Beloved legend died this morning at his home in Los Angeles

George Schenck, Acclaimed NCIS Writer, Dies at 82

George Schenck, a prominent writer and showrunner best known for his work on NCIS, has passed away at the age of 82. According to a CBS spokesperson, Schenck died on Saturday at his home in Los Angeles.

Schenck, who co-created the crime drama NCIS with Frank Cardea, contributed significantly to the show’s success, particularly during its first 15 seasons. In addition to his work on NCIS, Schenck created the CBS series Bring ‘Em Back Alive, which aired in 1982 and starred Bruce Boxleitner.

Mark Harmon, a longtime star of NCIS, expressed his condolences, stating, “So sorry to hear the news on George. George and Frank’s hard work and professionalism changed the show. I’m so grateful for the teamwork and unity they both showed.”

Born on February 12, 1942, Schenck was the son of Aubrey Schenck, a film and TV producer known for projects like Robinson Crusoe on Mars and Kill a Dragon. George earned his screenwriting degree from the University of Southern California and later completed a master’s degree in the university’s new film school writer’s program.

Following his education, Schenck served in the US Navy before beginning his career as a writer. His early television work included episodes of The Wild Wild West, Branded, Hondo, and Bonanza. He also wrote screenplays for Clint Walker, including Don’t Worry, We’ll Think of a Title (1966) and More Dead Than Alive (1969).

After working as a freelance writer on independent films, Schenck partnered with Frank Cardea, and together they wrote for several TV shows, including Crazy Like a Fox, The Cosby Mysteries, and Pros and Cons. Their most notable collaboration, however, was with NCIS, where they wrote nearly 50 episodes starting from the show’s first season in 2003. Following the death of Gary Glasberg in 2016, Schenck and Cardea became co-showrunners.

A fan account on X (formerly Twitter) paid tribute, stating, “Rest in peace, George. Thanks for all the work you’ve done for this show and franchise for 15 years. We love him and his family, as well as the cast and crew of NCIS!”

Schenck’s death follows the recent passing of his wife of more than 50 years, Virginia. He is survived by their two sons, Kirk and Jeff, nieces Allison and Natalie, and grandchildren Aidan, Andrew, Ryan, Jordan, and Owen.

A private service will be held for Schenck’s family and close friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Writer’s Guild Foundation, which supports emerging writers in the industry.