The comedy community is mourning the loss of Eric Gilliland, a celebrated writer known for his work on iconic TV shows. Gilliland, who had been battling cancer, passed away on September 1. His death was confirmed by the US-based news portal Variety, leaving fans and colleagues alike in deep sorrow.
Born in Illinois and a 1984 graduate of Northwestern University, Gilliland’s career was marked by his sharp wit and unique comedic voice. He gained prominence as a writer for the popular ABC sitcom Roseanne, where he worked from 1992 to 1996. His association with the show continued years later when he served as a consultant on The Conners in 2019. His talent was recognized early on, as his first major writing role was on the sitcom Who’s the Boss? He subsequently contributed to other popular shows like Living Dolls, The Wonder Years, Doogie Howser, M.D., That ’70s Show, and My Boys.
Gilliland’s career wasn’t confined to television alone. His last project was a nostalgic podcast titled The Cinnamon Bear: A Holiday Adventure, demonstrating his versatile storytelling ability. His remarkable contributions to television earned him significant accolades, including a Writers Guild of America (WGA) Award nomination in 1994 for his work on Roseanne and a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2019 for the children’s program The Was Was? Show.
The news of Gilliland’s passing prompted an outpouring of grief and heartfelt tributes from his friends and colleagues. Modern Family co-creator Steve Levitan took to Facebook to reminisce about their long-standing friendship, which began in the eighth grade. Levitan’s tribute highlighted their mutual love for classic shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show, Monty Python, and The Carol Burnett Show. “Eric was just plain smart and funny,” Levitan wrote. “In high school, we did plays and musicals and comedy assemblies, parts of which we even co-wrote. He somehow pulled off the impossible of being biting and sweet at the same time.”
Levitan humorously recalled how Gilliland had dubbed him “The man with a thousand voices” due to his own poor accent skills during their radio show Little Bucky, where they worked alongside friends Thalia Kalodimos and Betsy Brennan. The deep bond they shared over humor and creativity was evident in Levitan’s touching words.
Stan Zimmerman, another writer who collaborated with Gilliland on Roseanne, also expressed his sorrow, underscoring the lasting impact Gilliland had on those he worked with and inspired.
Eric Gilliland‘s legacy will continue to live on through his unforgettable work in comedy. His ability to blend sharp humor with heartfelt emotion made him a cherished figure in the entertainment industry, and his loss will be felt deeply by fans and colleagues alike.