HOLLYWOOD -- The Writers Guild of America West has named the late David Angell, who died Sept. 11 on a hijacked plane, as this year's recipient of the Valentine Davies Award.
Angell, co-creator of "Frasier" and "Wings," will be honored at the guild's 54th annual awards ceremony Saturday.
The Valentine Davies Award is given to writers "who have contributed to the entertainment industry as well as the community at large, and who have brought dignity and honor to the profession of writing everywhere." Past recipients include Fay and Michael Kanin, Garry Marshall, Hal Kanter, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, Mary McCall Jr., Phil Alden Robinson, Norman Lear, Ray Bradbury, Barry Kemp, Philip Dunne, Alan Alda and Paul Haggis.
"In life, David Angell was a real gentleman, bringing a kindness and warmth to his scripts, his shows and his staff," said WGAW prexy Victoria Riskin. "In death, he has become an inspiration to many who never knew him personally."
Angell broke into show business in 1982 by selling a script to "Archie Bunker's Place" and then moved to "Cheers," becoming a producer by the show's fourth season. He co-created "Frasier" and "Wings" with Peter Casey and David Lee and won eight Emmys as a writer and producer for the shows.
Contact Dave McNary at
dave.mcnary@variety.com