David Wise, writer of Emmy-winning Star Trek: The Animated Series episode, has died
Star Trek: The Animated Series “How Sharper Than a Serpent’s Tooth”
Respected television animation writer David Wise, who wrote the Star Trek: The Animated Series episode “How Sharper Than a Serpent’s Tooth”, has died. His death on Tuesday, March 3rd, was announced on his Twitter account. The announcement read: “After a tough battle with lung cancer, David Wise passed away peacefully at home last night surrounded by family. Please feel free to tag this account to express your condolences. All are welcome here, just as they were in David's life: friend, family, peer, fan, all of you.”
After a tough battle with lung cancer, David Wise passed away peacefully at home last night surrounded by family. Please feel free to tag this account to express your condolences. All are welcome here, just as they were in David's life: friend, family, peer, fan, all of you.
— David Wise (@DavidWiseSF) March 4, 2020
In Star Trek circles, Wise is best known for writing the only “classic Star Trek” episode to win an Emmy. Memory Alpha quotes Wise himself in the audio commentary for “How Sharper Than a Serpent’s Tooth”: “When Filmation submitted Star Trek for the Best Children’s Series Emmy, [this was] the episode they submitted.” Wise’s co-writer Russell Bates also commented that “[the episode] became the only credential submitted when Filmation received an Emmy nomination for the series, and thus was instrumental in the winning of a 1975 Emmy Award”, the franchise’s first Emmy win.
My husband @DavidWiseSF lecturing about animation @ 11. (His hand-animated films played in NYC alongside John Waters' works, among others.) As 17 he taught lit at his HS. At 19 he co-wrote the STAR TREK: ANIMATED episode that won STAR TREK an Emmy. Don't underestimate kids. pic.twitter.com/sZZNgLBYg0
— Audry Taylor (@AudryT) December 10, 2019
Outside of Star Trek, Wise was known for his numerous credits as a television animation writer. Among his work are episodes of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, The Transformers, Chip N’ Dale Rescue Rangers, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Please join me in sending condolences to Wise’s family.
