#Los Angeles airs title card

Who is David Bellisario? If you find yourself wondering this question after the events of the NCIS: Los Angeles premiere, we have information within.

In the closing seconds of tonight’s premiere, there was a title card dedicating the episode to David Bellisario, who we know tragically passed away over the summer at the age of 63. David was the son of legendary television producer Donald P. Bellisario, the man who created the entire NCIS franchise. David worked across both the flagship NCIS as well as NCIS: Los Angeles as a producer, and helped oversaw both of the series as they continued to be among the biggest hits on television.

The title card referred to David Bellisario as a friend and colleague, and also praised him for both his “gentleness” and “wisdom.” We have come to learn over the years that the NCIS franchise is a very tight-knit community, with a number of the cast and crew having relationships that last over a decade. They are a family, and a loss within a family is an extremely painful thing.

Title cards are one of the best ways for anyone to be honored at the end of a television episode. They will live on in the years that follow its initial air date, and allow viewers a chance to learn about you — which may lead to them seeking out more information on their own. It’s a powerful message, especially since it is the last thing a viewer will see and remember coming out of an episode.

Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of David Bellisario during what must continue to be a difficult time. (Photo: CBS.)