Dan McGrath, a renowned television comedy writer known for his contributions to iconic shows, passed away on Friday at the age of 61. His career began in the early nineties with a guest writing stint on Saturday Night Live during its 16th season, eventually leading to a full-time position the following year.
A Harvard alum and a former vice president of The Harvard Lampoon, McGrath garnered attention for his unique and quirky sketches at SNL, including memorable pieces such as “Frank Gannon, P.I. P.I.” (Politically Incorrect Private Investigator) and “Leevi’s Three-Legged Jeans.” Although he made significant strides in the comedy world through his work on SNL, he also gained fame for his substantial contributions to The Simpsons, where he co-wrote 50 episodes from 1992 to 1994 and returned in 1996 for another 24 episodes as a producer. Despite his successes, McGrath faced challenges during his career, including being fired twice from The Simpsons.
In addition to his work on The Simpsons, McGrath was involved with King of the Hill, contributing to 11 written episodes and overseeing 28 as a producer from 2002 to 2010. His television portfolio also includes roles in Gravity Falls, Mission Hill, Muppets Tonight, and The PJ’s.
McGrath was nominated for an Emmy Award for his sketches on SNL in 1992 and went on to win an Emmy for the popular 1997 episode of The Simpsons titled “Homer’s Phobia.”
His sister, Gail McGrath Garabedian, expressed her grief on Facebook, stating, “We lost my incredible brother Danny yesterday. He was a special man, one of a kind. An incredible son, brother, uncle and friend. Our hearts are broken.” She later shared that McGrath’s cause of death was a stroke.
McGrath’s legacy in television comedy will remain influential, reflecting the creativity and humor he brought to some of the most beloved shows in the industry. His unique voice and inventive sketch ideas have left a lasting impact, celebrating the art of comedy.