Susan Harris (née Spivak; born October 28, 1940) is an American former television writer and producer who created the Emmy Award-winning sitcoms Soap (1977–1981) and The Golden Girls (1985–1992).[1] Between 1975 and 1998, Harris was one of the most prolific television writers, creating 13 comedy series.[2] In 2011, she was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.
Susan Harris | |
|---|---|
 Harris in the White House in 1999 | |
| Born | Susan Spivak October 28, 1940 Mount Vernon, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Producer, writer |
| Years active | 1970–1999 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | Sam Harris, Oliver Witt |
| Relatives | Marion Segal Freed (step-sister) |
Life and career
editThe first script Harris sold was for Then Came Bronson. She then wrote for Love, American Style, All in the Family, The Partridge Family and the TV adaptation of Neil Simon's Barefoot in the Park. Her abortion episode for the Bea Arthur-starring series Maude in the 1970s received great acclaim. She worked with Arthur again in the 1980s when Arthur took one of the lead roles in The Golden Girls.
Harris created many television series: Fay, Soap, Loves Me, Loves Me Not, Benson, It Takes Two, The Golden Girls, Empty Nest, Nurses, Good & Evil, The Golden Palace and The Secret Lives of Men.[3] Her most financially successful show was The Golden Girls.
Harris was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and her symptoms affected her ability to participate in the production of The Golden Girls. In an episode of that show titled "Sick and Tired" (1989), Harris wrote some of her struggles into the storyline where Bea Arthur's character Dorothy Zbornak was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. It later turned out Harris had an adrenal issue but she wrote the episode as "my revenge script for all the people out there who had a disease like that".[4]
Harris formed the production company Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions with Paul Junger Witt and Tony Thomas.
Harris married television producer Paul Junger Witt on September 18, 1983; he co-produced all the shows she created. He died in 2018. She was married from 1965 to 1969 to actor Berkeley Harris; the couple's son is author, and neuroscientist Sam Harris. She lives in suburban Los Angeles. Harris was the step-sister to American film producer, editor and screenwriter Marion Segal Freed.[5]
Awards and honors
editShe was honored with the Writers' Guild's Paddy Chayefsky Award in 2005 and inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2011.[6]
Personal life
editSusan is the mother of American philosopher, neuroscientist, author, and podcast host Sam Harris.
Credits
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Then Came Bronson | writer | Episode: "Then Came Bronson" |
| 1970 | Barefoot in the Park | writer | Episode: "You'll Never Walk Alone" |
| 1971–1973 | All in the Family | writer | 3 episodes |
| 1971 | The Courtship of Eddie's Father | writer | Episode: "To Catch a Thief" |
| 1971 | The Good Life | writer | 3 episodes |
| 1972–1973 | The Partridge Family | writer | 3 episodes |
| 1972–1973 | Maude | writer | 4 episodes |
| 1973 | Love, American Style | writer | 2 episodes |
| 1975–1976 | Fay | creator | 10 episodes |
| 1977 | Loves Me, Loves Me Not | creator | 6 episodes |
| 1977–1981 | Soap | creator, executive producer | 87 episodes Nominated — Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series (1978, 1980–81) |
| 1979–1986 | Benson | creator, executive producer | 158 episodes |
| 1980–1981 | I'm a Big Girl Now | creator, executive producer | 19 episodes |
| 1982–1983 | It Takes Two | creator, executive producer | 22 episodes Nominated — Humanitas Prize for 30 Minute Network or Syndicated Television |
| 1985 | Hail to the Chief | creator, executive producer | 7 episodes |
| 1985–1992 | The Golden Girls | creator, executive producer | 177 episodes Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series (1987) Nominated — Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series (1988-1991) Nominated — Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (1986) |
| 1988–1995 | Empty Nest | creator, executive producer | 170 episodes |
| 1991 | Good & Evil | creator, executive producer | 6 episodes |
| 1991–1994 | Nurses | creator, executive producer | 68 episodes |
| 1992–1993 | The Golden Palace | creator, executive producer | 24 episodes |
| 1998–1999 | The Secret Lives of Men | creator, executive producer | 13 episodes |
References
edit- ^ Seife, Beza (November 16, 2018). "The Golden Girls creator Susan Harris on pushing the boundaries of the sitcom". Q. CBC Radio One. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ Baldwin, Kristen (October 15, 2018). "How The Golden Girls creator Susan Harris changed TV comedy forever — and why she doesn't watch it now". Yahoo Entertainment.
- ^ DuBrow, Ric (September 10, 1991). "Golden Girls Creator Adds Shows". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ Hunt, Stacey Wilson. "The Golden Girls Creators On Finding a New Generation of Fans". Vulture. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (December 25, 2011). "Marion Segal Freed, Film Editor, Dies at 77". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
- ^ "Susan Harris - Hall of Fame Inductee". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. January 21, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2021.