Television comedy writer Eric Gilliland, known for his work on Roseanne, is dead. The longtime sitcom writer and producer, 62, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. Gilliland’s death came some years after his battle with stage 4 colon cancer started. Since news of his passing, the writer’s friends and colleagues have showered him with tributes.
Who Is Eric Gilliland?
Eric Gilliland gained fame for his work on Roseanne. He wrote and produced the hit sitcom from 1992 to 1996. The Illinois native graduated from Northwestern University. His first big project as a writer was on Who’s the Boss? He then worked on The Wonder Years before moving on to Roseanne. The TV personality was later promoted to executive producer for the last two episodes. His 1992 episode, The Dark Ages, earned him a nomination for the Writers Guild of America Award.
Eric Gilliland was also a consulting producer on the spinoff The Connors. His writing and producing credits include That ’70s Show, Welcome to New York, and My Boys. Additionally, he wrote shows such as Married People, Women in Prison, Living Dolls, and Doogie Howser, M.D. His talented work earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination for Who Was in 2019.
Details of Gilliland’s Death
Eric Gilliland’s sister broke the news of his death to Variety. She revealed the cause of his death as colon cancer. Some months before his death, Gilliland shared his battle with the disease on Facebook. “For about the last three years, I’ve been dealing with having Stage Four Colon Cancer™,” he revealed. “I don’t have it at the moment, but last month we found a little teeny spot on my lung and we melon-balled that sucker out and then had an X-Ray,” Gilliland added. He also noted that he was clear of cancer, although it could still be there.
The writer advised everyone to get a colonoscopy to detect the disease if they had it. For his fight against colon cancer, Eric Gilliland asked people to donate to a fundraiser. He disclosed that he raised about $5,000 in 2023. The money would go into finding a “cure for colorectal cancer and serve as relentless champions of hope for all affected by this disease through informed patient support, impactful policy change, and breakthrough research endeavors.” Eric Gilliland raised over $6,000 before the fundraiser ended.
Friends Pay Tribute To Gilliland
Eric Gilliland’s death left a void in the hearts of his friends. Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds was among the first to pay tribute to the late writer. He mourned the loss of a mentor who opened doors for him. The duo had been friends for almost three decades. “He was kind. And gentle. And funny as hell. And incapable of holding a conversation that was cruel or tore someone down,” Reynolds wrote of Eric Gilliland on Instagram. “It’s a tragedy he’s gone and a tragedy more people won’t have the chance to know him.”
Angie Peccini, former food TV producer, said of Eric Gilliland, “Eric’s gift wasn’t that he was incredibly smart and funny and warm and talented, his gift was that he made you feel that way. It just felt so good to be around him.” Actress Martha Plimpton expressed her devastation on Instagram. The actress shared memories of her time with Gilliland and captioned the post, “This is moving too fast. @ergill2.”
Another longtime friend, Mark McAdam, told People, “Eric was the Pied Piper of friendship. He had an easy way of connecting people from every walk of life: teachers, chefs, artists, West Village regulars, and Hollywood royalty, and he made us all feel equally funny and special.”
Conclusion
Steve Levitan also reminisced about his time with Eric Gilliland. He revealed that he started his career because seeing Gilliland do it made him brave. He added, “Eric and I bonded back in 8th grade, over our mutual love for The Dick Van Dyke Show, Monty Python, Jack Benny, The Carol Burnett Show, SNL, and bad puns. (Yes, people, we started a pun club). Eric was just plain smart and funny.” Levitan quipped that Gilliland would have taken “a perverse pleasure in knowing that, of all people, he was outlived by Dick van Dyke.”
It’s great to see Gilliland’s friends and colleagues paying great tribute to him. Despite his death, he left unforgettable memories that would forever stay in the hearts and minds of those he made happy in his lifetime. Hopefully, his family will go through this difficult phase with strength, love, and unity.
For More Great Content
Are you desiring top-tier content that covers everything? From thrilling sports and intoxicating entertainment news to gaming tips and professional betting advice, Total Apex covers it all. Delve into our no-fluff articles to stay ahead of the game with the latest sports action, uncover the hottest trends in entertainment, and get the latest scoops in the gaming industry that will take your experiences to the next level.
Finally, our betting advice will give you a decisive edge over the competition and increase your odds of beating the books. Whether you’re looking to stay updated or gain a competitive edge, Total Apex is your one-stop shop for all things compelling and relevant. Don’t forget we cover Fantasy Sports, too!
Check out all our sites: Total Apex Sports, Total Apex Fantasy Sports, Total Apex Entertainment, Total Apex Sports Bets, and Total Apex Gaming. Out of the ashes of obscurity will rise a beast. Always remember to Respect The Hustle! Follow us on Twitter/X @TotalApexSports to stay informed.
