Bob Ellison, Emmy-Winning Writer Behind ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’, Dies at Age 91
Emmy-winning writer Bob Ellison passed away at 91. Though he died on April 8th, the news only emerged a month later. Ellison was remembered fondly by his manager for his talent and kindness. Beyond his work on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, he also co-created the sitcom Dear John and collaborated with Julie Andrews and Burt Bacharach.
Emmy Award-winning writer Bob Ellison has died. He was 91. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bob passed away on April 8 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. A month after his demise, Bob's manager, Malcolm Orland, shared the unfortunate news. Remembering Bob, Malcolm Orland said, "He was a sweetheart and so good at what he did." Bob wrote and/or produced several specials that starred Julie Andrews and Burt Bacharach. He also co-developed the 1988-92 NBC sitcom Dear John, starring Judd Hirsch. He wrote 15 episodes and was an executive story editor during the last two of The Mary Tyler Moore Show's seven seasons (from 1975-77). He shared an Emmy with Allan Burns, James L. Brooks, Ed. Weinberger, Stan Daniels and David Lloyd for the beloved series finale, The Last Show. Roger Corman, Independent Producer and B-Movie Legend, Dies at 98.
Bob bagged his first Emmy for a 1971 Bacharach special and was also nominated for his writing on The Kraft Music Hall that year, Julie and Carol at Lincoln Center (that would be Andrews and Carol Burnett) in 1972 and The Julie Andrews Hour in 1973, as per The Hollywood Reporter. Meg Bennett, Writer for ABC’s General Hospital, Dies at 75.
Mary Tyler Moore Show Writer Bob Ellison Passes Away at 91
He worked on the Mary Tyler Moore spinoffs Rhoda and Phyllis and produced The Betty White Show, all for MTM Enterprises, too. He is survived by his wife, Elaine. They had no children.