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Editing Don Bellisario

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'''Donald Paul Bellisario''' (born August 8, 1935) is an American television producer, screenwriter, and director best known for creating or co-creating seven prime-time series including ''[[w:Magnum, P.I.|Magnum, P.I.]]'', ''[[w:Quantum Leap|Quantum Leap]]'', ''[[w:JAG (TV series)|JAG]]'', and the ''[[w:NCIS (franchise)|NCIS]]'' franchise.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_biography">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul#:~:text=Donald%20Paul%20Bellisario|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="roberts_encyclopedia_television_directors">{{cite_book|title=Encyclopedia of Television Film Directors|author=Jerry Roberts|publisher=Scarecrow Press|date=5 June 2009|pages=36–37|isbn=978-0-8108-6378-1}}</ref><ref group="external" name="vanderwerff_latimes_bellisario_profile">{{cite_news|url=https://www.latimes.com/|title=Donald P. Bellisario|author=Emily VanDerWerff|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=6 July 2010|accessdate=27 January 2026}}</ref> On the original ''[[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' television series, Bellisario served as supervising producer, writer, and director from 1978 to 1979, contributing eleven teleplays and directing two episodes including the series finale.<ref group="external" name="imdb_bsg_bellisario_credits">{{cite_web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076984/fullcredits/|title=Battlestar Galactica (TV Series 1978–1979) - Full cast & crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> His military background as a United States Marine significantly influenced his authentic depiction of military culture on ''Galactica'' and throughout his subsequent career.<ref group="commentary" name="bellisario_proceedings_military_influence">{{cite_web|url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/donald-bellisario-magnum-p-i/#:~:text=Almost%20all%20of%20my%20TV%20shows|title=We can thank this veteran for Magnum, P.I., and his service|publisher=We Are The Mighty|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>
'''Donald Paul Bellisario''' (born August 8, 1935) is an American television producer, screenwriter, and director best known for creating or co-creating seven prime-time series including ''[[w:Magnum, P.I.|Magnum, P.I.]]'', ''[[w:Quantum Leap|Quantum Leap]]'', ''[[w:JAG (TV series)|JAG]]'', and the ''[[w:NCIS (franchise)|NCIS]]'' franchise.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_biography">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul#:~:text=Donald%20Paul%20Bellisario|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> On the original ''[[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' television series, Bellisario served as supervising producer, writer, and director from 1978 to 1979, contributing eleven teleplays and directing two episodes including the series finale.<ref group="external" name="imdb_bsg_bellisario_credits">{{cite_web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076984/fullcredits/|title=Battlestar Galactica (TV Series 1978–1979) - Full cast & crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> His military background as a United States Marine significantly influenced his authentic depiction of military culture on ''Galactica'' and throughout his subsequent career.<ref group="commentary" name="bellisario_proceedings_military_influence">{{cite_web|url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/donald-bellisario-magnum-p-i/#:~:text=Almost%20all%20of%20my%20TV%20shows|title=We can thank this veteran for Magnum, P.I., and his service|publisher=We Are The Mighty|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>


== Early Life and Military Service ==
== Early Life and Military Service ==


Bellisario was born in [[w:North Charleroi, Pennsylvania|North Charleroi, Pennsylvania]], a coal mining community in Washington County approximately 20 miles from Pittsburgh.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_birthplace">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul#:~:text=born%20on%20August%208%2C%201935|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> His father, Albert Jethro Bellisario, emigrated from Gamberale in Italy's Abruzzo region, while his mother, Dana Lapcevic Bellisario, was Serbian-American.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_parents">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul#:~:text=His%20father%2C%20Albert%20Jethro%20Bellisario|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="markovic_zadovoljna_serbian_heritage">{{cite_web|url=https://zadovoljna.rs/zvezde/ex-yu-zvezde/194233/glumice-za-koje-niste-imali-pojma-da-su-srpskog-porekla|title=Glumice za koje niste imali pojma da su srpskog porekla|author=Kristina Markovic|publisher=Zadovoljna|date=13 July 2023|accessdate=27 January 2026|language=Serbian}}</ref> Growing up in western Pennsylvania's coal country, young Donald absorbed war stories from veterans who gathered at his father's tavern, experiences that would profoundly shape his later television work.<ref group="commentary" name="pabook_bellisario_war_stories">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>
Bellisario was born in [[w:North Charleroi, Pennsylvania|North Charleroi, Pennsylvania]], a coal mining community in Washington County approximately 20 miles from Pittsburgh.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_birthplace">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul#:~:text=born%20on%20August%208%2C%201935|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> His father, Albert Jethro Bellisario, emigrated from Gamberale in Italy's Abruzzo region, while his mother, Dana Lapcevic Bellisario, was Serbian-American.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_parents">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul#:~:text=His%20father%2C%20Albert%20Jethro%20Bellisario|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> Growing up in western Pennsylvania's coal country, young Donald absorbed war stories from veterans who gathered at his father's tavern, experiences that would profoundly shape his later television work.<ref group="commentary" name="pabook_bellisario_war_stories">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>


After initially enrolling at [[w:Pennsylvania State University|Penn State University]] in 1953, Bellisario left to join the [[w:United States Marine Corps|United States Marine Corps]] in January 1955.<ref group="external" name="wearethemighty_bellisario_marine_service">{{cite_web|url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/donald-bellisario-magnum-p-i/#:~:text=He%20served%20in%20the%20Marine%20Corps|title=We can thank this veteran for Magnum, P.I., and his service|publisher=We Are The Mighty|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> He served four years until January 1959, attaining the rank of Sergeant (E-5) and earning the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_marine_rank">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul#:~:text=attaining%20the%20rank%20of%20Sergeant|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> Stationed with Marine Air Control Squadron 9 (MACS-9) at Twentynine Palms, California, he lived in a Quonset hut with his young family during this period.<ref group="commentary" name="pabook_bellisario_twentynine_palms">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>
After initially enrolling at [[w:Pennsylvania State University|Penn State University]] in 1953, Bellisario left to join the [[w:United States Marine Corps|United States Marine Corps]] in January 1955.<ref group="external" name="wearethemighty_bellisario_marine_service">{{cite_web|url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/donald-bellisario-magnum-p-i/#:~:text=He%20served%20in%20the%20Marine%20Corps|title=We can thank this veteran for Magnum, P.I., and his service|publisher=We Are The Mighty|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> He served four years until January 1959, attaining the rank of Sergeant (E-5) and earning the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_marine_rank">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul#:~:text=attaining%20the%20rank%20of%20Sergeant|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> Stationed with Marine Air Control Squadron 9 (MACS-9) at Twentynine Palms, California, he lived in a Quonset hut with his young family during this period.<ref group="commentary" name="pabook_bellisario_twentynine_palms">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>


During his Marine service, Bellisario had a brief encounter with [[w:Lee Harvey Oswald|Lee Harvey Oswald]] at a supply shed, an experience that decades later inspired the two-part ''Quantum Leap'' episode "Lee Harvey Oswald."<ref group="commentary" name="pabook_bellisario_oswald_encounter">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul#:~:text=encountered%20Lee%20Harvey%20Oswald|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> Bellisario's military experiences became the foundation of his creative career, as he later wrote in the U.S. Naval Institute's ''Proceedings'': "Almost all of my TV shows, from ''Airwolf'' to ''Quantum Leap'' to ''JAG'' and ''NCIS'', employ military themes. I rely heavily on incidents I either experienced or heard of while a Marine."<ref group="commentary" name="bellisario_proceedings_military_themes">{{cite_web|url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/donald-bellisario-magnum-p-i/#:~:text=Almost%20all%20of%20my%20TV%20shows|title=We can thank this veteran for Magnum, P.I., and his service|publisher=We Are The Mighty|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>
During his Marine service, Bellisario had a brief encounter with [[w:Lee Harvey Oswald|Lee Harvey Oswald]] at a supply shed, an experience that decades later inspired the two-part ''Quantum Leap'' episode "Lee Harvey Oswald."<ref group="commentary" name="pabook_bellisario_oswald_encounter">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul#:~:text=encountered%20Lee%20Harvey%20Oswald|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> Bellisario's military experiences became the foundation of his creative career, as he later wrote in the U.S. Naval Institute's ''Proceedings'': "Almost all of my TV shows, from Airwolf to Quantum Leap to JAG and NCIS, employ military themes. I rely heavily on incidents I either experienced or heard of while a Marine."<ref group="commentary" name="bellisario_proceedings_military_themes">{{cite_web|url=https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/donald-bellisario-magnum-p-i/#:~:text=Almost%20all%20of%20my%20TV%20shows|title=We can thank this veteran for Magnum, P.I., and his service|publisher=We Are The Mighty|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>


== Education and Advertising Career ==
== Education and Advertising Career ==
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* ''[[w:Tales of the Gold Monkey|Tales of the Gold Monkey]]'' (ABC, 1982-1983) — 21 episodes
* ''[[w:Tales of the Gold Monkey|Tales of the Gold Monkey]]'' (ABC, 1982-1983) — 21 episodes
* ''[[w:Airwolf|Airwolf]]'' (CBS 1984-1986; USA Network 1987) — 80 episodes; Bellisario wrote and directed the pilot
* ''[[w:Airwolf|Airwolf]]'' (CBS 1984-1986; USA Network 1987) — 80 episodes; Bellisario wrote and directed the pilot
* ''[[w:Quantum Leap|Quantum Leap]]'' (NBC, 1989-1993) — 97 episodes over five seasons; earned 5 Emmy Awards and multiple nominations including four for Outstanding Drama Series<ref group="external" name="imdb_quantum_leap_awards">{{cite_web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096684/awards/|title=Quantum Leap (TV Series 1989–1993) - Awards|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref><ref group="commentary" name="televisionacademy_quantum_leap_interview">{{cite_web|url=https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/donald-p-bellisario|title=Quantum Leap|publisher=Television Academy Interviews|date=23 October 2017|accessdate=27 January 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="oconnor_nytimes_quantum_leap_review">{{cite_news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/|title=Review/Television; An Actor's 'Quantum Leap' Through Times and Roles|author=John J. O'Connor|publisher=The New York Times|date=22 November 1989|accessdate=27 January 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="universal_quantum_leap_bellisario_bio">{{cite_web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060712000000*/http://www.scifi.com/quantumleap/bio_bellisario.html|title=Donald Paul Bellisario|publisher=Universal Television via Quantum Leap official site (Sci Fi Channel)|archive=Y|archivedate=12 July 2006|accessdate=27 January 2026}}</ref>
* ''[[w:Quantum Leap|Quantum Leap]]'' (NBC, 1989-1993) — 97 episodes over five seasons; earned 5 Emmy Awards and multiple nominations including four for Outstanding Drama Series<ref group="external" name="imdb_quantum_leap_awards">{{cite_web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096684/awards/|title=Quantum Leap (TV Series 1989–1993) - Awards|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>
* ''[[w:JAG (TV series)|JAG]]'' (NBC 1995-1996; CBS 1997-2005) — 227 episodes over ten seasons<ref group="external" name="imdb_jag_episodes">{{cite_web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112022/|title=JAG (TV Series 1995–2005)|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>
* ''[[w:JAG (TV series)|JAG]]'' (NBC 1995-1996; CBS 1997-2005) — 227 episodes over ten seasons<ref group="external" name="imdb_jag_episodes">{{cite_web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112022/|title=JAG (TV Series 1995–2005)|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>
* ''[[w:First Monday|First Monday]]'' (CBS, 2002) — Supreme Court drama co-created with Paul Levine
* ''[[w:First Monday|First Monday]]'' (CBS, 2002) — Supreme Court drama co-created with Paul Levine
* ''[[w:Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service|NCIS]]'' (CBS, 2003-present) — Co-created with Don McGill; as of January 2026, the flagship series has aired over 489 episodes across 23 seasons<ref group="external" name="thewrap_ncis_franchise">{{cite_web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/ncis-1000-episodes-cbs-franchise-evolution/#:~:text=1%2C000%20episodes|title=NCIS: How the CBS Franchise Made it to 1,000 Episodes|publisher=TheWrap|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="carter_nytimes_bellisario_hit_maker">{{cite_news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/|title=Behind a Quiet Little Hit, a Reliable Hit Maker|author=Bill Carter|publisher=The New York Times|date=25 October 2005|volume=155|issue=53378|pages=E1–E7|accessdate=27 January 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="patten_deadline_bellisario_cbs_settlement">{{cite_web|url=https://deadline.com/|title=UPDATE: 'NCIS' Creator 'Gratified' to Reach Settlement with CBS|author=Dominic Patten|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|date=18 January 2013|accessdate=27 January 2026}}</ref>
* ''[[w:Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service|NCIS]]'' (CBS, 2003-present) — Co-created with Don McGill; as of January 2026, the flagship series has aired over 489 episodes across 23 seasons<ref group="external" name="thewrap_ncis_franchise">{{cite_web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/ncis-1000-episodes-cbs-franchise-evolution/#:~:text=1%2C000%20episodes|title=NCIS: How the CBS Franchise Made it to 1,000 Episodes|publisher=TheWrap|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>


The ''NCIS'' franchise has expanded to seven series including ''NCIS: Los Angeles'', ''NCIS: New Orleans'', ''NCIS: Hawai'i'', ''NCIS: Sydney'', ''NCIS: Origins'', and ''NCIS: Tony & Ziva'', surpassing 1,000 total episodes in 2024.<ref group="external" name="yahoo_ncis_franchise_episodes">{{cite_web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/many-ncis-shows-complete-guide-174657706.html#:~:text=seven%20series|title=How Many 'NCIS' Shows Are There? A Complete Guide|publisher=Yahoo!|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>
The ''NCIS'' franchise has expanded to seven series including ''NCIS: Los Angeles'', ''NCIS: New Orleans'', ''NCIS: Hawai'i'', ''NCIS: Sydney'', ''NCIS: Origins'', and ''NCIS: Tony & Ziva'', surpassing 1,000 total episodes in 2024.<ref group="external" name="yahoo_ncis_franchise_episodes">{{cite_web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/many-ncis-shows-complete-guide-174657706.html#:~:text=seven%20series|title=How Many 'NCIS' Shows Are There? A Complete Guide|publisher=Yahoo!|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>
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* Producer of the Year (2001) — Caucus for Producers, Writers & Directors
* Producer of the Year (2001) — Caucus for Producers, Writers & Directors
* Marine Corps Scholarship Fund Globe and Anchor Award (2002)
* Marine Corps Scholarship Fund Globe and Anchor Award (2002)
* UCLA Neurosurgery Visionary Award (October 27, 2016)<ref group="external" name="ucla_neurosurgery_visionary_award">{{cite_web|url=https://www.uclaneurosurgery.org/visionary-ball/honorees/donald-p-bellisario/|title=Donald P. Bellisario – Honoree – UCLA Neurosurgery Visionary Ball|publisher=UCLA Neurosurgery|accessdate=27 January 2026}}</ref>
* UCLA Neurosurgery Visionary Award (October 27, 2016)


Penn State University named Bellisario a Distinguished Alumnus in 2001 and, following a $30 million gift, renamed its journalism school the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications on April 21, 2017.<ref group="external" name="pennstate_bellisario_college">{{cite_web|url=https://www.psu.edu/news/administration/story/don-and-viv-bellisario-named-2018-philanthropists-year#:~:text=Donald%20P.%20Bellisario%20College%20of%20Communications|title=Don and Viv Bellisario named 2018 Philanthropists of the Year|publisher=Penn State University|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="pennstate_bellisario_million_gift_2006">{{cite_web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090602000000*/https://live.psu.edu/story/19970|title=Bellisario's $1 million gift endows scholarships in College of Communications|publisher=Penn State University|date=2 October 2006|archive=Y|archivedate=2 June 2009|accessdate=27 January 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="pennstate_bellisario_endows_college">{{cite_web|url=https://news.psu.edu/|title=Television legend Donald P. Bellisario endows College of Communications|publisher=Penn State University|accessdate=27 January 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="pennstate_bellisario_dedication_site">{{cite_web|url=https://bellisario.psu.edu/|title=Bellisario Gift – Dedication Site|publisher=Bellisario College of Communications|accessdate=27 January 2026}}</ref>
Penn State University named Bellisario a Distinguished Alumnus in 2001 and, following a $30 million gift, renamed its journalism school the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications on April 21, 2017.<ref group="external" name="pennstate_bellisario_college">{{cite_web|url=https://www.psu.edu/news/administration/story/don-and-viv-bellisario-named-2018-philanthropists-year#:~:text=Donald%20P.%20Bellisario%20College%20of%20Communications|title=Don and Viv Bellisario named 2018 Philanthropists of the Year|publisher=Penn State University|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Bellisario has been married four times and has eight children.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_family">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul#:~:text=has%20been%20married%20four%20times|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> His children include actress [[w:Troian Bellisario|Troian Bellisario]] (''Pretty Little Liars''), producer David Bellisario (1957-2020, who worked on ''NCIS: Los Angeles''),<ref group="external" name="legacy_david_bellisario_obituary">{{cite_web|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/david-bellisario-obituary?id=9079106|title=David Scott Bellisario Obituary (1957–2020)|publisher=Legacy.com / Los Angeles Times|accessdate=27 January 2026}}</ref> and producers Julie Bellisario-Watson and Michael Bellisario, who have worked on his various series. His current wife Vivienne Murray has two sons from a previous marriage: actor [[w:Sean Murray (actor)|Sean Murray]], who has played Timothy McGee on ''NCIS'' since 2003, and Chad W. Murray, a producer on ''NCIS''.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_stepchildren">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>
Bellisario has been married four times and has eight children.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_family">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul#:~:text=has%20been%20married%20four%20times|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> His children include actress [[w:Troian Bellisario|Troian Bellisario]] (''Pretty Little Liars''), producer David Bellisario (1957-2020, who worked on ''NCIS: Los Angeles''), and producers Julie Bellisario-Watson and Michael Bellisario, who have worked on his various series. His current wife Vivienne Murray has two sons from a previous marriage: actor [[w:Sean Murray (actor)|Sean Murray]], who has played Timothy McGee on ''NCIS'' since 2003, and Chad W. Murray, a producer on ''NCIS''.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_stepchildren">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>


Bellisario divides his time between Montecito, California and Sydney, Australia.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_residences">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> He celebrated his 90th birthday on August 10, 2025 at a party attended by stars from across his productions.<ref group="external" name="yahoo_bellisario_90th_birthday">{{cite_web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/ncis-jag-quantum-leap-stars-230957507.html#:~:text=90th%20Birthday|title=NCIS, JAG and Quantum Leap Stars Unite for Series Creator Donald Bellisario's 90th Birthday|publisher=Yahoo!|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>
Bellisario divides his time between Montecito, California and Sydney, Australia.<ref group="external" name="pabook_bellisario_residences">{{cite_web|url=https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul|title=Donald Bellisario|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref> He celebrated his 90th birthday on August 10, 2025 at a party attended by stars from across his productions.<ref group="external" name="yahoo_bellisario_90th_birthday">{{cite_web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/articles/ncis-jag-quantum-leap-stars-230957507.html#:~:text=90th%20Birthday|title=NCIS, JAG and Quantum Leap Stars Unite for Series Creator Donald Bellisario's 90th Birthday|publisher=Yahoo!|accessdate=26 January 2026}}</ref>
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* Bellisario was responsible for naming the [[Borellian Nomen]].
* Bellisario was responsible for naming the [[Borellian Nomen]].
* Several actors who worked with Bellisario on ''Galactica'' became recurring members of his later productions, including [[Larry Manetti]] (who later became a regular on ''Magnum, P.I.'') and [[Jeff MacKay]].
* Several actors who worked with Bellisario on ''Galactica'' became recurring members of his later productions, including [[w:Larry Manetti|Larry Manetti]] (who appeared in "[[Greetings From Earth]]" and later became a regular on ''Magnum, P.I.'') and [[w:Jeff MacKay|Jeff MacKay]].
* Television historians have noted conceptual similarities between the ''Galactica'' episode "[[Experiment in Terra]]"—where [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] appears as another person with [[John|an invisible companion]]—and ''Quantum Leap'''s premise, though Bellisario has stated he does not remember the episode and that it was not the direct inspiration for the later series.
* Television historians have noted conceptual similarities between the ''Galactica'' episode "[[Experiment in Terra]]"—where Apollo appears as another person with an invisible companion—and ''Quantum Leap'''s premise, though Bellisario has stated he does not remember the episode and that it was not the direct inspiration for the later series.
* After ''Galactica'''s cancellation, Bellisario and Glen A. Larson were reportedly tasked with developing a ''Battlestar'' project involving time travel to correct Earth's history; budget constraints forced them toward ''[[Galactica 1980]]'' instead, though Bellisario later revisited the time travel concept when creating ''Quantum Leap''.
* After ''Galactica'''s cancellation, Bellisario and Glen A. Larson were reportedly tasked with developing a ''Battlestar'' project involving time travel to correct Earth's history; budget constraints forced them toward ''[[Galactica 1980]]'' instead, though Bellisario later revisited the time travel concept when creating ''Quantum Leap''.


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=== Production History ===
=== Production History ===
{{reflist|group=production}}
{{reflist|group=production}}
== Further reading ==
* Carter, Bill (October 25, 2005). "Behind a Quiet Little Hit, a Reliable Hit Maker". ''The New York Times''. Vol. 155, no. 53378. pp. E1–E7. About Donald P. Bellisario.


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{imdb name|id=0069074|name=Donald P. Bellisario}}
* [https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/donald-p-bellisario Television Academy Interview]
* [https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/donald-p-bellisario Television Academy Interview]
* [https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul Pennsylvania Center for the Book Biography]
* [https://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/literary-cultural-heritage-map-pa/bios/bellisario_donald_paul Pennsylvania Center for the Book Biography]

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