Emmy award-winning television producer E. Duke Vincent, born Edward Michael Ventimiglia, hails from Jersey City, New Jersey. He graduated from Seton Hall University in 1954, marking the beginning of his illustrious career.
Before venturing into the world of television, Duke served as a Naval Aviator in the United States Navy, flying both fighter and attack aircraft. In 1959, he was selected to join the elite Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team for the 1960-61 seasons. This experience not only honed his skills as a pilot but also sparked his interest in television, as he flew a camera jet to shoot sequences for the NBC Television Series The Blue Angels in 1960.
After completing his tour with the Blue Angels, Duke resigned from the Navy and began his entertainment career in New York with RKO General and Seven Arts, where he wrote and produced documentaries. During this time, he met Danny Thomas and Sheldon Leonard, the executive producers of The Dick Van Dyke Show, which led to the beginning of his long and distinguished television career.
In 1977, Duke met Aaron Spelling, and they became partners in 1978, a collaboration that lasted until Spelling's passing in 2006. In 1982, he married the love of his life, actress Pamela Hensley, known for her roles in Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and Matt Houston.
Throughout his forty-year Hollywood career, Duke amassed an impressive 1600 hours of prime time and 750 hours of daytime television, with several titles becoming huge hits. At the time of his retirement, he held the titles of Executive Producer and Vice Chairman of Spelling Television.
In his post-television career, Duke turned to writing, publishing four novels that showcased his versatility and talent.
