Gary Dontzig, a former actor who won three Emmy Awards for his work as a writer and producer on the popular CBS sitcom. Murphy BrownHe died. He was 79 years old.
Stephen Peterman, his writing partner of about 35 years, announced that Dontzig died on February 23 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles of a rare and aggressive autoimmune syndrome.
Starring Candice Bergen, Dontzig and Peterman wrote 25 episodes and co-produced 150 segments over the first six seasons. Murphy Brown.
After being promoted to executive producers by creator Diane English, they wrote (with Corby Ciames) the landmark two-part episode “You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato” that opened the series’ fifth season in 1992 and served as a response to Vice President Dan Quayle’s attack on Murphy’s decision to have a child as a single woman.
The controversy put the show on the front page of a magazine New York Times As a record reached 70 million viewers.
At the Emmys, Dontzig, Peterman and others were nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series from 1990 to 1993 (they won in ’90 and ’92) and for Comedy Writing Awards in 1991 and ’92 (they won in ’91).
Dontzig was born in New York City on March 18, 1946, and appeared in episodes of programs such as… And Tunisia, Chico and the man, One day at a time, Too close for comfort and Laverne and Shirley Patrick played on a national tour of Mami Along with Angela Lansbury, who would become a lifelong friend.
Peterman first met at a play at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego, and they became members of the original writing staff of Murphy Brown. (The pair will return for a reboot of the series in 2018.)
After leaving Murphy BrownDontzig and Peterman developed and then executive produced all three seasons (1996-1999) of the NBC sitcom Suddenly SusanStarring Brooke Shields. They followed that with a 2001-2002 stint on the Fox Family series State of gracewhich introduced Alia Shawkat and May Whitman (the book received a Humanitas nomination in 2002).
After working on the sixth and final season (2003-2004) of the CBS series Bakerstarring Ted Danson, rewrote the original script for what would become the Disney phenomenon Hannah Montanastarring Miley Cyrus, and they co-produced the pilot with series creator Michael Burris.
Dontzig and artist Gary Campbell, his life partner of more than 30 years, were fierce advocates for AIDS victims during the 1980s and beyond, and tireless supporters of a long list of charities and political causes.
The two lived in West Hollywood and eventually added a home near the Georgia O’Keefe Center in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Dontzig split time between those homes until Campbell’s sudden death in 2002, and afterward Hannah As a pilot, he moved permanently to New Mexico where he wrote plays.
He also taught classes at the Drama School at American University in Washington.
“It was Dontzig’s qualities as a human being, not his credit, that made the man so beloved by his fellow actors, writers, crew members and his legion of friends,” Peterman said. He added: “In addition to his sharp intellect, wit and creative talent, he will always be remembered for his great humanity and generosity.”
Survivors include his sister, Lois, and his niece, Claudine.
A celebration of life is being planned. Donations in his memory may be made to the New Mexico Wildlife Center, Santa Fe Animal Shelter and/or PETA.
