Roseanne writer Eric Gilliland has died at the age of 62 after a battle with colon cancer.
The sad news, which focused on the television and producer best known for his work on the hit 1990s sitcom, was confirmed by his sister Lisa Variety on monday.
Gilliland served as both a producer and writer on the ABC series from 1992 to 1996.
His efforts were recognized when he received a nomination for a Writers Guild of America Award for the episode The Dark Ages which aired in 1992.
Roseanne writer Eric Gilliland has died at age 62 after a battle with colon cancer
Gilliland was both a producer and writer on the ABC series from 1992 to 1996
The talented Hollywood veteran then went on to serve as a consulting producer on two episodes of the Roseanne spin-off series The Conners in 2019.
Gilliland was also known for his work as a consulting producer on the popular teen sitcom That ’70s Show from 1998 to 1999.
During his time with the Fox series, he wrote the third episode of the first season, titled “Streaking.”
The creative produced many television series during his career, including Nurses, That’s Life, Welcome To New York, Mr. Sunshine and My Boys.
He also wrote episodes for many of the aforementioned series, including two episodes of Mr. Sunshine, which starred the late Matthew Perry and which he co-created, but which had a short run on ABC.
Gilliland also wrote for The Wonder Years, Who’s The Boss, Doogie Howser, MD, Women In Prison, Live-In, Living Dolls and Married People, among others.
He was recently nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his work on Netflix’s historical sketch comedy series The Who Was? Show in 2019.
He was born and raised in Glenview, Illinois.
The talented Hollywood veteran then went on to serve as a consulting producer on two episodes of the Roseanne spin-off series The Conners in 2019
He (pictured in June 2017) was born and raised in Glenview, Illinois and graduated from Glenbrook South High School in 1980 before going on to earn his degree from Northwestern University School of Communication in 1984.
Gilliland graduated from Glenbrook South High School in 1980 and from Northwestern University School of Communication in 1984.
Many people in the entertainment industry paid tribute to the producer and writer via social media.
Modern Family co-creator Steve Levitan wrote on Facebook on Monday: “Weird, I know, but I found myself thinking this morning that Eric Gilliland would have taken perverse pleasure in knowing that he, of all people, was outlived by Dick Van Dyke.
“That’s one of the ways Eric and I bonded in eighth grade, through our mutual love of The Dick Van Dyke Show. And Monty Python, Jack Benny, The Carol Burnett Show, SNL, and bad puns. (Yes, folks, we started a pun club.)”
Gilliland was also known for his work as a consulting producer on the popular teen sitcom That ’70s Show from 1998 to 1999
More recently, he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his work on the Netflix historical sketch comedy series The Who Was? Show in 2019
Actress Martha Plimpton took to Instagram to pay tribute, writing: “I can’t find the older photos at the moment. I don’t really know what to do with myself.
“Today is harder. The world is a less cheerful and laughter-filled place without my friend, Eric Gilliland.”
Actor Dan Bucatinsky called Gilliland “brilliant, sweet, kind, funny, generous” in his Instagram tribute.
He concluded: ‘His legacy is the love he received from so many friends.’