Jack Gross '73

Writer Of Classic Television Shows Passes Away

Jack Gross '73, writer for many of the classic situation comedies of the 1960s and 1970s, passed away on December 14. He was 78.

Along with writing for many of the unforgettable television shows of those two decades including Daniel Boone and Tarzan, Gross also penned for the classic sitcoms Gilligan's Island, My Favorite Martian and later Diff'rent Strokes.

Remembered for his never-ending sense of humor and his laid-back attitude towards life, Gross lived abroad in Europe for several years before graduating from San Fernando Valley State College (now known as Cal State Northridge). He later earned a master’s degree from the USC film program in 1973.

Born to Jack O. Gross and Loretta Glazer Gross in 1929, Gross' father founded KFMB—the first television station in San Diego—in 1949.

He is survived by his wife Joan, and son Josh, publisher of Beverly Hills Weekly. Services were private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Writers Guild Foundation in his honor.