CBS’ new drama The Equalizer dedicated its premiere to the series’ executive producer Richard Lindheim, who died Jan. 18 of heart failure at the age of 81. The post-Super Bowl debut, which likely attracted tens of millions of viewers, ended with a card that read, “Dedicated to the memory of Richard Lindheim.” (You can see it below.)
A veteran TV executive, Lindheim co-created the 1985 series The Equalizer, which ran on CBS for four years and spawned a hit movie starring Denzel Washington and a CBS series reimagening, headlined by Queen Latifah. Lindheim executive produced the new series, which landed the highest-profile premiere slot possible, behind the Super Bowl.
“He was watching dailies of The Equalizer til the last day; he was so excited to see the show go into production and was ready to tune in and watch the premiere,” Lindheim’s son-in-law Ezra Dweck told Deadline at the time of his death.
