Deadline reports David W. Duclon (Punky Brewster), a prominent writer and producer of 1980s and 1990s television comedies, passed away on January 15 at the age of 74 after battling a long illness. Hailing from Rockford, Illinois, Duclon, born Warren David Duclon, carved out a remarkable career shaping some of TV’s most beloved sitcoms.
His television journey began in the 1970s, contributing to iconic shows such as The Odd Couple, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, The Jeffersons and Diff’rent Strokes. Duclon’s earliest writing credits were on The Odd Couple, where he worked alongside Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman), who played a pivotal role in mentoring him as a showrunner. This collaboration continued as Duclon wrote for Happy Days and its spinoff, Laverne & Shirley.
By the late 1970s, Duclon had transitioned to creating his own sitcoms. In 1979, he developed CBS’s Working Stiffs, starring James Belushi (According to Jim) and Michael Keaton (Dopesick, Spotlight). He later co-developed NBC’s Silver Spoons in 1982, which ran for five seasons and co-created Fox’s Boys Will Be Boys in 1987, featuring a young Matthew Perry (Friends).
Perhaps Duclon’s most enduring work was the creation of Punky Brewster in 1984. The series, which aired for four seasons—two on NBC and two in syndication—catapulted Soleil Moon Frye (Sabrina the Teenage Witch) to stardom as the titular character and became a hallmark of 1980s pop culture. The show earned three Emmy nominations, including two for Outstanding Children’s Program.
After leaving Hollywood, Duclon returned to his roots in Illinois but continued to honor his legacy. He was actively involved in the 2021 revival of Punky Brewster, serving as an executive producer.
Duclon’s influence is evident in the shows he created and the careers he helped shape. His legacy remains alive in the television industry through his work and the next generation of writers and showrunners he inspired.