Gene Perret, Emmy-winning writer and legendary joke writer, has died on Nov. 15 of liver failure at his home in Westlake Village. He was 85.
Over the course of his five-decade career, the professional comedy writer wrote for The Carol Burnett Show — for which he won three Emmys for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series — as well as hit shows All in the Family; Welcome Back, Kotter; and Three’s Company, among others.
According to the late comedian’s website, he wrote jokes for Phyllis Diller, Bob Hope, Carol Burnett, Bill Cosby, Tim Conway, and many others. Perret wrote for Hope from 1969 until the legendary performer retired, serving as head writer during Hope’s last 15 years performing.
Perret, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, wrote more than 45 books on comedy and contributed to many publications including Reader’s Digest, Good Housekeeping, Toastmaster and Arizona Highways.
Perret is survived by his wife of 64 years, Joanne, and children Joe, Terry, Carole and Linda — a fellow comedy writer — as well as six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
