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Alan Zweibel

  • Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
  • Birthday: November 30, 1949

Inspired to become a comedy writer by watching Dick Van Dyke play one on TV in the early 1960s, this self-described "huge Jew from Long Island" became an accomplished jokesmith, TV writer, producer, and series creator. He started out selling one-liners to stand-up comics, honed his writing skills on "Saturday Night Live" (NBC, 1975-80), and became a driving force on "It's Garry Shandling's Show" (Showtime, Fox, 1986-90). Zweibel is also a novelist, lyricist, and playwright. At age 24, he was still slinging …more

Career Milestones

  • 1996

    Stage version of his memoir "Bunny, Bunny" opened in Philadelphia

  • 1994

    Feature debut as a producer (with Rob Reiner), "North" (also co-wrote screenplay based on his novel)

  • 1992

    Served as one of the executive producers, creators, and writers for "Please Watch the Jon Lovitz Special", an unsold live comedy pilot for Fox

  • 1992

    Wrote (with Cy Coleman) a musical, "A Simple Melody" for PBS's "Great Performances' 20th Anniversary Special"

  • 1991

    TV debut as executive producer, "Good Sports", a sitcom starring Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett (also created and wrote premiere episode)

Awards

  • 1989

    CableACE Award: Best Writing in a Comedy Series

  • 1978

    Emmy: Outstanding Writing Achievement in a Comedy, Variety, or Music Series

  • 1977

    Emmy: Outstanding Writing Achievement in a Comedy, Variety, or Music Series

  • 1976

    Emmy: Outstanding Writing Achievement in a Comedy, Variety, or Music Series