David Jacobs dead – Dallas creator dies aged 84 years after tragic Alzheimer’s diagnosis
DALLAS creator David Jacobs has died at the age of 84.
The renowned writer behind the iconic American soap had been battling Alzheimer's for several year.
He died on Sunday in Burbank, California, from complications from a series of infections, his son Aaron told .
Jacobs was best known for bringing Dallas to the small screen - a household favourite in the 1980s.
It aired for 14 seasons with an incredible 357 episodes from 1978 to 1991.
He started out writing non fiction books and magazine articles before shifting his focus to TV.
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Jacob's early TV included penning episodes for Family, Chicago Story, and The Blue Knight.
He then created Dallas, starring Linda Gray, Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy.
The drama, which surrounded a Texas oil family, was Emmy-nominated for Outstanding Drama Series in both 1980 and 1981.
Jacobs went on to write its spinoff show, Knots Landing - which ran for 14 seasons until 1993.
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In 2008, Jacobs told TV Academy Foundation he had come up with the idea for Knots Landing before Dallas, but it was pitched and produced after.
The legendary writer also revealed Dallas was created around actress Linda Evans - who later starred in rival soap Dynasty.
Aside from Dallas and Knots Landing, Jacobs also wrote for scores of series including Four Corners and Paradise.
He also acted as executive producer for ABC's Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman and Homefront - earning two Emmy nominations.
Jacobs was behind the revival of Dallas, which ran from 2012 to 2014.
He is survived by his wife Diana, his three children Aaron, Molly and Albyn, and two grandchildren.