TV producer Paul Junger Witt, best known for his work on the hit television series The Golden Girls, passed away on April 27, 2018 following a long battle with cancer. He was 77 years old.

Paul Junger Witt was born on March 20, 1941 in New York City. After graduating from the University of Virginia, Witt got his start working in the mail room of Columbia Pictures. Eventually, Witt joined comedian-actor Danny Thomas’ production company and partnered with his son Tony on The Partridge Family series and the TV movie Brian’s Song. In 1975, the pair formed Witt/Thomas Productions, which was home to Empty Nest, Blossom, and the original Beauty and the Beast series. The pair later expanded to include writer-producer Susan Harris, whom Witt married in 1983. Harris went on to create the hit series Golden Girls starring the comedic talents of Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty. 

Additional series produced by Witt/Thomas/Harris Productions included It’s a Living, Herman’s Head, Nurses, The John Larroquette Show, Pearl, Hail to the Chief, and the short-lived Golden Girls spinoff The Golden Palace. During its original run, The Golden Girls received 68 Emmy nominations, 11 Emmy awards, and 4 Golden Globe Awards. Outside of television, Witt also produced such films as Dead Poet’s Society, Three Kings, Insomnia, and A Better Life.

A dedicated environmentalist, Witt served as a member of the California State Park and Recreation Commission for 16 years. He was also a board member of EcoAmerica, the Environmental Media Association, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, and the Emmett Institute on Climate Change.

Survivors include Harris and five children. The family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Save the Children, or an environmental organization of choice.