Alan Kirschenbaum | |
---|---|
Born | [1] New York, U.S. | April 19, 1961
Died | October 26, 2012
Burbank,
California, U.S. | (aged 51)
Occupation(s) | Television producer and writer, harness horseman |
Spouse(s) | Vicki Juditz (?-his death; 1 child) |
Parent(s) |
Freddie Roman Ethel Kirschenbaum |
Alan Kirschenbaum (April 19, 1961 – October 26, 2012) was an American television sitcom producer and writer.
Kirschenbaum was born in New York [1] to stand-up comedian Freddie Roman [2] [3] (a.k.a. Fred Kirschenbaum) [4] and Ethel Kirschenbaum. He had a sister, Judi. [5] Alan's paternal great-grandfather owned the Crystal Springs Hotel in the Catskills, where Freddie Roman began performing. [4]
Alan attended high school in New City, New York in Rockland County. [6] He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business with a degree in marketing in 1983. [4] [1]
His early work in television was as a writer for the Judd Hirsch sitcom Dear John [1] and the short-lived Everything's Relative. [3] He directed some episodes of the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond (created by his high school friend Philip Rosenthal) [4] and was the head writer for Coach for three seasons. [7] He was a writer for Baby Talk, [8] a co-creator, writer and producer of the sitcom Yes, Dear, a producer/writer on Raising Hope, creator of Down the Shore (hiring college friend Lew Schneider in the leading role and Phil Rosenthal to help with writing), [4] and co-creator of the unaired series Friend Me. [8] He was a producer on Stark Raving Mad (an episode of which his father appeared in as himself) and Center of the Universe. [4]
Kirschenbaum was also very involved in the sport of harness racing. He worked as a racehorse trainer in college at Liberty Bell Race Track in Philadelphia and at the Meadowlands Racetrack [4] in northern New Jersey for three years [1] and reporter/commentator for ESPN [6] on their Breeders Crown broadcasts. Kirschenbaum was an owner and horse breeder for many years. Kirschenbaum was also a supporter of the California Sire Stakes for harness horses. He was a supporter of the California Harness Horseman's Association, serving as president, along with being an avid amateur driver, racing in several East vs. West Coast challenges. [9]
Additionally, Kirschenbaum worked as an instructor for the UCLA Extension Writers Program. [5]
Kirschenbaum and his wife, actress and storyteller Vicki Juditz, had a daughter, Molly [1] (born c. 1999). [6]
He died by suicide on October 26, 2012. [8] He was found dead in his home in Burbank, California. [1] His funeral was in New City, New York. [9]