Gary Donzig, a writer and producer on the hit CBS comedy “Murphy Brown,” died on February 23 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 79 years old.
His longtime writing partner, Stephen Peterman, confirmed on Facebook that Donzig died from a rare autoimmune disease.
Donzig began his career as an actor, making guest appearances on such popular shows as “The Waltons,” “Chico and the Man,” “One Day at a Time,” “Too Close for Comfort,” and “Laverne & Shirley.” He also appeared on stage during touring performances of “Beans”.
Donzig met Peterman at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego. The two were part of the original writing staff when Murphy Brown started in 1988. Donzig and Peterman co-wrote 25 episodes of Murphy Brown and were credited as producers for 150 episodes. The two shared the Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1990 and 1992, and received Emmy nominations for Comedy Series in 1991 and 1993, as well as winning Best Original Screenplay in 1991.
Donzig and Peterman then developed and executive produced the first three years of NBC’s comedy series “Suddenly Susan.” The two then starred in the Fox Family series State of Grace for two years, for which they were nominated for a Humanitas Award.
After working on the final season of the sitcom “Becker,” Donzig and Peterman rewrote the original script for the Disney Channel show “Hannah Montana,” which catapulted Miley Cyrus to fame. The two also served as co-executive producers of the pilot along with creator Michael Polies.
Donzig was born on March 18, 1946 in New York City. He taught classes at his alma mater, American University School of Drama in Washington, DC. Donzig and his partner, artist Gary Campbell, were lifelong champions of various charities and political causes, especially for AIDS victims.
Donzig is survived by his sister Lois Piris, niece Claudine, and several cousins.
