FAMILY TIES Creator Gary David Goldberg Dies at 68

Deadline reports that Gary David Goldberg, who created such memorable TV shows as Family Ties and Brooklyn Bridge, passed away this morning at his home in Montecito, CA after a long struggle with brain cancer. He was just two days shy of his 69th birthday.

Goldberg began his career in Israel in 1972, landing the lead role of Scooterman in the language teaching show The Adventures of Scooterman. In 1976, he became a writer for CBS' The Bob Newhart Show. This was followed by The Tony Randall Show and later CBS' Lou Grant, for which he was also producer.

In 1981, he formed his own company, Ubu Productions, and went on to create the TV comedy Family Ties which ran for seven seasons. It was a critical and ratings hit and continues to be seen to this day in syndication and helped launch the career of Michael J. Fox. The show was based on the experiences he shared with his wife and family of hippie parents raising children in the 1970s.

He later produced Brooklyn Bridge and Spin City. In 1989, he produced the feature film with a marquée cast, Dad, starring Jack Lemmon, Ted Danson, and Olympia Dukakis. This film was followed by Bye Bye Love and Must Love Dogs. He received two Emmy awards (1979 for Lou Grant, 1987 for Family Ties) and four Writers Guild of America Awards (1979, 1988, 1998, 2010) for his work.