Obituary: The Equalizer Co Creator Michael Sloan Dies

Obituary notes the death of Michael Sloan, co creator of The Equalizer, and husband of Melissa Sue Anderson.

Co-Creator Of The Equalizer Dies At 78

Michael Fred Sloan died on August 13 at age 78, according to a family statement that did not specify a location or a cause. Born October 14, 1946 in New York City to a show business family, Sloan grew up around Broadway and later wrote and produced feature films in London before returning to the United States. He wrote the Columbo episode Now You See Him in 1976 and later earned an Emmy nomination for Quincy M.E. He worked on a range of programs including Battlestar Galactica, The Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mysteries, McCloud, Kung Fu The Legend Continues and The Return of the Man From UNCLE, establishing himself as a versatile writer producer.

Michael Sloan is best remembered for his co creation of The Equalizer with Richard Lindheim. The show ran from 1985 to 1989 and later inspired a 2021 reboot and a film franchise with Denzel Washington. Sloan served as a producer on the films and wrote a series of Equalizer novels. For the stage, Sloan wrote Underground, a 1989 thriller produced in Toronto and on London's West End. He is survived by wife Melissa Sue Anderson and their children Piper and Griffin, and sister Judy. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations go to the ASPCA in honor of Michael who loved animals.

Sloan shows how a writer can build a durable IP across TV and film. The Equalizer arrived during a moment when audiences wanted morally complex heroes who do more than shoot first. The reboot and the film franchise show how fans stay attached to well written characters and stories.

His career spanning stage, television and novels reveals a creator who connected different media and audiences. The obituary frames his life as a blend of family roots and a wide range of work, a reminder that culture is built by teams as much as by names.

Highlights

His work will continue to influence storytellers who blend grit with humanity.