Bernie Orenstein, TV comedy writer and producer, dies aged 95
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Newly added coverage provides more detail about Bernie Orenstein’s long partnership with Saul Turteltaub and his work across American television comedy. Orenstein, a Canadian writer-producer whose credits included That Girl, Sanford and Son and What’s Happening!!, died on 14 September, his family announced; he was 95.
The pair worked together for more than 30 years, usually writing separate sections or full scripts and then fitting them together. They joined Sanford and Son in 1974 and later partnered with Bud Yorkin to form TOY Productions, which made three ABC comedies. Their credits also included Kate & Allie, CBS’ E/R and Chicken Soup, cancelled after seven episodes despite airing after Roseanne.
- New coverage adds details about Orenstein’s career and writing partnership.
- He worked with Saul Turteltaub for more than 30 years.
- His credits spanned landmark and short-lived sitcoms.
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American sitcoms became a major part of US television in the 1960s and 1970s, with writers and producers shaping both the stories and the characters audiences saw each week. Bernie Orenstein was a Canadian-born television writer who worked in the United States with his long-time writing partner, Saul Turteltaub.
The pair contributed to comedies including That Girl, about a young woman pursuing an acting career, and Sanford and Son, centred on a father and son running a Los Angeles junk shop. They later formed TOY Productions with producer Bud Yorkin, creating programmes for American broadcasters. Their credits span several decades, offering a view of how television comedy changed over that period.
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Originally published by The Hollywood Reporter as “Bernie Orenstein, Writer-Producer on ‘That Girl,’ ‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘What’s Happening!!,’ Dies at 95”.