David J. O’Connell; Emmy-Winning TV Producer

David J. O’Connell, a television producer whose hit series included “Marcus Welby, M.D.,” for which he won an Emmy, has died. He was 79.

O’Connell, who retired in 1981 after 28 years with MCA and Universal Studios, died Jan. 16 in Santa Monica of chronic lung disease and emphysema.

The Welby series, starring Robert Young as a dedicated family doctor, ran for eight seasons and garnered O’Connell 13 Emmy nominations and three Hollywood Foreign Press Awards.

In 1970, O’Connell produced what is regarded as television’s first miniseries, the four-hour presentation of novelist Fletcher Knebel’s “Vanished.” The production earned nine Emmy nominations.

During his long career, O’Connell produced series and specials in categories from comedy to drama to science fiction.

He made biographical specials such as “A Man Whose Name Was John,” starring Raymond Burr as Pope John XXIII, which won a Silver Dove Award, and “The Woman I Love,” with Richard Chamberlain and Faye Dunaway in the story of the abdication of Britain’s King Edward VIII.

O’Connell’s series included “Operation Petticoat,” “Lanigan’s Rabbi,” “Battlestar Galactica” and People’s Choice Award-winner “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.”

He is survived by his wife, Jean; a daughter, Maureen; a son, David, and five sisters.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church, 3625 S. Winter Canyon Road, Malibu. The family has requested that any memorial donations be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.