Television writer and producer Steven Sunshine has passed away at the age of 81. He died on March 15 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, after a prolonged struggle with progressive supranuclear palsy.

Career Highlights

Sunshine contributed to popular shows such as The New Odd Couple and Webster, along with the film Son of the Pink Panther. He also served nearly two decades as a Daytime Emmy-winning senior producer on the entertainment program Extra, where he arranged exclusive interviews with high-profile figures including Al Pacino, former President Barack Obama, and Alec Baldwin.

Tribute from Colleagues

An Extra spokesperson shared a heartfelt statement: “Our ‘Extra’ family was hit with sad news this week. We lost a beloved member of our team who, for all of us, will forever be remembered as a ray of sunshine.”

The spokesperson added: “For 18 years, Steve Sunshine was ‘Extra’s’ star whisperer, landing exclusive interviews with everyone from Alec Baldwin to Al Pacino — even President Obama and First Lady Michelle. And Steve was utterly devoted to his wife, Maddie. They were the creative force behind the sitcoms Webster and Julie starring Julie Andrews, and films that included Son of the Pink Panther and Serrano: The Musical.”

Personal Life and Collaborations

Born on March 9, 1945, in the Bronx, New York City, Sunshine earned his degree from the University of Buffalo. He collaborated extensively with his wife of 56 years, Madeline Sunshine, a published children’s author, playwright, and novelist.

Together, they developed Serrano: The Musical, directed by Joel Zwick, which blended elements of Tony Soprano and Cyrano de Bergerac. The couple also created the 1989 CBS sitcom The People Next Door.