Jim Geoghan, who co-created and executive produced the Disney Channel’s touchstone sitcom The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, died Sunday, September 7, in Los Angeles. He was 79.
His death was confirmed to Deadline by his daughter Genevieve Geoghan. A cause of death was not immediately available.
After beginning his career in the early 1970s as part of a stand-up comedy trio called Divided We Stand, performing at such New York clubs as the Improvisation Cafe, The Bitter End, Catch A Rising Star and The Bottom Line. At colleges and nightclubs, the trio appeared on bills with Frankie Valley and the Four Seasons, The Beach Boys, The Commodores, Jimmy Buffet, The Righteous Brothers, Bill Withers, War, Sha Na Naand The Temptations.
Geoghan soon began writing for television on such series as Three’s Company, Sanford, Too Close For Comfort, The Facts of Life and The Van Dyke Show, among others. He wrote 18 episodes of Silver Spoons between 1983 and 1987, and around the same began writing and producing the form-bending It’s Garry Shandling’s Show; he was producer of that show from 1986 to 1990.
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Other writing credits from the ’80s and ’90s include Kate & Allie, Mama’s Family, Amen and Family Matters, with producing credits on Silver Spoons and Family Matters, among others.
In 2005, Geoghan co-created and co-executive produced (with Danny Kallis) The Suite Life of Zack and Cody for the Disney Channel, which ran for 87 episodes between 2005 and 2008, earning two Emmy Award nominations. The series starred Cole and Dylan Sprouse, Ashley Tisdale, Brenda Song and others as it followed the antics of a group of tween friends. A sequel series from 2008 to 2011, The Suite Life on Deck, featured the characters in high school.
After that show, Geoghan served as executive producer of The Suite Life of Karan & Kabir.
For the stage, Geoghan wrote Only Kidding, a play set in the world of stand-up comedy that opened Off Broadway at the American Jewish Theater in 1988 before transferring to the larger Westside Arts Theater. It ran for 500 performances and was nominated for two Drama Desk Awards, later being staged at regional theaters across the country.
In addition to his daughter, Geoghan is survived by Annie, his wife of 45 years.
Facts Only
* Jim Geoghan died on Sunday, September 7, in Los Angeles at age 79.
* He co-created and executive produced *The Suite Life of Zack & Cody*.
* His death was confirmed to Deadline by his daughter, Genevieve Geoghan.
* Geoghan began his career in the early 1970s with Divided We Stand.
* The trio performed at clubs such as the Improvisation Cafe and The Bitter End.
* He wrote for television series including *Three’s Company*, *Sanford*, and *The Facts of Life*.
* He wrote 18 episodes of *Silver Spoons* between 1983 and 1987.
* He produced *It’s Garry Shandling’s Show* from 1986 to 1990.
* He had writing credits on *Kate & Allie*, *Mama’s Family*, and *Amen and Family Matters*.
* In 2005, he co-created and co-executive produced *The Suite Life of Zack and Cody*.
* A sequel series, *The Suite Life on Deck*, aired from 2008 to 2011.
* He wrote the play *Only Kidding*, which opened Off Broadway in 1988.
* He survived by his wife, Annie.
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