Steven Bochco, a creative producer whose boundary-pushing series like “Hill Street Blues” and “NYPD Blue” helped define the modern TV drama, passed away Sunday after a battle with leukemia.
He was 74.
The producer was known for taking risks, including the musical police drama “Cop Rock,” a rare failure during his heyday; and “Murder One,” which seemed to anticipate the current trend toward limited series. The show followed a single murder case over an entire season.
After his success at NBC with “Hill Street Blues” and “L.A. Law,” Bochco negotiated a then-unprecedented 10-series deal with ABC, which yielded the aforementioned “NYPD Blue” (a long-running hit) and “Cop Rock,” as well as “Doogie Howser M.D.”
Bochco received virtually every imaginable industry award over his illustrious career.
He was nominated for an Emmy 30 times in his capacities as producer and writer, winning 10.
