Tim O’Donnell, the veteran comedy writer-director known for his work on sitcoms including “Growing Pains,” “Dave’s World” and “Phil of the Future,” has died. He was 77.
O’Donnell died at his home in Glendale, Calif. on July 27. He had struggled with bladder cancer for three years. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Oct. 25 at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills.
O’Donnell was known for his versatility and skill at shaping network TV comedies during the modern heyday of sitcoms. He was also active with the Writers Guild of America West, serving twice on contract negotiating committees and as a board member.
More recently, O’Donnell had worked with Sony Pictures on the studio’s efforts to develop local-language adaptations of sitcoms. He traveled to Russia and China in the 2000s to help instruct local producers on how to craft American-style sitcoms.
“Tim knew everybody, and he was an astute observer of the business,” said Brian Lowry, a Variety alum and media biz commentator. “As a former news guy, he also recognized the absurdities that populated his new sphere and had the ability not only to laugh at them, but to make others laugh at them as well.”
O’Donnell grew up in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County and attended Loyola University. His career as a scribe began in local news in Chicago, working for CBS-owned radio and TV stations. He earned local Emmy Awards for his news writing and on-air editorials. He then moved to the West Coast to work for KCBS-TV Los Angeles, where he wrote for the legendary reporter Bill Stout.
O’Donnell eventually moved into narrative TV, serving as a writer, producer and director on such series as ABC’s “Growing Pains” and “Clueless,” CBS’ “Dave’s World” and the short-lived TV adaptation of the 1989 John Candy film “Uncle Buck,” also for CBS. He worked on ABC’s “Home Free,” an early role for Matthew Perry, and Disney Channel’s live-action comedy “Phil of the Future.”
O’Donnell was married to Cara O’Donnell for nearly 39 years. His survivors include four children: daughter Kit Michelle O’Donnell Sparke, and three daughters from his first marriage to Vicki Marshall: Shannon O’Donnell Provatas, Carrie O’Donnell VanAckeren and Bridget Morpurgo. He is also survived by four grandchildren.
The family requests that RSVPs for the Oct. 25 memorial service be sent to jmtsutsui@gmail.com. There will also be a livestream available at this link.