Eric Gilliland, a television writer and producer known for his work on Roseannehas died. He was 62.

Gilliland died on Sunday, September 1, confirmed his sister Lisa diversity. The cause of death was not disclosed, although the news comes months after the author announced that he had undergone surgery in February after battling stage four colon cancer for years.

A representative for Gilliland did not immediately respond to Weekly entertainmentPlease leave a comment.

The news of Gilliland’s death was followed by heartfelt condolences from friends and former colleagues who wanted to pay their last respects to her.

Steven Levitan, who has produced the following titles among others: Frasier And Modern Familywrote on Facebook that he had known Gilliland since middle school.

“Weird, I know, but I was thinking this morning that Eric Gilliland would have taken a perverse delight in knowing that Dick Van Dyke, of all people, had outlived him,” Levitan wrote. “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.)”

After remembering their school days together, Levitan noticed that Gilliland had a writing gig on Roseanne In the early 1990s, he was inspired by his dream of working in television. “Such a job would have seemed completely out of my reach if I hadn’t known someone who had actually done it,” he wrote. “I thought, if Eric was brave enough to take such a risk, I should be too. I owe him a lot for that.”

He added: “I’m really sad that we never had the chance to work together and that we let so much time pass between visits. Rest in peace, little Bucky. But first, give a big bow with a mischievous face. You deserve it.”

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Deadpool and Wolverine Star Ryan Reynolds also paid tribute to Gilliland, writing: “He was kind. And gentle. And hilarious. And incapable of having a conversation that was cruel or put anyone down. It’s a tragedy that he’s gone, and a tragedy that more people won’t have the chance to know him.”

He added that Gilliland was an important mentor figure early in his career, “helping me grow and find my voice.”

Actress Martha Plimpton also remembered Gilliland by sharing several photos of the writer with the caption: “I don’t really know what to do with myself. Today is harder. The world is a less happy and laughter-filled place without my friend @ergill2, Eric Gilliland.”

In his own tribute post, scandal Actor Dan Bucaitinksy wrote: “There are no words. For a man who was so good with his… brilliant. Sweet. Kind. FUNNY. Generous. His legacy is the outpouring of love he inspired in so many friends. Heartbreaking.”

Michael Fishman, who performed as DJ Roseannealso wrote an obituary on Instagram. “Heaven has gained another great author,” he wrote. “They always take the best. I know they’re laughing their heads off. Eric Gilliland is unforgettable with his endless dry wit and encyclopedia of knowledge.”

Gilliland was born on March 28, 1962 in Illinois and graduated from Northwestern University. He booked his first major TV appearance as a writer on Who is the boss?the successful sitcom with Tony Danza, Judith Light and Alyssa Milano. After a year on the show, he worked on the coming-of-age comedy Wonderful yearsbefore working as a writer and producer at Roseanne from 1992-1996.

The series, starring Roseanne Barr in the title role, originally ran for nine seasons, finishing in the top four of the Nielsen ratings for six of them. It was briefly rebooted in 2018 before returning to The Conners.

For his time on RoseanneGilliland was nominated for a Writers Guild of America Award for the series’ 1992 episode “The Dark Ages.” He later served as a consulting producer on the spin-off’s first two episodes.

Gilliland also produced and wrote episodes of Welcome to New York, That ’70s Show, Downwardly Mobile, My BoysAnd Mr Sunshinea short-lived sitcom with the late Friends Alum Matthew Perry. He also created the short-lived ABC sitcom, That’s lifeThe series is about a working-class family from Queens. It was canceled a month after its premiere in 1998.

His other literary achievements include Women in Prison, Nurses, Live-In, Living Dolls, MarriedAnd Doogie Howser, MDHe was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2019 for his work on Netflix’s historical sketch comedy series. The “Who was?” show.