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Donald P. Bellisario (born August 8, 1935) is an American television producer and screenwriter who created and oftentimes, also wrote episodes for Quantum Leap as well as the TV series Magnum, P.I., Airwolf, JAG, and NCIS. He has often included military veterans as characters.

Early life[]

Bellisario was born in Charleroi or Cokeburg, Pennsylvania to an Italian father Albert and a Serbian mother Dana (née Lapčević) Bellisario[1] who was born in Gamberale, Abruzzo, Italy. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1955 to 1959, attaining the rank of Sergeant.

Bellisario earned a bachelor's degree in journalism at Pennsylvania State University in 1961. In 2001 he was named a Distinguished Alumnus—the highest honor bestowed on a graduate of Penn State. In 2006, Bellisario endowed a $1 million Trustee Matching Scholarship in the Penn State College of Communications. He recalled:

Growing up in a hardscrabble western Pennsylvania coal mining town, I know first hand the sacrifices that are made to give a son or daughter a university education…and as a Marine veteran who returned to Penn State with two small children and little money, I remember all too well that struggle. It's my hope that this scholarship will also ease the financial burden of other young men and women who have defended our country to attain their academic goals.[2]

Bellisario became an advertising copywriter in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1965, and three years later became creative director of the Bloom Agency in Dallas, Texas. After rising to senior vice president after eight years, he then moved to Hollywood to pursue screenwriting and production.[3]

Television career[]

After working under such television producers as Glen A. Larson, Bellisario adopted some of their production techniques, most notably utilizing a small pool of actors which he uses for his many productions.

Writer Credits[]

Season 1[]

S1.E1 Genesis: Part 1
S1.E2 Genesis: Part 2
S1.E6 Double Identity
S1.E9 Play It Again, Seymour story by, teleplay by

Season 2[]

S2.E1 Honeymoon Express
S2.E11 A Portrait for Troian teleplay by
S2.E14 All-Americans
S2.E15 Her Charm story by, teleplay by
S2.E22 M.I.A.

Season 3[]

S3.E1 The Leap Home, Part I
S3.E2 The Leap Home, Part II (Vietnam)
S3.E19 Last Dance Before An Execution story by

Season 4[]

S4.E1 The Leap Back
S4.E9 A Single Drop of Rain story by
S4.E16 Ghost Ship
S4.E22 A Leap For Lisa

Season 5[]

S5.E1 Lee Harvey Oswald, Part I
S5.E2 Lee Harvey Oswald, Part II
S5.E22 Mirror Image

Director Credits[]

Season 2[]

S2.E10 Catch a Falling Star

Appearances[]

Portrayed leapee Dr. Timothy Mintz in A Portrait for Troian.

References[]

External links[]

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