Steven Bochco

Widely considered one of the most prominent and influential television producers of all time, Steven Bochco was responsible for groundbreaking dramas that pushed the boundaries for acceptable content, while underscoring the human frailty that exists in those who perform our toughest jobs. After working as a journeyman writer on such noted detective shows as "Columbo" (NBC, 1971-78) and "Delvecchio" (CBS, 1976-77), Bochco branched out on his own, creating his first Emmy-winning hit, "Hill Street Blues" (NBC, 1981-87), the first show of its kind to depict police officers as human beings rather than heroes with a badge. But because of its tough subject matter and occasionally gruff language, Bochco routinely battled with network censors over the content of the show. After he left, he created his second Emmy-winning hit, "L.A. Law" (NBC, 1986-1994), one of the most beloved shows of its day. Hot on the heels of that success, he created what many feel was the greatest police drama ever made, "NYPD Blue" (ABC, 1993-2005), which ran afoul of all manner of advocacy groups for its routine nudity and coarse language. While actively pushing for his creative vision, Bochco always claimed never to have pushed boundaries for its own sake - he was always interested in creating shows that realistically portrayed their worlds, giving him acclaim for being a true innovator in a medium not typically known for its artistry. Steven Bochco died after a lengthy battle with leukemia at his Los Angeles home on April 1, 2018. He was 74.