Brian Clemens Dies, Creator Of ‘Avengers,’ ‘The Professionals’ [Videos]

Posted on the official The Professionals fan website, it was announced that Brian Clemens died on January 10. In addition to the website, Brian Clemens’ death was announced on January 11 on Twitter by family friend @Vintage_Ellie.

http://youtu.be/PCFVEvZvo3g

The Brian Clemens-related website that originally announced his death is managed by Dave Matthews and Dave Rogers. The cult classic TV fan site was made official by London Weekend Television, Mark 1 Productions and David Wickes Television joint directors, Brian Clemens and Laurie Johnson.

Written on the website by the administrators was one update about the death of Brian Clemens, saying the following.

“I’ve just been informed of the very sad news that series creator, writer and Executive Producer Brian Clemens has passed away. More information to follow soon. (Thanks to Dave Rogers and Ray Austin.)”

The announcement of Brian Clemens’ death by @Vintage_Ellie says the following.

“News from a friend who knows a former director on the show that Brian Clemens who created The Professionals – died yesterday. Very sad.”

Within hours of Brian Clemens’ death, Twitter users were sending their condolences to the family and friends of this great director, writer, creator, and producer.

The Elstree Project, the studio involved with Brian Clemens’ television work in the 1960s, posted their condolences on Facebook, saying the following.

“We are very sad to have been told of the passing of Brian Clemens. Brian was one of the most prolific writers for British television, and was largely responsible for the much loved tone and style of The Avengers — especially during the iconic Emma Peel years. Brian also co-created The Professionals and The New Avengers, as well as writing for various TV series including The Baron, The Persuaders!, The Protectors, Danger Man, The Invisible Man, Bergerac, Perry Mason and Diagnosis: Murder. Brian was also writer for many productions by Danziger’s New Elstree Studios. Brian gave his support and time to The Elstree Project and is featured in our documentary film [Diabolical Masterminds: Working on The Avengers], through clips from the oral history interview he gave to us, as well as the short documentary we made about the making of The Avengers at ABPC Studios in the 1960s. We are hugely grateful to Brian and send our love and support to his wife Janet and their family.”

Among fans, Brian Clemens will always be remembered for 1960s British television hits like The Avengers. Brian Clemens went on to have a successful career in the 1970s with the British television show The Professionals. Starting in the 1980s, Brian Clemens was well-known for writing television show episodes for American shows up until 2001. Popular television shows from that era of Brian Clemens’ career include Diagnosis: Murder, Remington Steele, Father Dowling Mysteries, and Highlander: The Series.

In a 2010 article published by the Guardian U.K. about Brian Clemens, they state the following.

“Clemens started writing virtually as soon as he was able, penning two homemade books when he was six, getting his first short story published at 12 – short stories being a perfect training for TV writing. He later submitted his first teleplay to the BBC, a dialogue-free thriller called Murder Anonymous.”

The same article goes on to give advice to writers from Brian Clemens that is short and to the point. It states the following.

“Writer’s block has never troubled him. He had simple tips and advice, such as making sure the editor cuts the opening and ending first — uneveness is more forgivable in the middle of a story if it comes in and goes out with a bang. Or the most fundamental secret of writing: ‘There’s no mystery: arse to chair, pen to paper.'”

One of the last interviews with Brian Clemens was by Geek Girl in 2011. He said the following.

“Hitchcock, who is my all-time favourite sort of hero, he made lots of very grim films — but there was always the relief of humour. In Psycho there is humour. That’s very important, to give the audience release; you can screw them up so far, but then you must give them a little release of laughter. My stage plays, no matter how grim they are, I always put in scenes that contain humour. I guess that’s the way I write.”

@MaryamLouise It was my friend Dave – he runs this site http://t.co/RjNQ3hXBu2 and heard it from Ray Austin – directed some of the episodes.

— This Girl (@vintage_ellie) January 11, 2015

@MaryamLouise He said he didn’t think it had hit the news yet.

— This Girl (@vintage_ellie) January 11, 2015

@vintage_ellie Thank you so much for your reply. This is very sad news to hear and I send you my condolences. RIP Brian Clemens.

— Maryam Louise (@MaryamLouise) January 12, 2015

Sad to read about the death of Brian Clemens, one of the greats of cult British television.

— The Monster Hunters (@Huntingmonsters) January 12, 2015

[All images are from the referenced links.]