Reclusive Ken Wahl Reacts To Death Of TV Icon Stephen Cannell
Posted on Oct 01, 2010 @ 06:50PM
The death of TV's legendary Stephen J. Cannell Friday brought out a flood of comments from the actors who starred in his shows and the producers, directors and writers who were influenced by his work.
Now the extremely reclusive Ken Wahl, who starred in the title role of Cannell's Wiseguy series, has surprisingly come forward with a statement to RadarOnline.com.
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"I am going to miss Stephen," Wahl says. "He was such a nice family guy and friend that never threw his weight around when he could have. I feel a piece of me has died."
Cannell created many of the most popular shows of the 80s and 90s including The Rockford Files, The A-Team, 21 Jump Street and Wiseguy, which ran from 1987 to 1990, and is considered by many critics to be one of the best TV show ever.
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Cannell gave Wahl the opportunity to write an episode and direct another one, but he left the show after three seasons amid controversy over his behavior he show lasted only a few episodes after that, but Cannell always publicly defended his star.
Wahl had hoped to return to movies, where he'd already established himself pre-Wiseguy, but that was not destined to happen. He fell down a flight of stairs and broke his neck.
There were a few B movies and a Wiseguy TV movie in 1996. The career was over and Wahl went into hiding.
Ken says he was "shocked" to learn of Cannell's death from cancer because he'd spoken to his former boss in May to wish him a happy birthday, and Stephen hadn't let on he was ill. Losing his old boss at the age of 69 was also a surprise to Wahl because the much-loved Cannell was a "health nut, never drank or smoked, always ate organic foods."
Wahl has not revealed if he'll come out of seclusion to attend a Cannell memorial.
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Feb 21, 2012 @ 14:00
Feb 17, 2012 @ 07:30
you can buy all 4 seasons now but,u wont get the dead dog records arc!
Posted Thu, 12/30/2010 - 3:33am
Wahl had major offers after Wiseguy - his career was never 'over'. Broke his neck- that's why he stopped working- and gnarly stories written drove him to reclusion- he wont' talk so no access to get real story. Does great work for animals.
Posted Tue, 10/05/2010 - 5:25pm
Loved Wiseguy. "Dead Dog Records" story arc with Paul Winfield was the best. It had the sexiest, most realistic, hard-core sex scenes I’ve ever seen on TV between Wahl & Patti D'Arbanville. I've always wondered how that got by censors.
Posted Sat, 10/02/2010 - 5:15pm
I saw that pic of Ken & melted; it was like being in high school all over again! I LOVED him/that show (RIP Ray Sharkey) and Mr. Cannell kept me entertained with numerous shows for years! RIP, Mr. Cannell. You will be missed!
Posted Sun, 10/03/2010 - 9:40am
that was so hot I remember that too they had so much chemistry together and do you remember when McPike walked in on them and they referred to him as McPikeusinterruptous LOL I loved Buckwheat too= William Russ
Posted Sat, 10/02/2010 - 7:17pm
Sad about Cannell dying he was a great storyteller through his writing. Wiseguy was an excellent show and I have to say I miss seeing Ken Wahl he was a hottie. Wish he would come back to weekly TV
Posted Sat, 10/02/2010 - 4:07pm
I agree with you completely! I was so sad when I found out about Mr. Cannell's passing. He truly was a great storyteller!! (Ken Wahl was so fine. I used to defy curfew at the risk of being grounded just to see him)!
Posted Sun, 10/03/2010 - 9:43am
I just checked ebay they have the whole series out now for really reasonable. I just bought it ;-)
Posted Sun, 10/03/2010 - 10:00am
I know I adored him too. I recently bought some of the Wiseguy that are out on DVD The Sonny Steelgrave and Mel Profit saga. Which were awesome but I still want the Dead Dog Records Saga I wish they would release more...
Posted Sun, 10/03/2010 - 9:53am