Eric Gilliland, an acclaimed comedy writer known for his sharp wit and memorable TV scripts, has died at the age of 65. According to Variety, Gilliland succumbed to cancer on September 1, 2024.
Gilliland was born and raised in Illinois and began his career as a comedian after graduating from Northwestern University in 1984. He made a name for himself as a screenwriter with his work on the hit ABC comedy “Roseanne,” which he starred in from 1992 to 1996. He also showed his talent in his later role as a consultant on “The Conners” in 2019.
Gilliland’s career has been marked by a wide range of projects. He first rose to prominence with his screenplay for “Who’s the Boss?” and went on to work on popular shows such as “Living Dolls,” “The Wonder Years,” “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” “That ’70s Show” and “My Boys.” Most recently, he worked on the podcast “The Cinnamon Bear: A Holiday Adventure,” which continued his tradition of compelling storytelling.
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Throughout his career, Eric Gilliland has received notable accolades. In 1994, he was nominated for a WGA Award for his work on “Roseanne.” Most recently, in 2019, he received a Daytime Emmy nomination for his screenplay for the children’s show “The Was Was? Show.”
Gilliland’s death sparked an outpouring of condolences in the entertainment industry. Steve Levitan, co-creator of “Modern Family,” shared his memories of Gilliland on Facebook. Levitan recalled their shared love of classic comedy, mentioning, “Eric and I bonded over our mutual admiration for ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’ and other comedic gems like Monty Python and SNL. Eric was incredibly smart and witty and had a unique ability to combine sharpness and sweetness in his humor.”
Levitan recalled their high school years and their participation in plays and comedy sketches. He described Gilliland’s talent for humor, saying, “Eric had this incredible talent for being both snarky and lovable. I remember him affectionately calling me ‘The Man with a Thousand Voices’ during our local radio show ‘Little Bucky’ because I had trouble with my accent.”
Stan Zimmerman, a fellow “Roseanne” star, also expressed his sadness over Gilliland’s death. Zimmerman’s obituary underscored the influence Gilliland had on his colleagues and the industry in general.
Gilliland’s death marks the end of a stellar career that brought laughter to many. His contributions to television and his ability to create engaging, humorous content left a lasting impression on audiences and fellow writers alike. As the industry remembers him, Gilliland’s legacy as a master of comedy endures.
