A small tribute from one fan:-
A major television wordsmith of the 1980's and 1990s, Joe Michael Straczynski
was born in 1954, the son of a blue-collar plastics worker ‘who had a unique economic philosophy, which was blow
into town, run up a lot of bills, and split. So, as a result, we were always on the move.’
He and grew up knowing the New Jersey streets, the public library, and television. This lead to a deep appreciation and understanding of the works of Rod Serling, Paddy Chayefsky, and Harlan Ellison.
He wrote articles and plays while in high school, and his first commission was the school who requested a comedy which was performed in front of a full assembly. When seventeen he'd decided it was time to start writing.
Sending one-act and full-length plays to theaters, a local theater wrote back suggesting a meeting. Once he convinced them that he really was the author they went ahead with the production. Writing while at various colleges, he had one play performed for 20 weeks and published. As a side line he earned degrees in sociology and psychology, with minors in philosophy and literature.
This allowed him to teach creative writing at San Diego State University, while writing articles for leading magazines and newspapers.
In 1981 his desire to try his hand in the television media full time drew him to L.A. and the start of an impressive script writting career. Soon after he went from writer, to story editor, then producer, and eventually executive producer. "Executive producer, and nobody rewrites you anymore. My style of writing is very personal and eccentric, and that was the only way to protect the words." J. Michael Straczynski
A prolific writer through the 1970's and 80's, in the 90's he still disiplines himself with ten hours writing a day. This is a 'millionaire' who works for his living.
In early 1995, Newsweek magazine created a Who’s Who of 50 of the ‘most influential thinkers-inovators who will shape our lives as we move into the 21st century.’ That elite group - which is designated the ‘Captains in the information revolution’ - included, not surprisingly, such figures figures as Steven Jobs (the co-founder of Apple and more recently NEXT), Tim Berners-Lee (the inventor of the World Wide Web), and Kevin Kelly (the executive editor of Wired). But of all the individuals who have in one way or another moved the goal posts in film and television, there was only one name...that of J. Michael Straczynski.
Among the other honors which have come Straczynski’s way are three prestigious nominations:-
A Writer’s Guild Award
An Ace Award for his adaptation of the episode, ‘The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,’ on Showtime’ ‘Nightmare Classics’
An Academy of Canadian Television and Cinema Gemini Award for an episode of ‘Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future’.
He has also received the coveted Horror Writer’s of America’s Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel, for his book, Demon Night. Certainly, Babylon 5 would never have earned its two Emmy Awards, and three Emmy nominations - as well as numerous other honors - if it hadn’t been for Straczynski.
The following is a Partial Career Chronology:
1976-79: Writer for 'Mutual Radio Theater'.
1979-81: Entertainment editor/reviewer for KSDO-AM Newsradio in San Diego (half hour weekly).
1981-91: A scriptwriter columnist for Writer's Digest.
1982: Wrote "Complete Book of Scriptwriting" published by Writers Digest Books. Is still a university standard on scriptwriting.
1984: Staff writer on animated 'He-Man and the Masters of the Universe' for Filmation Studios.
1985: Staff writer on animated 'She-Ra, Princess of Power' for Filmation Studios.
1986: Wrote 14 of the scripts for 'Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors' by DIC Enterprises.
Co-wrote series bible and pilot of 'Elfquest' for CBS/Zander Prods.
Presented two stories and had one produced for 'The Twilight Zone' by CBS/Persistence of Vision.
Wrote series bible, pilot and episodes of animated 'The Real Ghostbusters' by Columbia Pictures Television, ABC and DIC Enterprises.
1986-87: Executive story consultant for 'Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future' by Landmark Entertainment Group.
1987-88: Story editor for 'The Twilight Zone' by London Films/CBS International/ MGM-UA Television.
1987-92: Host for 'Hour 25', a two hour sci-fi talk show for KPFK-FM in L.A.
1988: Wrote 'Demon Night' a novel published by E P Dutton Publication. Nominated Best First Novel for Bram Stoker Award.
Writer for the bible and pilot of 'Batman' by ABC/Nelvana Entertainment.
1988-89: Wrote more episodes and primetime Halloween special of 'The Real Ghostbusters'. The series was nominated Best Animated Series for 1990 Emmy.
1989: Wrote 'Tales from the New Twilight Zone' anthology based on his scripts published by Bantam/Spectra Books.
Wrote two one-hour adaptations for 'Nightmare Classics' by Think Entertainment/Showtime. 'The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde' was nominated for Writer's Guild and Ace Awards.
1989-90: Executive story consultant of 'Jake and The Fatman'.
1989-91: Developed 'V: The Next Chapter' for Warner Bros.
1990: Wrote 'Othersyde' a novel published by E P Dutton.
1991-92: Producer for two seasons of 'Murder, She Wrote' for CBS/Universal. Also wrote several episodes.
1993: Supervising producer 'Walker, Texas Ranger' for CBS/Cannon Television.
1993-98: Creator/writer/executive producer 'Babylon 5'.
1995: Wrote pilot for 'Guardians' a sci-fi series.
J.Michael Straczynski in his only appearance in Babylon 5.
A few moments before the end of the last episode [Sleeping in Light], he appears as the technician who turns off the lights, shortly before Babylon 5 is destroyed.