Top 1980s and 1990s comedy writer-producer David W. Duclon, who created Punky Brewster and co-developed Silver Spoons, died this morning, Jan. 15, after a long illness. He was 74.
Born Warren David Duclon in Rockford, Illinois, Duclon started his career as a writer on classic 1970s sitcoms such as The Odd Couple, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, The Jeffersons and Diff’rent Strokes.
His first writing credit was on a handful episodes of the The Odd Couple alongside Garry Marshall who took him under his wing and taught him how to be a showrunner while Duclon worked on his hits Happy Days and spinoff Laverne & Shirley.
Over the next decade, Duclon went on to create a slew of sitcoms of his own. He developed CBS’ 1979 comedy Working Stiffs starring James Belushi and Michael Keaton, co-developed the 1982 Silver Spoons, which ran on NBC for four seasons and another in first-run syndication, and co-created the 1987 Fox comedy Boys Will Be Boys starring Matthew Perry.
Duclon also created the 1984 sitcom Punky Brewster, which ran for four seasons, two on NBC and two in syndication. It catapulted its young star Soleil Moon Frye to fame as her titular character became an 1980s pop culture icon. The series earned three Emmy nominations including two for Outstanding Children’s Program.
In a pay-it-forward fashion, Duclon then helped mentor the next generation of showrunners.
He gave My Name Is Earl and Raising Hope creator Greg Garcia his first writing job on the short-lived 1994 sitcom On Our Own, starring Jurnee and Jussie Smollett, Duncan’s last series as a creator. Duclon went on to executive produce Garcia’s first series as a creator, the 1997 Built to Last (which he co-created with Warren Hutcherson). Duclon later wrote an episode of Garcia’s first hit, Yes, Dear, co-created by Alan Kirschenbaum.
“When you’re first starting out in this business, finding that one person who will believe in you is invaluable. For some reason, Dave Duclon believed in a 23-year-old me and gave me my first job,” Garcia said. “During the four years I worked under him, I not only learned the ins and outs of sitcom writing, but also how to be a showrunner. Dave ran his shows with confidence, a clear vision, unbridled enthusiasm and, above all else, kindness. I’m a better person for having known Dave, and I’ll always be in his debt for the time he took to be my mentor.”
Another successful TV showrunner, Meg DeLoatch (Family Reunion, The Neighborhood), shared a similar story.
“Dave hired me for my first staff job and a few years later, was kind and humble enough to be my second when I became a showrunner on my first show,” she said, “A writers’ writer, he was always generous, decent and told the best stories.”
Then up-and-comer DeLoatch’s first staff job was on the hit 1989 sitcom Family Matters where Duclon was as an executive producer. He then hired her on Malcolm & Eddie, which he also executive produced. DeLoatch went on to create her own series, the 2003 Eve. Duclon executive produced Eve with her before he left Hollywood and moved back to his home town in Illinois.
Duclon was recently involved in the 2021 Punky Brewster revival, which he executive produced.
