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Bernie Orenstein: Penning Classics for Decades
15 Oct
Summary
- He was a writer for "Candid Camera" and other shows.
- He penned and produced iconic sitcoms like "Sanford & Son."
- Orenstein's career spanned from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Veteran television writer and producer Bernie Orenstein passed away at the age of 95 on September 14. Orenstein's career began in the 1960s as a writer for "Candid Camera." He quickly transitioned to writing for popular sitcoms and variety shows, including "The Monkees" and "Accident Family."
His significant contributions included penning episodes for "That Girl" and "The New Dick Van Dyke Show." Partnering with Saul Turteltaub, Orenstein became a writer-producer for the highly successful sitcom "Sanford & Son" from 1974 to 1977. The duo also worked on "What's Happening!!" and later produced "Kate & Allie" in its final season.
Orenstein's extensive body of work extended into the 1990s with contributions to shows like "Baby Talk" and "Cosby," his final screen credit. Born in Toronto in 1931, he also had early acting roles in Canadian television before focusing on writing, a path he described as offering continuous employment.
