Jerry Belson


Jerry Belson was an American writer, director, and producer of Hollywood films for over 40 years. Collaborating with figures like Steve Allen and Garry Marshall, Belson gained recognition for his work on various television shows, including The Dick Van Dyke Show and his co-creation of the popular sitcom The Odd Couple. He demonstrated his versatility by venturing into film, co-writing screenplays and directing movies. Belson's impact on comedy and his ability to create enduring characters and relatable narratives left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry.

Career

Belson's writing credits include the Steven Spielberg films Always and Close Encounters of the Third Kind; several episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show; Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.; and I Spy. During the early 1960s, concurrent with contributing scripts for TV sitcoms with then writing partner Garry Marshall, Belson contributed stories for Gold Key Comics. He also helped produce The Drew Carey Show, The Norm Show, and The Tracey Ullman Show.
In the TV Land 2006 documentary The 100 Greatest TV Quotes and Catchphrases, Lowell Ganz credits Belson with including in the script of the season 3 Odd Couple episode "My Strife in Court" the catchphrase "Never ASSUME, because when you ASSUME, you make an ASS of U and ME." Ganz noted that Belson had heard it used years ago by a teacher in a typewriter repair class.
He won three Emmy Awards: two for The Tracey Ullman Show in 1989 and 1990, and one for Tracey Takes On... in 1997.

Death

Belson died of cancer on October 10, 2006, at his home in Los Angeles.
His sister, screenwriter Monica Johnson, died on November 1, 2010.

Credits

Television

Film

Theater