E. Duke Vincent Dies: Emmy-Winning Producer Of ‘Melrose Place,’ ‘Charmed’ & Former Blue Angel Navy Pilot Was 91

E. Duke Vincent, a naval aviator and novelist who also, with partner Aaron Spelling, produced some of the most popular shows in television history, died on February 10 in Montecito. That, according to his wife, actress Pamela Hensley. He was 91.

Born Edward Ventimiglia, Vincent’s 40-year TV career kicked off after he joined the Navy, became a Naval aviator and eventually joined The Blue Angels. About that time, he flew the F8F-8P filming the aerial photo sequences for the NBC’s The Blue Angels.

On resigning from the Navy in 1962, he followed his interest in TV and got a job producing seven one-hour documentaries called Man In Space. While in Los Angeles, filming sequences for the series, Vincent met with Danny Thomas and Sheldon Leonard, the executive producers of The Dick Van Dyke show. After writing a spec script for them, he signed on to do their next series, Good Morning World. The following year Vincent became a producer on Gomer Pyle: USMC, and subsequently, The Jim Nabors Hour.

In 1977 he met Aaron Spelling and partnered up with him in 1978. Over the next 29 years (until Spelling’s 2006 death) they produced 43 series, including Dynasty, Hotel, Vega$, Matt Houston, Beverly Hills, 90210, Melrose Place, Charmed, 7th Heaven, miniseries such as Jackie Collins’ Hollywood Wives and Emmy Award-winning TV movies Day One and And the Band Played On.

His title when he retired were Executive Producer and Vice Chairman of Spelling Television.

He subsequently wrote 4 novels: Mafia Summer, Black Widow, The Strip and The Camelot Conspiracy.

On news of Vincent’s passing, the Blue Angels posted a tribute video and remembrance recorded in 2015 in which Vincent shares his memories of being on the team.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela Hensley Vincent, whose long career includes playing C.J. Parsons on Matt Houston.