Roseanne author Eric Gilliland has died at the age of 62 following a battle with colon cancer.
The sad news surrounding the television broadcaster and producer, who is best known for his work on the successful 1990s sitcom, was confirmed to Variety by his sister Lisa on Monday.
Gilliland served as both producer and writer on the ABC series from 1992 to 1996.
His efforts were recognized when he received a nomination for a Writers Guild of America Award for the 1992 episode “The Dark Ages.”
Roseanne author Eric Gilliland has died at the age of 62 following a battle with colon cancer
Gilliland was producer and writer of the ABC series from 1992 to 1996
The talented Hollywood veteran then worked as a consulting producer for two episodes of the Roseanne spin-off series “The Conners” in 2019.
Gilliland was also known for his work as a consulting producer on the popular teen sitcom That ’70s Show from 1998 to 1999.
During his time on the Fox series, he wrote the third episode of the first season, titled “Streaking.”
The creative has worked as a producer for numerous television series throughout his career, including “Nurses,” “That’s Life,” “Welcome to New York,” “Mr. Sunshine,” and “My Boys.”
He also wrote episodes for many of the above series, including two episodes of “Mr. Sunshine,” which the late Matthew Perry both starred in and co-created, but which only ran briefly on ABC.
Gilliland’s other writing credits include The Wonder Years, Who’s the Boss, Doogie Howser, M.D., Women in Prison, Live-In, Living Dolls, and Married People.
He was recently nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his work on Netflix’s historical sketch comedy series The Who Was? (2019).
He was born and raised in Glenview, Illinois.
The talented Hollywood veteran worked as a consulting producer for two episodes of the Roseanne spin-off series The Conners in 2019.
He (pictured in June 2017) was born and raised in Glenview, Illinois, and graduated from Glenbrook South High School in 1980 before graduating from Northwestern University School of Communication in 1984.
Gilliland graduated from Glenbrook South High School in 1980 before graduating from Northwestern University School of Communication in 1984.
Many members of the entertainment industry paid tribute to the producer and author on social media.
Steve Levitan, co-creator of “Modern Family,” wrote on Facebook on Monday: “I know it’s weird, but I caught myself thinking this morning that Eric Gilliland would have taken perverse pleasure in knowing that Dick Van Dyke, of all people, outlived him.”
“That’s one of the ways Eric and I bonded in 8th grade, over our shared love of the Dick Van Dyke Show. And Monty Python, Jack Benny, the Carol Burnett Show, SNL, and bad puns. (Yes, folks, we started a pun club.)”
Gilliland was also known for his work as a consulting producer on the popular teen sitcom That ’70s Show from 1998 to 1999.
He was recently nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his work on Netflix’s historical sketch comedy series “The Who Was?” in 2019.
Actress Martha Plimpton paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “I can’t find the old pictures at the moment. I don’t really know what to do with myself.”
“Today is more difficult. Without my friend Eric Gilliland, the world is a less happy and less laughing place.”
In his tribute posted on Instagram, actor Dan Bucatinsky called Gilliland “brilliant, sweet, kind, funny, generous.”
He concluded: “His legacy is the wave of love he inspired among so many friends.”
