Top > Entertainment > 2006 > April > 2006-04-25

The Shield and "Hill Street Blues" Producer Dies at 50

Scott Brazil, Emmy-winning producer of "The Shield" and "Hill Street Blues," has died at the age of 50. Brazil died Monday of Lou Gehrig`s disease and Lyme disease complications resulting in respiratory failure, as announced by FX Networks spokesman. Brazil was executive producer of "The Shield," the first original drama series on FX Networks, and he directed 11 episodes. Brazil and "Shield" creator and executive producer Shawn Ryan won the 2002 Golden Globe for drama series.

Although his condition had worsened, Brazil used a motorized wheelchair to go about his duties as "The Shield" producer-director, Ryan said. "He worked Thursday, working to the very last day, talking to the writers, doing casting and prepping our next episode," Ryan said Wednesday. "That`s what made all this so stunning for us. We`re kind of shocked."

Shooting on the set of "The Shield" continued on schedule Tuesday in tribute to Brazil. "I think everyone would have felt lost if they went home and had to deal with this and had nothing to do," Ryan said. "This was really one of the great guys of Hollywood," he added.