Kenneth Roger Hecht

Noted TV comedy writer and producer Ken Hecht passed away on Monday, March 21 at his home in Tarzana, California after an 8-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Ken's comedy career spanned over six decades, and his sense of humor didn't leave him while he was sick. Shortly after his dreaded diagnosis, he turned to a friend and said, "At least I won't have to get a colonoscopy next year."

Ken was born in Miami, FL, April 4, 1947 and grew up in Miami Beach. After graduating from the University of Miami with a degree that he never planned to use, Ken moved to Los Angeles in January of 1969 to pursue his desire to become a comedy writer. His career took off quickly.

Ken started out writing questions and jokes for the NBC game show, "Hollywood Squares." He went on to write for many comedy icons including Johnny Carson, Don Rickles, and Bea Arthur.

Sometimes Ken wrote alone, and sometimes he wrote with a partner – first with Lloyd Garver, then later with Bob Brunner. Some of the shows Ken wrote for and produced include "The Tonight Show," “Love, American Style,” "Sanford and Son," "Happy Days," "Good Times," "Maude," "What's Happening?" "Nobody's Perfect," "The Love Boat," "Alice," "Three's Company," "Private Benjamin," "Diff'rent Strokes," "Webster," "Full House," and "CBS Summer Playhouse."

He also co-created "Sherman Oaks" and "American Dream." Ken received two Emmy nominations – one for producing Tony Randall's "Love, Sidney," and one for writing "America Dream."

Ken had another passion besides comedy. Gambling. In Miami, he bet at the dog track. He was also a frequent horse player. Ken told a friend that the highlight of his life was being in the winner's circle at Santa Anita when one of the horses he owned actually won a race. (Some of them barely finished their races). He bet on weekly NFL games. Despite his condition, he somehow dug deep to find the energy to bet on this year's recent Super Bowl. That was the last bet he ever made. He won.

The blessing for all of us is that, because of the miracle of reruns, his comedy will go on forever. So today something that he wrote or produced will probably be shown on TV somewhere in the world. It might not be as exciting as being in the winner's circle, but to continue to make millions of people laugh -- some of whom haven't even been born yet-- is quite a legacy.

Ken is survived by Donna Soskin. Donations in his memory can be made to Westside German Shepherd Rescue, where he rescued his beloved Bear, https://sheprescue.org/, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.Pancan.org, a charity of your choice or just be kind to each other. Life is too damn short.