Comedy writer Earl Barret passed away on October 22 at his home in Sherman Oaks, California. He was 94 years old.
Barret began his TV writing career in 1961 after taking Robert C. Dennis’ free weekly TV writing class. The duo would go on to write episodes for several shows together.
Over the next 30 years, Barret wrote for more than 30 shows, including “My Favorite Martian,” “Batman,” “Bewitched,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “I Spy,” “The Partners,” “Sanford and Son” and “Welcome Re, Kotter.” His biggest hit was the show “Too Close for Comfort,” which he created, wrote and executive produced with his long-time writing partner Arne Sultan. He also directed 13 episodes of the series.
“Too Close for Comfort” aired on ABC from 1980 to 1983 and aired on various stations from 1984 to 1987. The logline for the series, which stars Ted Knight, Nancy Dussault and Jim J. Bullock, reads: “In liberal San Francisco, a conservative cartoonist tries to keep safe his two daughters, who rent an apartment below him.”
In addition to his TV writing, Barret wrote plays with Sultan and the feature film “See No Evil, Hear No Evil.”
Before becoming a writer, Barret was pursuing an acting career and had a SAG card. He graduated from Hollywood High School and Los Angeles City College. His daughter, J. K. Barret, describes him as “a lifelong learner with a sharp, curious mind and impeccable comedic timing. He spent nine decades developing his passion for performing arts, music and entertainment, which began with tap dancing and violin lessons he took as a child in Canton, Ohio.”
He is survived by his wife, Barbara Barnett Barret; daughter, J. K. Barret; son, John Nelson; and my five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Lisa Nelson.