 357 episodes, with its final episode airing in May 1991. The show consistently ranked as the number one show in the Nielsen ratings during its fourth, fifth, and seventh seasons.
Jacobs’ other successful creation, Knots Landing, debuted in December 1979 and also ran for 14 seasons and 344 episodes. The show became a Thursday night staple and remained on air until May 1993.
Jacobs’ success in the television industry began when his work as a story editor for the ABC drama Family caught the attention of Lorimar Productions, where he formed a partnership with development executive Michael Filerman. Together, they pitched the idea of an American version of Ingmar Bergman’s Scenes From a Marriage, set in a cul-de-sac with four couples. However, Filerman suggested incorporating elements from the 1957 drama No Down Payment, which portrayed the soap opera happenings of a Southern California cul-de-sac.
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The pair took the concept to CBS, who liked it but wanted something featuring Linda Evans, who was under contract with the network. This led Jacobs to think about a saga set in the world of Texas and the oil industry. He quickly crafted an outline for a series and presented it to Filerman, who sent it to CBS under the title “Dallas.” Despite Jacobs’ initial hesitation about the name and setting, the network immediately ordered a script based on his treatment.
Dallas quickly became a hit, with its pilot episode airing just six weeks after Jacobs had finished writing it. The show starred Larry Hagman as the manipulative oilman J.R. Ewing and became known for its portrayal of greed and corruption. Jacobs remained a creative consultant on Dallas throughout its run but shifted his focus to creating another successful series.
During a meeting with CBS executives, Jacobs’ pitch for a spinoff based on characters who lived in the same cul-de-sac as the Ewings on Dallas was met with enthusiasm. Thus, Knots Landing was born, centering around the characters of Gary and Valene, played by David Ackroyd and Joan Van Ark respectively. The show moved from Texas to the fictional Los Angeles-adjacent town of Knots Landing and explored the lives and dramas of its middle-class residents.
Throughout his career, Jacobs emphasized the importance of conflict within the structure of a show. He believed that if conflict was built into the foundation of a series, it would naturally create compelling storylines without artificial manipulation.
Born in Baltimore on August 12, 1939, Jacobs initially pursued a career in art before realizing his passion for writing. After earning a master’s degree in art history, he began writing for various publications, including Esquire, Newsweek, and The New York Times Magazine. He eventually transitioned to television, starting as a story editor on shows like Family and The Blue Knight before creating his own groundbreaking series.
David Jacobs’ contributions to television will always be remembered, as both Dallas and Knots Landing revolutionized the primetime soap opera genre. His storytelling and memorable characters captivated audiences for years, and his legacy will continue to influence the television industry for generations to come.
