John Peaslee, a well-known comedy writer for TV shows like Coach and According to Jim, died on November 11 at the age of 73. He passed away from natural causes. His friend and writing partner, Judd Pillot, shared the sad news.
John Peaslee was born in New York City. He began his career writing news stories and making documentaries. He worked at Newsweek magazine and later joined a famous producer named Alvin H. Perlmutter. Peaslee learned a lot about storytelling during these early years.
In 1985, Peaslee moved to Los Angeles, California, where many TV shows are made. He decided to switch from news writing to comedy writing. This was a big change, but it turned out to be a great decision.
Peaslee’s first big TV success was with a show called *Coach*. This show was about a college football coach and aired from 1989 to 1997. It was a hit because it was funny and had great characters. Peaslee helped write many of the show’s jokes and storylines.
After Coach, Peaslee worked on other popular TV shows. He helped write Mad About You, a comedy about married life. He also worked on Something So Right, a show about families coming together.
One of his most famous shows was According to Jim, which starred Jim Belushi. It was about a funny dad and his family. The show was very popular and ran for eight seasons from 2001 to 2009. Peaslee also wrote for Just Shoot Me, a comedy about a fashion magazine, and Disney’s Liv and Maddie, a show about twin sisters.
Peaslee won several awards during his career. He received a Peabody Award, which is given to TV shows that have a good impact on society. He also won the Humanitas Prize, an award for writers who create stories with a message about kindness and helping others.
Peaslee often worked with another writer named Judd Pillot. They made a great team. Pillot said Peaslee was calm and kind. He joked that Peaslee was like fancy caviar on toast, while he was more like lox on a bagel. They both loved making people laugh and worked well together.
John Peaslee was a kind and caring person, not just a writer. He loved animals and often gave money to animal shelters. In his memory, his family has asked people to donate to animal charities instead of sending flowers.
Peaslee was also involved in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). This is a group that helps people who have problems with alcohol. He was very thankful for the support he received from AA and often helped others in the group.
Peaslee is survived by his wife, Dava Waite, who also worked in television. She produced shows like The Real Housewives of Orange County. He also leaves behind his daughter, Rebecca, and his brother, Jim. Both of them have worked in the entertainment business too.
John Peaslee made many people laugh with his TV shows. His work on Coach, According to Jim, and other sitcoms brought joy to millions of viewers. Even though he has passed away, his shows are still watched by fans today.
