\n\tTim O\u2019Donnell, the veteran comedy writer-director known for his work on sitcoms including \u201cGrowing Pains,\u201d \u201cDave\u2019s World\u201d and \u201cPhil of the Future,\u201d has died. He was 77.<\/p>\n
\n\tO\u2019Donnell 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.<\/p>\n
\n\tO\u2019Donnell 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.<\/p>\n
\n\tMore recently, O\u2019Donnell had worked with Sony Pictures on the studio\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cTim knew everybody, and he was an astute observer of the business,\u201d said Brian Lowry, a Variety alum and media biz commentator. \u201cAs 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\tO\u2019Donnell 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.<\/p>\n
\n\tO\u2019Donnell eventually moved into narrative TV, serving as a writer, producer and director on such series as ABC\u2019s \u201cGrowing Pains\u201d and \u201cClueless,\u201d CBS\u2019 \u201cDave\u2019s World\u201d and the short-lived TV adaptation of the 1989 John Candy film \u201cUncle Buck,\u201d also for CBS. He worked on ABC\u2019s \u201cHome Free,\u201d an early role for Matthew Perry, and Disney Channel\u2019s live-action comedy \u201cPhil of the Future.\u201d <\/p>\n
\n\tO\u2019Donnell was married to Cara O\u2019Donnell for nearly 39 years. His survivors include four children: daughter Kit Michelle O\u2019Donnell Sparke, and three daughters from his first marriage to Vicki Marshall: Shannon O\u2019Donnell Provatas, Carrie O\u2019Donnell VanAckeren and Bridget Morpurgo. He is also survived by four grandchildren.<\/p>\n