Garry Shandling obit

GARRY SHANDLINGDEAD AT 66

He was not on the list.

Comedian, actor, writer and producer Garry Shandling, known for “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” and “The Larry Sanders Show,” died Thursday, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed. He was 66.

A spokesman for the LAPD said they received a 911 call from Shandling’s home on Thursday, saying the comedian suffered from a “medical emergency.” He later died at an L.A. hospital.

Shandling wasn’t known to be suffering from any illnesses, and just a few days ago retweeted Kathy Griffin’s photo of himself, her and Bob Odenkirk.

The influential comedian was known for his neurotic observational humor, particularly about romantic relationships, and his no-holds-barred skewering of showbiz in his inventive TV shows. “The Larry Sanders Show” was one of the early pillars of HBO’s original series strategy, garnering Emmy Awards and critical acclaim during its 1992-1998 run.

Born in Chicago, Shandling was raised in Tucson, Ariz., and started out majoring in electrical engineering before completing a marketing degree at the University of Arizona. After moving to Los Angeles, he sold a script for “Sanford and Son” and also wrote for “Welcome Back, Kotter.” He guest-hosted on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” and was in consideration to become Carson’s replacement. After a serious car accident, he began working on his stand-up comedy act.

In 1986, he created his own sitcom “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show,” also an early original series effort for Showtime. The show, also co-created by Alan Zweibel, was nominated for four Emmys, and ran until 1990. The show was noted for being one that often broke the fourth wall, with Shandling speaking directly to the audience, and he played a version of himself: a stand-up comedian aware of the fact that he is a sitcom character. Even the theme song was self-referential from the opening line: “This is the theme to Garry’s show…”

The seeds of “Larry Sanders Show” were planted on Showtime in 1986 when Shandling hosted “The Garry Shandling Show 25th Anniversary Special,” a parody of a Johnny Carson-esque anniversary special. He starred and co-created “Larry Sanders Show” for HBO, set in the office of a fictional late-night talk show, with Dennis Klein. Shandling was nominated for 18 Emmys for the show and, along with Peter Tolan, won an Emmy for the series finale.

“The Larry Sanders Show” was said to have a lasting impact on TV comedy, influencing such series as “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” It cracked several “best of” lists, including Time’s 100 Best TV Shows of All Time. Judd Apatow was among the staff writers on the show who went on to become a major player in the industry.

Among his film and voice acting appearances were “Iron Man 2,” “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” “Dr. Dolittle,” “Zoolander” and “Over the Hedge.” The notorious flop “Town and Country,” in which he co-starred with Warren Beatty and Diane Keaton, was a big disappointment for Shandling in 2001.

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Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes

1993 The Night We Never Met Mr. Vertisey Uncredited

1994 Love Affair Kip DeMay

1994 Mixed Nuts Stanley

1998 Dr. Dolittle Male Pigeon Voice

1998 Hurlyburly Artie

2000 What Planet Are You From? Harold Anderson Also producer, writer

2001 Town & Country Griffin Morris

2001 Zoolander Himself Cameo

2002 Run Ronnie Run! Himself Cameo

2002 The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch Himself

2005 Trust the Man Dr. Beekman

2006 Over the Hedge Verne Voice

2006 Hammy's Boomerang Adventure Verne Voice, Short

2010 Iron Man 2 Senator Stern

2011 The Brain Storm Garry Shandling Short

2012 The Dictator Health Inspector Uncredited cameo

2014 Captain America: The Winter Soldier Senator Stern

2016 The Jungle Book Ikki Voice, Posthumous release (final film role)

2016 Dying Laughing Himself Posthumous release (final film appearance)

2018 The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling Himself Posthumous release (documentary)



Television

Year Title Role Notes

1979 Make Me Laugh Himself Comedy game show

1984 Garry Shandling: Alone in Vegas Himself Stand-up special

1985 Michael Nesmith in Television Parts Himself Skits in 2 episodes

1986 The Garry Shandling Show: 25th Anniversary Special Garry Shandling Parody of a The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson-type anniversary

1986–1987 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Himself (guest host) 7 episodes; June and October 1986, January and September 1987

1986–1990 It's Garry Shandling's Show Garry Shandling 72 episodes; also co-creator, executive producer, writer

1987 Saturday Night Live Himself (host) Episode: "Garry Shandling/Los Lobos"

1990 Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme Jack Television film

1990 32nd Annual Grammy Awards Himself (host) Television special

1991 33rd Annual Grammy Awards Himself (host) Television special

1991 Garry Shandling: Stand-Up Himself Stand-up special

1992 The Ben Stiller Show Garry Shandling Episode: "With Garry Shandling"

1992–1998 The Larry Sanders Show Larry Sanders 89 episodes; also co-creator, executive producer, writer, director

1993 35th Annual Grammy Awards Himself (host) Television special

1994 36th Annual Grammy Awards Himself (host) Television special

1996 Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist Garry Voice, Episode: "Sticky Notes"

1998 Caroline in the City Steve Episode: "Caroline and the Marriage Counselor: Part 2"

2000 The X-Files Himself Episode: "Hollywood A.D."

2000 52nd Primetime Emmy Awards Himself (host) Television special

2002 My Adventures in Television Himself Episode: "Death Be Not Pre-Empted"

2004 56th Primetime Emmy Awards Himself (host) Television special

2006 Tom Goes to the Mayor Captain Pat Lewellen Voice, Episode: "Couple's Therapy"

2016 Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee Himself Episode: "It's Great That Garry Shandling Is Still Alive"



As writer

Year Title Notes

1975–1976 Sanford and Son 4 episodes

1976 Welcome Back, Kotter Episode: "Horshack vs. Carvelli"

1978 The Harvey Korman Show Episode: "The One Where Harvey Won't