Wilford Lloyd Baumes, the creator of “The Love Boat” and writer-producer on the “Wonder Woman” TV series, died at 86 Sunday.
The producer also worked on the critically acclaimed Holocaust miniseries “QB VII” and the comedy series “Bridget Loves Bernie.” His first executive producer credit came on the TV movie “Call Her Mom.”
Baumes frequently collaborated with producer and executive Douglas S. Cramer while at Paramount Television and Spelling Television, where they developed “The Love Boat” franchise together.
The family confirmed his death with an obituary Wednesday. Baumes was a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio and formerly Santa Barbara, Calif. His family said he passed away peacefully.
Cramer also wrote and produced the 1974 ABC television movie “Sorority Kill” before working on “The Love Boat” franchise. The first two pilots were later adapted into TV movies. “The Love Boat” premiered in 1977 and ran for 10 seasons through 1987.
He also produced with Cramer for NBC the 1975 TV movie “Who Is the Black Dahlia?,” starring Lucie Arnaz as Elizabeth Short, and the 1976 film “Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway,” directed by Randal Kleiser and starring Eve Plumb.
Baumes was one of three sons born to a Cincinnati-based doctor in November 1939. He graduated from Walnut Hills High School and Denison University and earned a master’s degree in design from UC Berkeley. He later served in the U.S. Navy.
The producer did not have children but was affectionately known as “Uncle Bud,” according to his family. He is survived by a nephew, a niece, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
