Jeff Harris (writer) explained

Jeff Harris
Birth Name:Jeff Steve Harris
Birth Date:10 June 1935
Death Place:East Hampton, New York, U.S.
Education:New York's High School of Performing Arts[1]
Occupation:Television actor, producer, writer
Spouse:Judy Harris
Children:2

Jeff Steve Harris (June 10, 1935 – February 2, 2004) was an American television actor, producer and writer. He was the co-creator of the American television family sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, which he created with Bernie Kukoff.

Harris co-scripted the 1984 film Johnny Dangerously with Bernie Kukoff, Harry Colomby and Norman Steinberg. His other credits include, Roseanne, Love, American Style, Operation Petticoat, Detective School and The New Dick Van Dyke Show. He also appeared in two Broadway plays Winesburg, Ohio and Tall Story. Harris died in February 2004 of emphysema in his sleep, at his home in East Hampton, New York, at the age of 68.[2] [3] [4] [5]

Filmography

Acting work

YearTitleRoleNotes
1954 The Web 1 episode
1954 Pond's Theater Young Snappy 1 episode
1954 Justice 1 episode
1954 Janet Dean, Registered Nurse 1 episode
1955 Appointment with Adventure Danny 1 episode
1955 Star Tonight 1 episode
1955 Playwrights '56 1 episode
1956 The Edge of Night Jenning Carlson 1 episode
1961 Naked City Fred 1 episode

Producing work

YearTitleNotes
1967 Pat Boone in Hollywood Producer
1969-1970 Jimmy Durante Presents the Lennon Sisters Producer - 13 episodes
1970 The Everly Brothers Show Producer - 1 Episode
1971 The Val Doonican Show Producer - 2 episodes
1973 A Salute to Humble Howard Producer (TV Special)
1973 A Show Business Salute to Milton Berle Producer (TV Special)
1974 Ma and Pa Producer (TV Movie)
1974 ABC Funshine Saturday Sneak Peek Producer (TV Movie)
1975-1976 Almost Anything Goes Producer - 2 episodes
1975 Joe and Sons Producer - 1 Episode
1976 Adventurizing with the Chopper Executive Producer (TV Movie)
1977 McNamara's Band Executive Producer (TV Movie)
1978 That Thing on ABC Producer (TV Movie)
1978-1979 Operation Petticoat Executive Producer - 9 episodes
1979 Detective School Executive Producer - 13 episodes
1980 All-American Pie Executive Producer (TV Movie)
1986 Dads Executive Producer - 1 Episode
1988 Cadets Executive Producer (TV Movie)
1989-1990 Roseanne Executive Producer - 34 episodes

Writing work

YearTitleNotes
1966 The Roger Miller Show Writer - 1 Episode
1967 Las Vegas Writer - 1 Episode
1967 First Annual All-Star Celebrity Softball Game Writer (TV Special)
1968 Writer - 2 episodes
1969 The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour Writer - 3 episodes
1969-1970 Jimmy Durante Presents the Lennon Sisters Writer - 13 episodes
1970 The Everly Brothers Show Writer - 1 Episode
1971 The Val Doonican Show Writer - 1 Episode
1973 A Touch of Grace Writer - 1 Episode
1973 ABC Comedy News Writer - 1 Episode
1973 Love, American Style Writer - 1 Episode
1973 The New Dick Van Dyke Show Writer - 1 Episode
1974 ABC Funshine Saturday Sneak Peek Writer (TV Movie)
1975 Almost Anything Goes Writer - 1 Episode
1976 Adventurizing with the Chopper Writer (TV Movie)
1977 McNamara's Band Creator/Writer (TV Movie)
1978 That Thing on ABC Writer (TV Movie)
1978-1986 Diff'rent Strokes Creator/Writer - 181 episodes
1978-1979 Operation Petticoat Writer - 5 episodes
1979 Detective School Writer - 9 episodes
1980 All-American Pie Writer (TV Movie)
1984 Johnny Dangerously Writer (Film)
1985 Comedy Factor Writer - 1 Episode
1986-1987 Dads Developer/Writer - 9 episodes
1988 Cadets Writer (TV Movie)

Notes and References

  1. News: Jeff Harris, 68; Producer of TV's 'Roseanne' Also Was a Director, Writer. April 22, 2021.
  2. Web site: Jeff Harris Co-creator of "Diff'rent Strokes". 4 February 2004 . April 22, 2021.
  3. Web site: Jeff Harris Obituary (1935 - 2004) - The New York Times. . April 22, 2021.
  4. Book: Theatre World (Volume 60). 317. April 21, 2006. Applause. 9781557836502.
  5. Book: Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2004. McFarland. 158. 2004. 9780786421039 .