John Sullivan (writer)
John Richard Thomas Sullivan OBE (23 December 1946 – 22 April 2011) was an English television scriptwriter responsible for several British sitcoms, including Only Fools and Horses, Citizen Smith and Just Good Friends.
John Sullivan OBE | |
|---|---|
Sullivan in 2010 | |
| Born | John Richard Thomas Sullivan 23 December 1946 Balham, South London, England |
| Died | 22 April 2011 (aged 64) Surrey, England |
| Occupation | Screenwriter |
| Period | 1977–2011 |
| Notable works |
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| Spouse |
Sharon Usher (m. 1974) |
| Children | 3, including Jim |
From working-class South London, Sullivan worked in a variety of low-paid jobs for 15 years before getting his first break writing sketches for The Two Ronnies, which led to writing the sitcom Citizen Smith (1977–1980). He became best known for his next sitcom, Only Fools and Horses (1981–2003). Other sitcoms include Dear John, Sitting Pretty, Roger Roger, and The Green Green Grass. In addition, he wrote the comedy drama serial Over Here and the drama series Micawber for ITV, and co-wrote the comedy Heartburn Hotel.
Sullivan's work won him a number of comedy awards, including the BAFTA for best sitcom on three occasions, and he was made an OBE in 2005. His last work was Rock & Chips, a comedy drama prequel to Only Fools and Horses. The final episode of Sullivan's last comedy series aired six days after his death from pneumonia on 22 April 2011.