Trivia

Stepfather of Sean Murray (Tim McGee on NCIS (2003)) and Chad W. Murray (sons of Vivienne Bellisario).

Father of Nicholas Bellisario and Troian Bellisario from his third wife, Deborah Pratt.

His favourite of the television series that he has created is Quantum Leap (1989).

His mother, Dana (Lapcevic), was of Serbian descent, and his father, Albert Jethro Bellisario, was of Italian descent.

Father of four (including Julie B. Watson and the late David Bellisario) by his first marriage, to Margaret Schaffran.

Received his Bachelor's degree in journalism from Pennsylvania State University (1961). In 2001, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus -- the highest honor bestowed on a graduate of the University. In 2006, he endowed a $1 million Trustee Matching Scholarship in the Penn State College of Communications.

Father of Michael Bellisario from his second wife, Lynn Halpern.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 7080 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on March 2, 2004.

Served in the United States Marine Corps from January 1955 to January 1959, under service number 1522597. Was discharged as a Sergeant and was awarded the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. A fellow Marine at the time was Lee Harvey Oswald (suspected assassin of President John F. Kennedy); this was later referenced in the two-part episode entitled, "Lee Harvey Oswald", on Quantum Leap (1989).

Father-in-law of actor-producer Patrick J. Adams.

Attended Butler Community College in El Dorado, Kansas.

On October 27, 2016, he received the Visionary Award at the UCLA Neurosurgery Visionary Ball.