Philip Capice (December 15, 1931 – May 2, 2009) was an American television producer best known for his work on the prime‑time soap operas Dallas and Knots Landing. His career spanned several decades during which he contributed to the development and success of numerous serialized drama series.
Early life and education
Philip Capice was born in New York City. Details regarding his family background and formal education are not extensively documented in widely recognized encyclopedic sources.
Career
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Early television work: Capice began his career in the television industry in the 1950s, initially serving in production roles on various broadcast programs.
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Rise to prominence: In the 1970s, he became a senior producer for The Waltons, a drama series that aired on CBS from 1972 to 1981.
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Dallas: Capice joined the production team of Dallas (CBS, 1978–1991) as a supervising producer and later as an executive producer. Under his leadership, the series achieved high ratings and cultural impact, particularly noted for the 1980 cliffhanger episode “Who Shot J.R.?”
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Knots Landing: In 1979, Capice co‑created and served as executive producer for Knots Landing, a spinoff of Dallas that aired on CBS from 1979 to 1993. The series ran for 14 seasons and became one of the longest‑running primetime dramas of its era.
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Later projects: After Knots Landing, Capice continued to work in television, producing series such as The Colbys (1985–1987) and consulting on various television pilots.
Awards and recognition
Capice received multiple nominations for Emmy Awards throughout his career, including nominations for Outstanding Drama Series for his work on Dallas and Knots Landing. He was also honored by the Producers Guild of America for his contributions to television drama.
Personal life
Philip Capice was married and had children; however, detailed personal information is limited in publicly available encyclopedic records.
Death
Capice died of heart failure on May 2, 2009, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 77.
Legacy
Philip Capice is remembered as a pioneering figure in serialized television drama, recognized for helping to shape the modern primetime soap opera format and for his role in creating enduring and influential television series.