Michael Norell

Michael Alden Norell was a multifaceted talent in Hollywood, best known as an actor, screenwriter, and executive producer. He was born on October 4, 1937, in Wallace, Idaho. After moving around with his military family, including his Brigadier General father and brother, he settled in Virginia, attending Falls Church High School. It was here that he began honing his acting talent in school plays.

After his college years at Washington and Lee University where he majored in journalism, he served five years in the Army and eventually left with the rank of captain. Post his stint in the Army, he worked for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. His journey in acting took him to New York City and then Hollywood, where he landed the role of Captain Henry "Hank" Stanley on the television series Emergency!. His performance in the show was highly acclaimed, earning him a solid fan base.

Norell's talents weren't restricted to acting. While working on "Emergency!", he wrote four episodes, marking the beginning of his screenwriting career. He had an active role in the show's writing process, contributing ideas for various storylines.

Building on his successful foray into screenwriting, Norell wrote for other hit shows such as The Love Boat, Love Boat: The Next Wave, Nash Bridges, and The Magnificent Seven. His screenwriting repertoire also included several made-for-TV movies like Barnum and Christmas Comes to Willow Creek. One notable work as a screenwriter was for The Incident, which earned him an Emmy nomination.

Beyond screenwriting, Norell further expanded his career by becoming an executive producer. He created Aloha Paradise, a short-lived series reminiscent of "The Love Boat".

Norell passed away on May 12, 2023, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in the world of entertainment.