TV Comedy Writer Sam Denoff Dies; Got Start At WNEW/New York

Comedy writer and producer SAM DENOFF, best known as, with writing partner BILL PERSKY, the writer of classic episodes of shows like "THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW," died FRIDAY (7/8) at 83, according to VARIETY.  DENOFF suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

After working as a page at NBC in NEW YORK, DENOFF got his start in radio at WNEW-A/NEW YORK, where he worked in the continuity department and met PERSKY; the team wrote for WILLIAM B. WILLIAMS before moving to LOS ANGELES in 1961 to work in television at "THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW."  After writing a MARINELAND special for LLOYD BRIDGES and for "THE ANDY WILLIAMS SHOW," PERSKY and DENOFF wrote scripts for "MCHALE'S NAVY" and "THE JOEY BISHOP SHOW," then joined VAN DYKE's show, where they wrote most of the episodes in the final three seasons.  The team later created the radio-themed situation comedy "GOOD MORNING WORLD" and MARLO THOMAS' starring vehicle "THAT GIRL."  

PERSKY and DENOFF won several EMMY Awards for their work before the team broke up.  On his own, DENOFF worked on several shows, including "IT'S GARRY SHANDLING'S SHOW," "HARRY AND THE HENDERSONS," and "LIFE WITH BONNIE."

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