Gary Dontzig, a three-time Emmy-winning writer-producer known for his work on 'Murphy Brown,' has died at age 79. He passed away on February 23 in Los Angeles following a sudden, brief illness. His longtime collaborator Steven Peterman described him as the hardest-working saint in show business.
Gary Dontzig, born on March 18, 1946, in New York City, began his career as an actor, appearing as a guest on series such as The Waltons, Chico and the Man, One Day at a Time, Too Close for Comfort, and Laverne & Shirley. He also performed on stage at L.A.’s Mark Taper Forum and played Patrick opposite Angela Lansbury in a touring production of Mame.
Dontzig met his longtime writing partner Steven Peterman during a show at the Old Globe theater in San Diego. They joined the original writing staff of CBS comedy Murphy Brown when it launched in 1988 as a comeback vehicle for Candice Bergen, who portrayed the ace reporter for a TV newsmagazine. The series became a Top 10 ratings success by its third season. Dontzig and Peterman co-wrote 25 episodes, including the Season 5 opener responding to then-Vice President Dan Quayle’s remarks about the character's decision to have a baby as a single woman. They were involved in 150 episodes overall as producers and shared Emmys for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1990 and 1992, plus one for writing in 1991. They received additional Comedy Series Emmy nominations in 1991 and 1993. After Season 4, creator Diane English promoted them to executive producers.
The duo later developed and executive produced the first three years of NBC’s Suddenly Susan, starring Brooke Shields. They spent two years on Fox Family’s State of Grace, earning a Humanitas Prize nomination. Following a stint on the final season of Ted Danson’s CBS sitcom Becker, they rewrote the script for Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, starring Miley Cyrus, and co-executive produced the pilot with creator Michael Poryes.
Peterman told Deadline, “He was, as I often called him to his face, the hardest-working saint in show business. I’ve spent much of my adult life trying to be as nice a person, and it’s a frustrating, impossible task. I will miss him like a brother.”
Known to friends as “Dr. Dontzig,” he and his life partner of over 30 years, artist Gary Campbell, advocated for AIDS victims during the 1980s crisis and supported various charities and political causes. Dontzig also wrote plays and taught at American University’s drama school in Washington, D.C. He is survived by his sister Lois Pierris, niece Claudine, and cousins. A celebration of life is being planned, with donations requested to the New Mexico Wildlife Center, Santa Fe Animal Shelter, or PETA.
