# Earl Barret Dies: Sitcom Writer Who Co-Created Ted Knight Vehicle ‘Too Close For Comfort’ Was 94

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/earl-barret-dies-sitcom-writer-who-co-created-ted-knight-vehicle-too-close-for-comfort-was-94/
- Published: 2026-10-29T13:10:15+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T04:57:44+00:00
- Original publisher: Deadline
- Original article: https://deadline.com/2026/10/earl-barret-dead-1237207408/
- Topics: Film

## Key points

- Earl Barret, co-creator of *Too Close for Comfort*, has died aged 94.
- He wrote for a wide range of television comedies over three decades.
- The Ted Knight sitcom ran for six seasons, from 1980 to 1987.

## Summary

Earl Barret, a television comedy writer who co-created the sitcom *Too Close for Comfort*, has died aged 94. He died of natural causes at his home in Sherman Oaks, California, on 22 October; his daughter J.K. Barret announced his death.

Across a career spanning about 30 years, Barret wrote for programmes including *Batman*, *Bewitched*, *The Andy Griffith Show*, *I Spy*, *Sanford and Son* and *Welcome Back, Kotter*. *Too Close for Comfort*, created with Brian Cooke and Arne Sultan, starred Ted Knight and ran for six seasons from 1980 to 1987. Barret was its executive producer and directed 13 episodes; he also co-wrote the 1989 film *See No Evil, Hear No Evil*.

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