'The Fugitive' Producer Alan A. Armer Dies

Alan A. Armer, whose 30-year career as a TV producer included an Emmy-winning stint on the classic series The Fugitive, died Dec. 5 of colon cancer at his home in Century City. He was 88.

Armer produced 90 episodes of The Fugitive, the David Janssen starrer that ran on ABC from 1963-67 and attracted a then-record 72 share for its series finale. He won his Emmy when the series was named best drama in 1966.

Armer also produced three other Quinn Martin series of the era: The Invaders with Roy Thinnes, Lancer starring James Stacy and Cannon, toplined by William Conrad. Before these, he produced The Untouchables, the gangster drama starring Robert Stack.

In the '70s, Armer produced many TV movies of the week, including Birds of Prey, also starring Janssen.

A native of Los Angeles, Armer produced one of television's first shows, Lights, Camera, Action, which aired from 1949-51. He also produced 20th Century Fox's first TV series, My Friend Flicka, which ran from 1955-58, as well as Broken Arrow and Man Without a Gun, also for Fox.

Armer wrote three books about writing and directing for television and worked as a professor for 20 years at Cal State Northridge. The school's 130-seat theater is named the Alan and Elaine Armer Theater after he donated $1 million to Northridge. He also served as president of the Hollywood chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Armer is survived by his children Ellen, Michael, David and Aimee; his grandchildren Rachel, Taylor, Spencer, Leah, Hanna and Ethan; his great-grandsons Ford and Cole; and his loving friend Lenore Ross.