Mike Milligan, a prolific American television writer and producer, passed away on December 20th at his West Los Angeles home at the age of 77. The cause of death was reported as acute respiratory failure by a PR representative. Milligan’s extensive career spanned over five decades, earning him recognition as a celebrated member of the Writers Guild of America.
His most significant contributions were made in collaboration with his writing partner, Jay Moriarty. Together, they crafted and produced numerous hit television shows, including the iconic “Good Times,” “What’s Happening Now,” “Maude,” “Dear John,” “Here and Now,” and “Melba.” Their work on the Emmy-winning sitcom “The Jeffersons” is particularly noteworthy, culminating in an NAACP Image Award for their writing and producing. “The Jeffersons” was ahead of its time, bravely addressing complex social issues such as suicide, transgender identity, and white supremacy within the sitcom format.
In 1992, Milligan and Moriarty served as co-writers and executive producers for NBC’s “Here and Now,” starring a cast that included Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Charles Brown, Daryl Mitchell, and Rachael Crawford. Their legacy extended even further. In 2019, an episode of “All in the Family,” “The Draft Dodger,” originally aired in 1976, was faithfully recreated for the ABC television special “Live in Front of a Studio Audience,” produced by Norman Lear and Jimmy Kimmel. This special, featuring Woody Harrelson as Archie Bunker and Marisa Tomei as Edith, garnered an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special.
Born in Los Angeles on January 28, 1947, Milligan graduated from Loyola Marymount University. He served in the Air Force as a typist during the Vietnam War to avoid the draft. He is survived by his wife, Jill; his son, John; his sister, Jeri; and five granddaughters.