David Angell
Biography
David Lawrence Angell (April 10, 1946 – September 11, 2001) was an American screenwriter and television producer born in Barrington, Rhode Island. He built a career in sitcoms, contributing as a writer to the series Cheers, for which he received multiple Emmy Awards. Angell later co‑created and served as executive producer of the sitcoms Wings and Frasier alongside Peter Casey and David Lee. Over his career he accumulated eleven credited writing projects. On September 11, 2001, while returning from a vacation on Cape Cod, Angell and his wife Lynn were aboard American Airlines Flight 11, the first aircraft that struck the World Trade Center during the attacks. He was 55 at the time of his death.
Career overview
David Lawrence Angell was born on April 10, 1946, in Barrington, Rhode Island, United States. He built a career as an American screenwriter and television producer, focusing primarily on sitcoms. Angell’s writing contributions earned him recognition for a range of popular series, and his professional profile lists eleven credited works. He is especially noted for his work on the acclaimed sitcom Cheers, for which he received multiple Emmy Awards. In collaboration with Peter Casey and David Lee, Angell co‑created the series Wings and later the long‑running series Frasier, serving as both creator and executive producer on those projects. His role in shaping these shows solidified his reputation within the television comedy genre. Industry records list his gender as male and note that he was also known by the short form Dav.
Angell’s life was tragically cut short on September 11, 2001, when he and his wife, Lynn, were aboard American Airlines Flight 11 returning from a vacation on Cape Cod. The aircraft was the first to strike the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks, resulting in their deaths. Angell’s contributions to television comedy continue to be remembered through the enduring popularity of the series he helped develop.
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Career timeline
Full filmography
- Frasier (2023) Original Series Creator
- The Discarded (2020) Sound Editor
- Regina Spektor: Live on Soundstage (2017) Musician
- The Frasier Story (1999) as Self
- Encore! Encore! (1998) Creator
- Frasier (1993) Writer
- Frasier (1993) Executive Producer
- Frasier (1993) In Memory Of
- Frasier (1993) Creator
- Wings (1990) Writer
- Wings (1990) Executive Producer
- Wings (1990) Creator
- Jake and the Fatman (1987) Producer
- Jake and the Fatman (1987) Creator
- Condo (1983) Writer
- Cheers (1982) Writer
- Cheers (1982) Producer
- Cheers (1982) Story Editor
- Cheers (1982) Executive Story Editor
- Archie Bunker's Place (1979) Writer