‘Two and a Half Men,’ Simpsons’ Writer-Producer Was 65 – Deadline

Veteran comedian David Richardson passed away today, January 18, from heart failure. He celebrated his 65th birthday on Christmas Eve.

Richardson recently packed the upcoming fifth and final season of Netflix’s adult animated series F Is for the family, on which he served as executive producer.

Richardson, a cancer survivor of nearly thirty years, began his TV comedy writing career in 1985 in the NBC series of Michael Leeson / Carsey-Werner. Grand, starring Pamela Red and Bonnie Hunt. He spent two seasons in the sitcom Empty nest before going to animation with a turn on The Simpsons.

Richardson has worked on a number of live-action TV comedies. While at Witt-Thomas’ staff The John Larroquette Show, he won a Humanitas Award for his episode “Faith.” Richardson spent three seasons Two and a half men and also written and produced for Malcolm in the Middle, 8 Simple Rules, Phenom, Ed and What about Joan, starring Joan Cusack and Kyle Chandler, in which he served as showrunner.

During his career, Richardson developed and executive, producing and creating and producing numerous pilots. Manhattan, AZ, which was offered two seasons on the US.

Richardson is back to animation with the Bill Burr and Michael Price created F Is For Family, which he initially joined as a co-executive producer and was named executive producer in season 3.

‘I first met David in 2000 when he was my boss What about Joan, and I never forgot how wonderful he was as a writer, showrunner and friend, ”said Price, co-creator, executive producer and showrunner of F Is For Family. ‘When I got the chance to become a showrunner myself F Is For Family, he was the first person I called to add the staff. From the first day of the program, he was my right hand man – he always made jokes, masterful with story, and just a great guy. His fingerprints are on every frame of our show, and his loss is immeasurable to me. ”

Richardson is survived by his wife, Charleen Easton Richardson; their twin 12-year-old sons, Arlo and Atticus; son Wayne, from a previous marriage; daughter-in-law Kelsey; grandson Banks and granddaughter Harper; brother Jeff Richardson and sister Susan Benson; and several nieces and nephews, not to mention the many people whose lives he touched during his long career of entertainment.

The family is planning a private ceremony. A public celebration of Richardson’s life will take place later. Instead of flowers, donations in the name of David to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.