Editing Frank Lupo

{{Crew Data
| image= Frank Lupo.jpg
| role=Writer, producer
| series=TOS
| series 2=1980
| born_month=1
| born_day=11
| born_year=1955
| death_month=2
| death_day=18
| death_year=2021
| nationality=US
| site=
| imdb=0526967
|sortkey=Lupo, Frank
}}

'''Frank Lupo''' (January 11, 1955 – February 18, 2021) was an American television writer and producer who worked on both the {{TOS|Battlestar Galactica|Original Series}} and ''[[Galactica 1980]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_lupo_profile">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0526967/|title=Frank Lupo|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> He is best known as the co-creator of ''[[w:The A-Team|The A-Team]]'' (which co-starred [[Dirk Benedict]]) and for his prolific collaborations with producer [[w:Stephen J. Cannell|Stephen J. Cannell]] on numerous action television series during the 1980s and 1990s.<ref group="external" name="variety_lupo_obituary">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=Frank%20Lupo%2C%20the%20TV%20writer,such%20high%2Doctane%20dramas%20as|title=Frank Lupo Dead: Writer-Producer Known for 'A-Team,' 'Hunter' was 66|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

== Early Career ==

=== Entry Into Television ===

Born in New York on January 11, 1955,<ref group="external" name="latimes_lupo_obituary_birthdate">{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/frank-lupo-obituary?id=9155760#:~:text=January%2011%2C%201955|title=Frank Lupo Obituary|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=March 4, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> Lupo graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn and attended The New School in Manhattan as an English major.<ref group="external" name="thr_lupo_education">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frank-lupo-stephen-j-cannell-creative-partner-on-the-a-team-hunter-and-wiseguy-dies-at-66#:~:text=Born%20in%20Brooklyn%20on%20Jan,School%20in%20Manhattan%20as%20an%20English%20major|title=Frank Lupo Dead: 'A-Team,' 'Hunter,' 'Wiseguy' Creator With Stephen J. Cannell Was 66|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> His Hollywood story began at a New York arts school when he was told TV was the promised land.<ref group="external" name="latimes_lupo_obituary_hollywood_start">{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/frank-lupo-obituary?id=9155760#:~:text=His%20Hollywood%20story%20began%20at,off%20to%20L.A|title=Frank Lupo - Hollywood Journey|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=March 4, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

He came to Los Angeles in the mid-1970s and at age 20 was hired by Universal Television,<ref group="external" name="thr_lupo_universal_hire">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frank-lupo-stephen-j-cannell-creative-partner-on-the-a-team-hunter-and-wiseguy-dies-at-66#:~:text=He%20came%20to%20Los%20Angeles,age%2020%20was%20hired%20by%20Universal%20Television|title=Lupo Joins Universal Television|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> where he worked from 1976 until 1981.<ref group="external" name="imdb_lupo_universal_tenure">{{cite web|url=https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0526967/bio/#:~:text=Worked%20for%20Universal%20Television%20from%201976%20until%201981|title=Frank Lupo Biography|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> Two days on the job, an early morning canteen encounter with [[w:Stephen J. Cannell|Stephen J. Cannell]] turned a coffee clutch into a lifelong friendship and collaboration.<ref group="external" name="latimes_lupo_cannell_meeting">{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/frank-lupo-obituary?id=9155760#:~:text=Two%20days%20on%20the%20job,turned%20a%20coffee%20clutch%20into%20a%20lifelong%20friendship|title=Lupo Meets Cannell|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=March 4, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

=== Work on Glen A. Larson Series ===

Lupo's work in TV took off in the late 1970s when he wrote for such series as ''[[Battlestar Galactica]]'', ''[[w:Magnum, P.I.|Magnum, P.I.]]'', ''[[w:B.J. and the Bear|B.J. and the Bear]]'' and ''[[w:The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo|The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo]]''.<ref group="external" name="variety_lupo_early_credits">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=Lupo%27s%20work%20in%20TV%20took,Magnum%2C%20P.I.%2C%22%20%22B.J.%20and%20the%20Bear|title=Lupo's Early Television Work|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> He wrote his first episode of television on the series ''[[w:Sword of Justice|Sword of Justice]]'' and would go on to pen hundreds of episodic stories.<ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_lupo_first_work">{{cite web|url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/frank-lupo#:~:text=He%20wrote%20his%20first%20episode,pen%20hundreds%20of%20episodic%20stories|title=Frank Lupo - Television Academy|publisher=Television Academy|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

For the {{TOS|Battlestar Galactica|Original Series}}, Lupo served as one of the writers for the episode "[[The Young Lords]]", working alongside [[Donald P. Bellisario]] (who also directed the episode) and [[Paul Playdon]].<ref group="external" name="imdb_young_lords_credits">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0519759/fullcredits/#:~:text=Donald%20P.%20Bellisario,Frank%20Lupo,Paul%20Playdon|title=Battlestar Galactica: The Young Lords - Full Cast & Crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> The episode, which premiered on November 19, 1978, featured [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] crash-landing [[Attila|on a distant planet]] and encountering a group of children fighting against the Cylons.<ref group="external" name="thelogbook_young_lords">{{cite web|url=https://www.thelogbook.com/the-young-lords/#:~:text=The%20ninth%20episode%20of%20Glen,November%2019%2C%201978|title=Battlestar Galactica: The Young Lords|publisher=theLogBook.com|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

For ''[[Galactica 1980]]'', Lupo wrote and produced the episode "[[Spaceball]]" alongside [[w:Jeff Freilich|Jeff Freilich]] and [[w:Glen A. Larson|Glen A. Larson]].<ref group="external" name="imdb_spaceball_credits">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0585501/#:~:text=Writers,Glen%20A.%20Larson,Frank%20Lupo,Jeff%20Freilich|title=Galactica 1980: Spaceball|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> The episode, directed by [[Barry Crane]], first aired on ABC on Sunday, March 30, 1980.<ref group="external" name="imdb_spaceball_airdate">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0585501/|title=Spaceball Air Date|publisher=IMDb|date=March 30, 1980|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> The baseball announcer in the episode says that one of the boys is named Little Frankie Lupo, an obvious in-joke reference to the ''Galactica 1980'' producer.<ref group="commentary" name="battlestarwiki_frankie_lupo_injoke">{{cite web|url=https://en.battlestarwiki.org/Spaceball#:~:text=The%20baseball%20announcer%20says%20that,reference%20to%20Galactica%201980%20producer%20Frank%20Lupo|title=Spaceball - Notes|publisher=Battlestar Wiki|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

He wrote one of the best first season ''Magnum, P.I.'' episodes, "No Need to Know," and he was only 25 when he wrote it in 1980.<ref group="commentary" name="deadline_lupo_magnum_comment">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/frank-lupo-dies-creative-partner-on-the-a-team-hunter-and-wiseguy-was-66-1234708626/#:~:text=He%20wrote%20one%20of%20the,when%20he%20wrote%20it%20in%201980|title=Comment on Lupo's Magnum Work|publisher=Deadline|date=March 10, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

== Partnership with Stephen J. Cannell ==

=== Early Collaboration ===

Lupo worked on the Universal Television lot in the same era as Cannell, the prolific showrunner behind ''[[w:The Rockford Files|The Rockford Files]]'' and ''[[w:Baretta|Baretta]]''.<ref group="external" name="variety_lupo_cannell_era">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=Lupo%20worked%20on%20the%20Universal,The%20Rockford%20Files%22%20and%20%22Baretta|title=Lupo and Cannell at Universal|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> After writing episodes of such shows as ABC's ''Battlestar Galactica'' and NBC's ''B.J. and the Bear'', he worked with the late ''Rockford Files'' creator for the first time in 1981 on the ABC series ''[[w:The Greatest American Hero|The Greatest American Hero]]'', for which Lupo wrote several episodes.<ref group="external" name="thr_lupo_greatest_american_hero">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frank-lupo-stephen-j-cannell-creative-partner-on-the-a-team-hunter-and-wiseguy-dies-at-66#:~:text=After%20writing%20episodes%20of%20such,the%20ABC%20series%20The%20Greatest%20American%20Hero|title=Lupo on Greatest American Hero|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref><ref group="external" name="variety_lupo_greatest_american_hero_episodes">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=Lupo%20wrote%20several%20episodes%20of%20Cannell%27s%20ABC%20dramedy%20%22The%20Greatest%20American%20Hero|title=Lupo Writes for Greatest American Hero|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

==== Mentorship and Writing Partnerships ====

Lupo's relationship with Cannell extended beyond simple collaboration into genuine mentorship. According to Cannell, when Lupo and his writing partner had their contracts separated at Universal, it was Cannell who facilitated the change.<ref group="commentary" name="cannell_interview_lupo_partnership">{{cite web|url=https://craigmcdonaldbooks.blogspot.com/2010/10/rogue-males-stephen-j-cannell-interview.html#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20producers%20we,twice%20as%20much%20material|title=Stephen J. Cannell Interview|author=Craig McDonald|publisher=Craig McDonald Books|date=October 2010|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> Cannell recounted that he discovered Lupo and his partner were writing individual scripts and then handing them to each other for polish work, essentially functioning as two separate writers rather than a true partnership. Cannell told them they could be making twice as much money and giving him twice as much material if they worked separately, and had their contracts separated—a move Cannell noted was unheard of in the industry since it required the studio to pay more money.<ref group="commentary" name="cannell_interview_contract_separation">{{cite web|url=https://craigmcdonaldbooks.blogspot.com/2010/10/rogue-males-stephen-j-cannell-interview.html#:~:text=So%20he%20had%20our%20contracts,studio%20has%20to%20pay%20more%20money|title=Cannell on Contract Separation|author=Craig McDonald|publisher=Craig McDonald Books|date=October 2010|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> Cannell characterized Lupo as "a great guy" who was "fun to work with."<ref group="commentary" name="cannell_interview_lupo_character">{{cite web|url=https://craigmcdonaldbooks.blogspot.com/2010/10/rogue-males-stephen-j-cannell-interview.html#:~:text=Frank%27s%20great.%20He%27s%20fun%20to%20work%20with|title=Cannell on Lupo's Character|author=Craig McDonald|publisher=Craig McDonald Books|date=October 2010|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

Another industry professional, writer-director Ken Sanzel, also spoke highly of Lupo's collaborative spirit. When Sanzel's pilot ''Lawless'' was picked up, he had written and produced the pilot which starred Daniel Baldwin and had a markedly different tone from what eventually aired. The network brought in Lupo as the showrunner, and Lupo retooled the show considerably.<ref group="commentary" name="sanzel_interview_lawless">{{cite web|url=https://www.actionreloaded.com/interview-director-ken-sanzel/#:~:text=I%20wasn%27t%20involved%20in%20the,and%20brought%20in%20Frank%20Lupo%20as%20the%20showrunner|title=Ken Sanzel Interview|publisher=Action Reloaded|date=2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> Similarly, when Sanzel wrote a spec feature that he condensed to 60 pages as a mental exercise, he showed it to director Ralph Hemecker, who got it into producer John Wells' hands. Wells asked about developing it as the series ''Johnny Zero'', but by the time the show got going, Sanzel was writing and directing another pilot. Wells brought in writer R. Scott Gemill to retool the show, with Lupo's creative input helping to shape it for Fox's specifications.<ref group="commentary" name="sanzel_interview_johnny_zero">{{cite web|url=https://www.actionreloaded.com/interview-director-ken-sanzel/#:~:text=By%20the%20time%20Johnny%20Zero,retool%20the%20show%20to%20FOX%27s%20specifications|title=Sanzel on Johnny Zero Development|publisher=Action Reloaded|date=2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

[[Kent McCord]], [[Troy (1980)|star of]] ''[[Galactica 1980]]'' during Lupo's production oversight, recalled Cannell's generosity and loyalty to his circle of collaborators, which included Lupo. McCord had attempted to develop a series called ''Chief'' about a retired police officer who becomes chief of a small California town and gets called on to investigate serial crimes. When McCord pitched the concept to Cannell initially, Cannell suggested a different approach that McCord wasn't ready for at the time. Years later, when McCord finally got the rights back from Universal and called Cannell about it, Cannell had to confess he had forgotten McCord's original pitch entirely—but had since developed ''[[w:Unsub|Unsub]]'' with David Burke and Steve Kronish, a series with a remarkably similar premise about tracking serial criminals.<ref group="commentary" name="mccord_interview_unsub_development">{{cite web|url=https://willharris.substack.com/p/interview-kent-mccord-discusses-chief#:~:text=So%20I%20called%20Steve%20from,Steve%20Kronish...%22%20And%20he%20goes%20through%20a%20whole%20bunch|title=Kent McCord Interview|author=Will Harris|publisher=Will Harris Substack|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> Despite the awkward situation, Cannell offered McCord a role on ''Unsub'', demonstrating the loyalty that characterized his relationships with collaborators like Lupo. McCord noted that Cannell "was a great friend who had a group of people around him who he was loyal to and who were loyal to him."<ref group="commentary" name="mccord_interview_cannell_loyalty">{{cite web|url=https://willharris.substack.com/p/interview-kent-mccord-discusses-chief#:~:text=I%20loved%20Steve%2C%20and%20he,and%20who%20were%20loyal%20to%20him|title=McCord on Cannell's Loyalty|author=Will Harris|publisher=Will Harris Substack|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

=== ''The A-Team'' and Major Successes ===

Lupo and Cannell then co-created ''[[w:The A-Team|The A-Team]]'', the action-drama with touches of comedy that became a massive hit for NBC in 1983.<ref group="external" name="variety_ateam_cocreation">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=Lupo%20and%20Cannell%20then%20co,became%20a%20massive%20hit%20for%20NBC%20in%201983|title=A-Team Becomes Massive Hit|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> The series, which ran from 1983 to 1987,<ref group="external" name="imdb_ateam_years">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0526967/|title=The A-Team Years|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> starred Dirk Benedict (who had previously played Lieutenant Starbuck in the original ''Battlestar Galactica'') as Templeton "Faceman" Peck. Cannell famously took the bold step of launching his own independent production banner, [[w:Stephen J. Cannell Productions|Stephen J. Cannell Productions]], on the back of ''The A-Team''.<ref group="external" name="variety_cannell_production_company">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=Cannell%2C%20who%20died%20in%202010,the%20back%20of%20%22A%2DTeam|title=Cannell Launches Production Company|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

Lupo was a co-creator and key producing partner with Cannell on such subsequent Stephen J. Cannell Productions hits as NBC's ''[[w:Hunter (TV series)|Hunter]]'' (starring Fred Dryer), ''[[w:Riptide (TV series)|Riptide]]'', and ''[[w:Werewolf (TV series)|Werewolf]]''.<ref group="external" name="variety_lupo_cannell_subsequent_hits">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=Lupo%20was%20a%20co%2Dcreator,NBC%27s%20%22Hunter%2C%22%20starring%20Fred%20Dreyer|title=Lupo's Stephen J. Cannell Productions Successes|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> He is perhaps best known for co-creating 1980s action shows such as ''The A-Team'', ''Riptide'', ''Hunter'', and ''[[w:Wiseguy (TV series)|Wiseguy]]''; he also served as an executive producer and writer on each of those series.<ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_lupo_best_known">{{cite web|url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/frank-lupo#:~:text=He%20is%20perhaps%20best%20known,producer%20and%20writer%20on%20each%20of%20those%20series|title=Lupo's Best Known Works|publisher=Television Academy|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

==== ''Hunter'' Revival ====

Cannell discussed the 2003 ''Hunter'' revival in detail, explaining his pitch strategy to NBC executive Jeff Zucker. Cannell recalled telling Zucker it would be "the shortest meeting that you will ever have," explaining that ''Hunter'' had controlled its time period for seven years at NBC, and that ''[[w:Walker, Texas Ranger|Walker, Texas Ranger]]'' had done exactly the same thing on CBS. Cannell argued there was a market for this type of programming on Saturday nights that wasn't being serviced by current shows.<ref group="commentary" name="cannell_interview_hunter_pitch">{{cite web|url=https://craigmcdonaldbooks.blogspot.com/2010/10/rogue-males-stephen-j-cannell-interview.html#:~:text=I%20walked%20into%20Jeff%20Zucker%27s,not%20being%20serviced|title=Cannell on Hunter Revival Pitch|author=Craig McDonald|publisher=Craig McDonald Books|date=October 2010|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> He proposed targeting an older demographic that didn't want to "go out and shake their booty on Saturday night."<ref group="commentary" name="cannell_interview_hunter_demographic">{{cite web|url=https://craigmcdonaldbooks.blogspot.com/2010/10/rogue-males-stephen-j-cannell-interview.html#:~:text=all%20of%20those%20people%20that,shake%20their%20booty%20on%20Saturday%20night|title=Hunter Target Demographic|author=Craig McDonald|publisher=Craig McDonald Books|date=October 2010|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

When Lupo and Cannell reunited to produce the ''Hunter'' reunion movie, they faced a creative decision about the show's tone. Cannell explained that while he knew how to write shows like ''[[w:NYPD Blue|NYPD Blue]]'' and had done dark material with ''Wiseguy'', they debated whether to modernize ''Hunter'' with shades of gray or produce it in the style of the 1980s original. They ultimately decided to remain faithful to the eighties aesthetic because they knew their core audience—the same viewers who had watched the original series—would be home on Saturday nights. Cannell noted that while their demographics were older than networks typically wanted, they won the household ratings, which was the goal.<ref group="commentary" name="cannell_interview_hunter_tone_decision">{{cite web|url=https://craigmcdonaldbooks.blogspot.com/2010/10/rogue-males-stephen-j-cannell-interview.html#:~:text=Frank%20and%20I%20sat%20there,were%20home%20on%20Saturday%20nights|title=Hunter Revival Tone Decision|author=Craig McDonald|publisher=Craig McDonald Books|date=October 2010|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

Lupo and Cannell also co-created the much-praised CBS drama ''Wiseguy'', starring [[w:Ken Wahl|Ken Wahl]] as an undercover FBI agent trying to penetrate the world of organized crime.<ref group="external" name="variety_wiseguy_creation">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=Lupo%20and%20Cannell%20also%20co,trying%20to%20penetrate%20the%20world%20of%20organized%20crime|title=Wiseguy Created by Lupo and Cannell|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> The series, which ran from 1987 to 1990,<ref group="external" name="imdb_wiseguy_years">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0526967/|title=Wiseguy Years|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> also featured future ''Breaking Bad'' and ''Better Call Saul'' co-star [[w:Jonathan Banks|Jonathan Banks]] as Wahl's cynical FBI boss.<ref group="external" name="variety_wiseguy_jonathan_banks">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=The%20series%20also%20featured%20future,as%20Wahl%27s%20cynical%20FBI%20boss|title=Jonathan Banks in Wiseguy|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

Other Cannell-produced series credits included ''[[w:The Last Precinct|The Last Precinct]]'' and ''[[w:Stingray (1985 TV series)|Stingray]]''.<ref group="external" name="variety_lupo_other_cannell_shows">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=Other%20Cannell%2Dproduced%20series%20credits,The%20Last%20Precinct%22%20and%20%22Stingray|title=Lupo's Other Cannell Series|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> Lupo also wrote and produced for the Cannell-created ''Stingray'' at NBC.<ref group="external" name="thr_lupo_stingray_work">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frank-lupo-stephen-j-cannell-creative-partner-on-the-a-team-hunter-and-wiseguy-dies-at-66#:~:text=Lupo%20also%20wrote%20and%20produced,Stingray%20at%20NBC|title=Lupo on Stingray|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

== Later Career ==

=== Independent Work ===

Outside of Cannell's orbit, Lupo worked on the 1989-90 NBC drama ''[[w:Hardball (1989 TV series)|Hardball]]''<ref group="external" name="variety_lupo_hardball">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=Outside%20of%20Cannell%27s%20orbit%2C%20Lupo,NBC%20drama%20%22Hardball|title=Lupo Works on Hardball|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> and served as a writer and executive producer on the first season of CBS' ''[[w:Walker, Texas Ranger|Walker, Texas Ranger]]'' with [[w:Chuck Norris|Chuck Norris]].<ref group="external" name="variety_lupo_walker">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=first%20season%20of%20CBS%27,Chuck%20Norris|title=Lupo on Walker, Texas Ranger|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref><ref group="external" name="thr_lupo_walker_executive_producer">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frank-lupo-stephen-j-cannell-creative-partner-on-the-a-team-hunter-and-wiseguy-dies-at-66#:~:text=He%20also%20served%20as%20a,1993%2D94%20first%20season|title=Lupo as Executive Producer on Walker|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> He also worked on the 1992-93 [[w:Lee Majors|Lee Majors]] drama ''[[w:Raven (1992 TV series)|Raven]]'' for CBS,<ref group="external" name="variety_lupo_raven">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=the%201992%2D93%20Lee%20Majors,for%20CBS|title=Lupo on Raven|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> which he also created.<ref group="external" name="thr_lupo_raven_creator">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frank-lupo-stephen-j-cannell-creative-partner-on-the-a-team-hunter-and-wiseguy-dies-at-66#:~:text=created%20the%20series%20Raven%20at%20CBS|title=Lupo Creates Raven|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

=== Final Years ===

In recent years, Lupo penned numerous pilots for NBC, ABC and Fox.<ref group="external" name="variety_lupo_recent_pilots">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=In%20recent%20years%2C%20Lupo%20penned,for%20NBC%2C%20ABC%20and%20Fox|title=Lupo's Recent Pilot Work|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> He worked on a short-lived revival of ''Hunter'' for NBC in 2003.<ref group="external" name="variety_lupo_hunter_revival">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=He%20worked%20on%20a%20short,for%20NBC%20in%202003|title=Hunter Revival|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> While writing and producing ''Galactica 1980'', he also penned scripts for shows such as ''[[w:The Quest (1982 TV series)|The Quest]]''.<ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_lupo_additional_work">{{cite web|url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/frank-lupo#:~:text=while%20writing%20and%20producing%20Galactica,The%20Quest|title=Lupo's Additional Writing Credits|publisher=Television Academy|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

== Personal Life and Death ==

Frank Lupo's boundless energy and a quick mind along with a great sense of humor propelled him in the industry as well as into many friendships.<ref group="external" name="latimes_lupo_personality">{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/frank-lupo-obituary?id=9155760#:~:text=Frank%27s%20boundless%20energy%20and%20a,the%20industry%20as%20well%20as%20into%20many%20friendships|title=Lupo's Personality|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=March 4, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> He was married to Angel Petrulli Lupo.<ref group="external" name="imdb_lupo_spouse">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0526967/#:~:text=He%20was%20married%20to%20Angel%20Petrulli%20Lupo|title=Frank Lupo Personal Life|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

Finally retiring with his loving wife, Angel Petrulli Lupo, to the sunshine of Florida, he figured that he had accomplished a great deal in life - he entertained the world with his creations.<ref group="external" name="latimes_lupo_retirement">{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/frank-lupo-obituary?id=9155760#:~:text=Finally%20retiring%20with%20his%20loving,he%20entertained%20the%20world%20with%20his%20creations|title=Lupo's Retirement|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=March 4, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

Lupo died February 18, 2021, at his home in Florida, according to his sister, Linda Joy Sullivan, who is a member of Vermont's House of Representatives.<ref group="external" name="variety_lupo_death_announcement">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=Lupo%20died%20Feb.%2018%20at,a%20member%20of%20Vermont%27s%20House%20of%20Representatives|title=Frank Lupo Death Announcement|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> He was 66 years old. According to his niece, Gina Dickerson, Lupo died of cardiac arrest in a hospital in The Villages, Florida, a community outside Ocala.<ref group="external" name="thr_lupo_cause_death">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frank-lupo-stephen-j-cannell-creative-partner-on-the-a-team-hunter-and-wiseguy-dies-at-66#:~:text=Lupo%20died%20Feb.%2018%20of,The%20Villages%2C%20Florida%2C%20a%20community%20outside%20Ocala|title=Lupo's Cause of Death|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> The obituary confirmed he passed away "of non-Covid-19 related ailments."<ref group="external" name="latimes_lupo_non_covid">{{cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/frank-lupo-obituary?id=9155760#:~:text=passed%20away%20of%20non%2Dcovid%2D19%20related%20ailments|title=Lupo's Non-COVID Death|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=March 4, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> The Television Academy biography states he "died February 18, 2021, in Lady Lake, Florida."<ref group="external" name="televisionacademy_lupo_death_location">{{cite web|url=https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/frank-lupo#:~:text=Lupo%20died%20February%2018%2C%202021%2C%20in%20Lady%20Lake%2C%20Florida|title=Lupo Death Details|publisher=Television Academy|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

In addition to his wife Angel, Lupo's survivors include his sister, Linda Joy Sullivan; a daughter; and a granddaughter.<ref group="external" name="variety_lupo_survivors">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/frank-lupo-dead-66-wiseguy-stephen-j-cannell-1234924299/#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20Sullivan%2C%20Lupo%27s,and%20a%20granddaughter|title=Lupo's Survivors|publisher=Variety|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> He is also survived by sisters Ann and Linda; nieces Gina and Joanne; and brother-in-law Allen.<ref group="external" name="thr_lupo_additional_survivors">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frank-lupo-stephen-j-cannell-creative-partner-on-the-a-team-hunter-and-wiseguy-dies-at-66#:~:text=Survivors%20include%20his%20wife%2C%20Angel,Gina%20and%20Joanne%3B%20and%20brother%2Din%2Dlaw%20Allen|title=Additional Survivors|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref> Donations in his name may be made to the [[w:City of Hope National Medical Center|City of Hope]] or the [[w:Wounded Warrior Project|Wounded Warrior Project]].<ref group="external" name="thr_lupo_memorial_donations">{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/frank-lupo-stephen-j-cannell-creative-partner-on-the-a-team-hunter-and-wiseguy-dies-at-66#:~:text=Donations%20in%20his%20name%20may,or%20the%20Wounded%20Warrior%20Project|title=Memorial Donations|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 9, 2021|accessdate=November 4, 2025}}</ref>

== Writing Credits for ''Battlestar Galactica'' ==

=== Original Series ===
* "[[The Young Lords]]" (co-written with [[w:Donald P. Bellisario|Donald P. Bellisario]] and [[w:Paul Playdon|Paul Playdon]])

=== ''Galactica 1980'' ===
* "[[Spaceball]]" (co-written with [[Jeff Freilich|Jeff Freilich]] and [[Glen A. Larson|Glen A. Larson]])

''See also: [[:Category:Episodes written by Frank Lupo|Episodes written by Frank Lupo]]''

== References ==

=== External Sources ===
{{reflist|group=external}}

=== Commentary ===
{{reflist|group=commentary}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
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