MEAWW.COM / ENTERTAINMENT / TV

Who was Leonard Goldberg? End of 'Blue Bloods' Season 11 Episode 1 revealed title card with a special tribute

Donnie Wahlberg, sharing a pic of the card, wrote on Twitter, 'One of the things that I am most proud of in my life, is having earned the trust and respect of one of the people whom I trusted and respected most in my life'

Episode 1 of CBS’ police procedural drama, ‘Blue Bloods’ season 11 saw many things happening. Commissioner Francis ‘Frank’ Xavier Reagan (Tom Selleck) and City Council Speaker Regina Thomas (returning guest star Whoopi Goldberg) went head to head on matters of police violence and systemic problems in the NYPD.

Officer Edit ‘Eddie’ Janko-Reagan (Vanessa Ray) helped a Black woman for creating trouble at the morgue, trying to find her father’s body after it was misplaced during the outset of the pandemic. The two had dialogue. And finally, she helped her find closure as they visited the mass grave where he was buried. And Danny (Donnie Wahlberg) and Baez (Marisa Ramirez) briefly found themselves captured and restrained while searching for a killer.

At the end of the episode, viewers saw a title card that paid a special tribute to one Leonard Goldberg. As the episode finished airing, Donnie Wahlberg, who plays Detective Daniel ‘Danny’ Fitzgerald Reagan, wrote on Twitter, “One of the things that I am most proud of in my life, is having earned the trust and respect of one of the people whom I trusted and respected most in my life. Thank you for believing in me LG! Miss you and love you my friend.”

Some fans on Twitter also reacted to this. One of them wrote, “I loved it all tonight. GREAT SEASON OPENER!!! I didn't realize Leonard Goldberg passed away exactly one year ago tonight. Bless your heart.” Another fan said, “Much love Rip Leonard Goldberg #BlueBloodsFriday.” One fan said, "#Thankful for him. So sorry for your loss, Donnie. I may not have known LG personally, but sad he’s passed & he influenced my life without even knowing it. #BlueBloods."

So, who was Leonard Goldberg?

The American film and television producer died at the age of 85 last year on December 4, making this episode the first year anniversary of the incident. In his career, he was at the helm of several landmark projects like ‘Charlie’s Angels’, ‘Broadcast News’, ‘Brian’s Song’, and ‘The Simpsons’. He also served as executive producer of ‘Blue Bloods’. 

During his many decades in show business, Goldberg worked at ABC from 1961-69 reaching the position of head of programming. He then served as vice president of production at Screen Gems (now Columbia Pictures Television) from 1969-72. He was p the president of Twentieth Century Fox from 1987-89. He launched Panda and Mandy Films in 1984.

In the aftermath of his death, Selleck said, “He had a good sense of humor and a great sense of irony about the business. But he loved what he did -- and he pioneered an awful lot of stuff, from television to movies to running a studio. And he always conducted his business with civility and kindness. He treated people with respect, which is not always the case in this industry.”

In addition to his wife Wendy Howard, Goldberg is survived by his daughter, Amanda, an author; stepsons Richard, a producer, and John, the mayor of Beverly Hills; their spouses; and five grandchildren.

New episodes of ‘Blue Bloods’ Season 11 airs Fridays at 10 pm ET on CBS Network.