Glen A. Larson

Glen A. Larson was the visionary behind the original Battlestar Galactica science fiction media franchise, which first aired in 1978. He conceived the premise, initially titled "Adam's Ark," in the late 1960s, envisioning a cosmic tale inspired by ancient astronaut theories and Mormon theology. This initial concept evolved into the story of humanity's last survivors fleeing a robotic enemy across space in search of a mythical home.

The 1978 series, produced by Larson, launched with an unprecedented budget of $1 million per episode, aiming for cinematic spectacle on television. Larson also incorporated several themes from Mormon theology into the show, such as the concept of a "council of twelve" and "sealing for time and eternity" (marriage). His creative efforts defined the core elements of the Battlestar Galactica universe, including the Twelve Colonies, the genocidal Cylons, and the quest for the lost thirteenth colony, Earth. He also co-wrote several of the original Battlestar Galactica novelisations.

While Larson was the driving force behind the original series and its short-lived sequel, Galactica 1980, his direct involvement in later iterations of the franchise was more limited. He received a "Consulting Producer" credit for the 2003 miniseries and subsequent 2004 television series, and a screen credit for the creation of certain characters in the prequel series Caprica. Glen A. Larson passed away in 2014, leaving behind a significant legacy as the creator who brought the Battlestar Galactica universe to life.