Content overview: “Tim O’Donnell, TV Comedy Writer-Director Behind ‘Growing Pains’ and ‘Dave’s World,’ Dies a”. Tim O’Donnell, a veteran television comedy writer and director whose credits include beloved sitcoms “Growing Pains,” “Dave’s World,” and “Phil of the Future,” died on July 27 at his home in Glendale, California. O’Donnell had battled bladder cancer for three years. A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. on August 10 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.
O’Donnell’s career spanned decades, shaping the tone of family-friendly and workplace comedies that defined an era of television. He wrote and directed multiple episodes of “Growing Pains,” the ABC hit that launched Kirk Cameron’s career, and served as a key creative force on CBS’s “Dave’s World,” starring Harry Anderson, which ran for four seasons. Later, he worked on Disney Channel’s “Phil of the Future,” introducing his comedic sensibilities to a new generation. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.