Steven Sunshine, ‘Webster’ Writer-Producer and ‘Extra’ Senior Producer, Dies at 81

Steven Sunshine, an award-winning TV and movie writer-producer who worked “Webster,” “The New Odd Couple” and on the news broadcast show “Extra,” died on March 15 from progressive supranuclear palsy in Chapel Hill, N.C. He was 81.

Sunshine’s family friend Diane Weder confirmed his death to Variety.

Sunshine was born in the Bronx, New York City on March 9, 1945. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo.

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He often worked with Madeline Sunshine, his wife of 56 years, and TV and movie writing/producer partner. Madeline Sunshine is also a novelist, published children’s author and playwright.

Together, the couple worked on the sitcoms “The New Odd Couple,” “The People Next Door,” “Julie” and “Webster,” for which Sunshine won a Writers Guild of America Award for television in the genre of episodic comedy. The pair also helped co-write the 1993 film “Son of Pink Panther” and put on a play titled “Serrano the Musical” in Los Angeles in 2015.

Sunshine was also a co-director with Howie Mandel on the 2012 documentary “Committed,” and a senior producer on “Extra TV,” helping schedule guests including Michelle and Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Marco Rubio, and Elizabeth Warren. The show won two Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Entertainment News Program while Sunshine was senior producer.

In 1989, Sunshine was a founding member of and active participant in the Creative Coalition, working with other directors, producers, writers and actors to provide accurate, articulate political information in their capacity as sources for news media and public speaking. 

Sunshine is survived by his wife, Madeline Sunshine.