John Furia Jr. | Hollywood writer, 79

John Furia Jr., 79, a prolific screen and television writer who penned a wealth of popular TV series, has died.

The Writers Guild of America West disclosed Mr. Furia's death in a statement Friday. The cause and exact time of his death could not immediately be determined.

Mr. Furia, a former president of the WGAW, was a longtime advocate for Hollywood writers. He was also a founding chairman of University of Southern California's School of Cinema-Television Writing Division and was a full professor there, teaching screen and TV writing. Mr. Furia started his entertainment career singing with dance bands in New York, but he soon discovered the fledgling television industry. He moved to California, where he became one of Hollywood's most productive dramatists, working for major studios and networks.

He wrote for series such as Bonanza, The Twilight Zone, Dr. Kildare, Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, Hawaii Five-O, The Waltons, and Kung Fu. He also wrote or produced numerous movies of the week.

Mr. Furia's screen credits include The Singing Nun, starring Debbie Reynolds and Greer Garson, in addition to executive-producing films in Mexico, France, Canada, Spain, Croatia and Kenya. - AP