LOS ANGELES -- Gary Belkin, an Emmy-winning comedy writer who worked on hit sitcoms and classic television shows including Sid Caesar's "Caesar's Hour," "The Carol Burnett Show" and "Sesame Street," has died. He was 78.
The Bronx-born Belkin died Thursday in Los Angeles of emphysema, according to his friend, Mona Charles.
Belkin began his career writing jokes for radio comedians and proposing cartoon ideas to the New Yorker magazine. His break in television came on Caesar's variety show, which ran from 1954 to 1957.
He spent eight years on "The Carol Burnett Show," and also wrote for "Get Smart," "The Doris Day Show," "Three's Company" and "Newhart," as well as specials for celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Anne Bancroft and Day. He also wrote quips and poetry for Muhammad Ali.
Belkin was on the writing staff that won Emmy awards in 1970 for "Annie, The Women in the Life of a Man;" and in 1974 and 1975 for "The Carol Burnett Show," according to the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Web site. He was on writing staffs that were nominated for Emmys four other times.
Among his quips were "friends don't let friends drive Yugos," "less is moronic" and "if you give a man a fish also give him a lemon wedge and basil."
Belkin had no immediate survivors.
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