David W. Duclon dead at 74: Punky Brewster creator and Happy Days writer passes away in Illinois

David W. Duclon, a prominent television writer-producer known for creating Punky Brewster, has died at the age of 74.

The 1980s and 1990s comedy writer passed away on Wednesday in Illinois after a long illness, as per Deadline. 

Duclon — born Warren David Duclon — was also known for co-developing Silver Spoons, the 1982 sitcom that ran for five seasons.

He launched his career as a writer on iconic 1970s sitcoms including The Odd Couple, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, The Jeffersons, and Diff’rent Strokes. 

His series Punky Brewster originally aired from 1984 to 1988. It follows the life of Punky Brewster (played by Soleil Moon Frye), an orphaned girl who is taken in by a widowed photographer named Henry Warnimont (George Gaynes). 

Duclon recently served as an executive producer on the 2021 revival of the show

David W. Duclon, a prominent television writer-producer known for creating Punky Brewster, has died at the age of 74

His series Punky Brewster originally aired from 1984 to 1988. It follows the life of Punky Brewster (played by Soleil Moon Frye), an orphaned girl; Frye seen in a still

His series Punky Brewster originally aired from 1984 to 1988. It follows the life of Punky Brewster (played by Soleil Moon Frye), an orphaned girl; Frye seen in a still 

Duclon was born in Rockford, Illinois in 1950.

He graduated from Rockford West Public High School. 

He married wife Deborah in 1980. The couple went on to divorce in 2003.

Together, they have one daughter who is a fashion stylist in New York City.

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