Perry Grant, a prolific television writer/producer of 40 years who wrote for more than 35 television shows and was also a creator of games, died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease December 12 at his home in Pacific Palisades. He was 80. A native of San Diego, Grant graduated in psychology from UCLA after serving in the Navy during World War II as an officer on a troop transport ship in the Pacific. While in the Navy he began writing humor pieces for Collier’s and Liberty magazines about Navy life, then worked as regional advertising manager for the A.O. Smith Corp. in Los Angeles after graduating from UCLA (where he wrote for ‘The Claw,’ the campus humor magazine). In 1952, Grant met with writer Dick Bensfield after they learned through a mutual friend that Ozzie Nelson needed a writer for his new television show, ‘Ozzie and Harriet.’ As later recounted in a Palisadian-Post feature, Grant and Bensfield decided to pool their talents and their courage and apply for the job. They were hired, and wrote for the show for all of its 14 years. In between this and finishing his career as executive producer of the Norman Lear sitcom ‘One Day at a Time’ (which ran for 9 years), Grant and Bensfield wrote for more than 35 shows, including the Norman Lear shows ‘Maude,’ ‘The Jeffersons,’ and ‘Good Times,’ and also ‘Lucy,’ ‘Happy Days,’ ‘I Dream of Jeannie,’ ‘The Odd Couple,’ ‘The Doris Day Show,’ ‘Love American Style’ and ‘Mayberry, RFD.’ Meanwhile, at his Palisades home, Grant maintained a workshop in his garage where he created toys and games. He also design furniture for his own personal use just because ‘I like to do things with my hands.’ Most of his designs were Early American and they became financially rewarding as he sold the patterns to magazines. Then he came up with ‘Yertle the Turtle,’ a Dr. Seuss-inspired game. It sold and became a standard along with ‘Smess,’ ‘Bash,’ ‘Hide-N-Thief,’ ‘Bird Brain,’ ‘Hang on Harvey,’ ‘Slapstick’ and ‘Whosit?’ At one point, Grant had 23 of his games (produced by Mattel, Parker Brothers and Milton Bradley) marketed in stores across the country. ‘Perry was a very talented guy in many areas’writing, inventing toys and games, making decorative pieces for his home,’ recalled Bensfield, his writing partner for almost 40 years. ‘He was a nice person and a real gentleman.’ Grant is survived by Edie, his wife of 58 years; his daughter Cheryl of Redondo Beach; and his son Rick and granddaughter Becca of Pacific Palisades.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
