David Mirkin

Former stand-up comedian David Mirkin began his career as a TV writer dreaming up titillating scenarios to be stumbled into by the clumsily swinging bachelor Jack Tripper on the 1977-1984 comedy-of-errors "Three's Company." Recognized for his character writing as much as for his ability to conceive pratfalls, he was immediately thereafter picked up for the legendary comedian Bob Newhart's droll self-titled sitcom "Newhart," becoming one of the series' directors and executive producers by the end of its run. In the early 1990s, Mirkin created the pop-culture-skewering sketch show "The Edge" and the consummately surreal, Chris-Elliott-starring sitcom parody "Get a Life," two short-lived series that went on to build a rabid cult following. The writer-director-producer is most widely recognized for his work on the TV-comedy juggernaut "The Simpsons," serving as show runner, executive producer, and frequent voice director of the animated comedy's fifth and sixth seasons. The sole episode he wrote for the series, "Deep Space Homer," is among the most quoted installments in its history. While staying on "The Simpsons" as a part-time consultant (and co-writer of the show's movie adaptation), Mirkin has helmed such feature films as the 2001 swindler comedy "Heartbreakers" and ditzy-duo farce "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion."