Mike Milligan, ‘All in the Family’ and ‘The Jeffersons’ Writer-Producer, Dies at 77

Mike Milligan, a writer and producer on hit television shows All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Maude and Dear John, died on Dec. 20. He was 77.

Milligan died from acute respiratory failure at his home in West Hills, California, his rep told The Hollywood Reporter.

Born Bernard Michael Milligan on Jan. 28, 1947, in Los Angeles, he went on to graduate from Loyola Marymount University. He later served in the Air Force.

Milligan eventually found a passion for writing and producing, working alongside his writing partner of 18 years, Jay Moriarty. Together, they wrote and produced several award-winning TV shows, including 49 episodes of Norman Lear’s The Jeffersons (1978-81). The producing pair received an NAACP Image Award for the show, which was among the first to tackle topics such as suicide, transgender identity and white supremacy in American sitcoms.

As a member of the Writers Guild of America for more than 50 years, Milligan also wrote and produced episodes of All in the Family (1976), Good Times (1974), What’s Happening Now (1985-88), Maude (1975), Dear John (1989-91), Here and Now (1992) and Melba (1986).

Milligan also created and wrote the original Telemundo series Los Beltran (1990-2001) with Carlos Bermudez. The show received an Alma Award for best comedy series, a Golden Eagle Award for outstanding comedy series and an Imagen Foundation Award for best comedy series.

Outside of his work in TV, Milligan collaborated with partner John Harper on workshops about Trauma Informed Care related to the homeless for nonprofit organizations across the country.

Survivors include his wife, Jill; his son, John Milligan; his sister, Jeri (Milligan) Gesto; and his stepdaughters, Dionn Avant and Mischon Beneda.

A memorial service is being planned for later this year.