Wikipedia:
Garry Emmanuel Shandling (November 29, 1949 – March 24,
2016) was an American comedian, actor, writer, producer and director.
He was best known for his work in It's Garry Shandling's
Show and The Larry Sanders Show.
Shandling died on March 24,
2016. The Los Angeles Police Department reported that he
suddenly collapsed and was rushed to a hospital, suffering from an
apparent medical emergency. He had suffered "a massive heart
attack".
It's Garry Shandling's Show
It's Garry Shandling's Show
Shandling and co-writer Alan
Zweibel went on to create the surreal comedy series It's
Garry Shandling's Show in 1985. It ran for 72 episodes on the
Showtime cable television network through 1990. The edited reruns
played on the Fox network beginning in 1988. Shandling
wrote 15 episodes of the show.
The series subverted the standard sitcom format by having its characters openly acknowledge that they were all part of a TV show. Building on a concept that harked back to The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, in which George Burns would frequently break the "fourth wall" and speak directly to the audience, Shandling's show went so far as to incorporate the audience and elements of the studio itself into the storylines, calling attention to the artifice of the show.
The show was nominated for four Emmy Awards, including one for Shandling. He won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performance in a Series, and won four CableACE awards, two for Best Comedy Series. The show also won an award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy from the Television Critics Association.
The series subverted the standard sitcom format by having its characters openly acknowledge that they were all part of a TV show. Building on a concept that harked back to The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, in which George Burns would frequently break the "fourth wall" and speak directly to the audience, Shandling's show went so far as to incorporate the audience and elements of the studio itself into the storylines, calling attention to the artifice of the show.
The show was nominated for four Emmy Awards, including one for Shandling. He won an American Comedy Award for Funniest Male Performance in a Series, and won four CableACE awards, two for Best Comedy Series. The show also won an award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy from the Television Critics Association.