Wilford Lloyd Baumes, Creator of The Love Boat, Dies at 86 in Cincinnati

Wilford Lloyd Baumes, the acclaimed TV writer and producer known for creating The Love Boat, passed away on Sunday at the age of 86, as announced by his family. A resident of Cincinnati, Baumes was also recognized for his work on Wonder Woman and the Emmy-winning miniseries QB VII.

Legacy of Wilford Lloyd Baumes in Television

Baumes, who collaborated closely with producer Douglas S. Cramer, made significant contributions to television history. He created The Love Boat, which premiered in 1977 and ran for nine seasons until 1987. The show became a cultural phenomenon, blending romance and comedy aboard a cruise ship.

Initially, two pilots for the series were produced and later discarded. However, Cramer secured the rights to the show after reading a review of a book by Jeraldine Saunders. Cramer said, “It was a tacky three-dollar paperback about how easy it was to get laid aboard a cruise ship.” Ultimately, the series found success with actor Gavin MacLeod cast as Captain Merrill Stubing.

Notable Works and Collaborations

In addition to The Love Boat, Baumes wrote and produced several notable television films and series. His 1974 miniseries QB VII, based on a novel by Leon Uris, earned seven Emmys and significant viewership for ABC. The six-hour production was a pivotal moment in his career.

Baumes also contributed to the 1975 pilot of Wonder Woman, starring Lynda Carter, and produced various telefilms including Who Is the Black Dahlia? and Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway.

Personal Life and Career Transition

Born on November 24, 1939, Baumes grew up in Amberley Village, Ohio, as one of three sons of a local doctor. He graduated from Walnut Hills High School and attended Dennison University, later earning a master’s degree from UC Berkeley. Baumes served in the U.S. Navy before embarking on his television career.

After leaving show business in the early 1980s, he focused on creating homesteads that gained recognition in publications like Santa Barbara Magazine and Architectural Digest. He is survived by his nephew, Ross, and niece, Lee Ann. Donations in his memory are suggested to the Alzheimer's Association.