Garry Shandling

1.1. Birth and Family Background

Garry Emmanuel Shandling was born into a Jewish family in Chicago, Illinois, on November 29, 1949. His mother, Muriel Estelle (née Singer), was a pet store proprietor, and his father, Irving Shandling, owned a print shop. When Shandling was young, his family relocated to the Casa Loma Estates area of Tucson, Arizona, seeking treatment for his older brother, Barry, who suffered from cystic fibrosis. Tragically, Barry died from the disease when Shandling was ten years old, an event that had a significant impact on him.

1.2. Education

After completing his secondary education at Palo Verde High School, Shandling enrolled at the University of Arizona. Initially, he pursued a degree in electrical engineering, but he later changed his focus and completed a degree in marketing. He then continued his academic journey with a year of postgraduate studies in creative writing. An early encounter that foreshadowed his future career occurred when Shandling was 19, driving two hours to a club in Phoenix to show jokes to the comedian George Carlin, who encouraged him to continue writing, noting that he had "funny stuff on every page."

2.1. Early Writing and Stand-up Comedy

Shandling moved to Los Angeles in 1973, initially working at an advertising agency. He soon transitioned into television writing, selling a script for the popular NBC sitcom Sanford and Son. He also contributed scripts to Welcome Back, Kotter and attended story meetings for Three's Company. A pivotal moment occurred during a Three's Company meeting when a producer's comment about a character's dialogue led Shandling to realize he couldn't continue in that environment, prompting his decision to pursue stand-up comedy.

In 1978, Shandling performed his first stand-up routine at The Comedy Store. A year later, he was one of the few comedians who crossed the picket line during a boycott organized by a group of performers protesting owner Mitzi Shore's policy of not paying comedians. This decision was attributed to Shandling's family's anti-union views and his status as a successful sitcom writer seeking to break into stand-up. His onstage persona was characterized by an anxiety-ridden, nervous, uptight, and seemingly conservative demeanor, often appearing on the verge of a breakdown.

His stand-up career gained momentum after he was booked for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1981. Shandling frequently filled in for Carson as a guest host until 1987, at which point he dedicated more time to his own cable television projects. His departure left Jay Leno to become the permanent guest host and eventually Carson's successor. Shandling also performed several televised stand-up specials for Showtime, including Garry Shandling: Alone in Vegas (1984) and The Garry Shandling Show: 25th Anniversary Special (1986). In 1991, his special Garry Shandling: Stand-Up was part of the HBO Comedy Hour.

2.2. Television Series

Shandling is most widely recognized for his innovative and influential work on two television series that redefined the sitcom format.

2.2.2. The Larry Sanders Show

Following the success of his first series, Shandling launched The Larry Sanders Show on HBO in 1992. This critically acclaimed mockumentary sitcom ran for 89 episodes until 1998. The series was largely based on Shandling's experiences as a guest host on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, offering a satirical look at the inner workings of a late-night talk show.

In 1993, Shandling was offered 5.00 M USD by NBC to take over Late Night after David Letterman's move to CBS. He declined this offer, as well as a subsequent offer to host The Late Late Show, choosing instead to continue his work on The Larry Sanders Show. Shandling wrote 38 episodes of the series and directed three during its final season. He garnered 18 Emmy Award nominations for the show, including five for acting, seven for writing, and six as a co-executive producer with Brad Grey. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for the series finale, titled "Flip". Additionally, he received two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actor (Musical or Comedy) in 1994 and 1995, two American Comedy Awards for Funniest Male Performance in a Comedy Series, eight CableACE Awards, and a BAFTA Award.

The Larry Sanders Show proved highly influential, inspiring later programs such as Entourage, 30 Rock, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, particularly in their use of guest stars portraying themselves. The show was recognized as the 38th Greatest Show of All Time by TV Guide in 2002. In 2008, Entertainment Weekly ranked it as the 28th Best Show of the past 25 years, and it was also included in Time magazine's 100 Greatest Shows of All Time. The first season was re-released in 2007, alongside a collection titled Not Just the Best of the Larry Sanders Show, which featured Shandling's selection of the best 23 episodes. In October 2012, Shandling reunited with cast members from The Larry Sanders Show, including Rip Torn, Jeffrey Tambor, Sarah Silverman, Penny Johnson Jerald, Wallace Langham, and Mary Lynn Rajskub, for Entertainment Weekly's Reunions issue.

2.3. Film Roles and Voice Acting

Shandling occasionally appeared in films, beginning with an uncredited cameo as Mr. Vertisey in The Night We Never Met (1993). He took on supporting roles in Love Affair (1994) and Mixed Nuts (1994). In 1998, he lent his voice to a live-action pigeon in Dr. Dolittle and appeared in the film adaptation of David Rabe's play, Hurlyburly. He wrote and starred in Mike Nichols's 2000 film What Planet Are You From?, and co-starred with Warren Beatty in Town & Country (2001). He also had a brief cameo in Zoolander (2001).

One of his most notable voice roles was as Verne the turtle in Over the Hedge (2006). Shandling also played a recurring role as Senator Stern in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in Iron Man 2 (2010) and reprising the role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014). He had an uncredited cameo as a health inspector in The Dictator (2012). His final performance was as the voice of Ikki in the 2016 live-action adaptation of The Jungle Book, which was released posthumously and dedicated to his memory. His final film appearance was as himself in the documentary Dying Laughing (2016).

2.4. Hosting and Other Appearances

Beyond his acting and writing, Shandling was a recognized host for major award ceremonies. He hosted the Grammy Awards four times (in 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1994) and the Emmy Awards twice (in 2000 and 2004), in addition to co-hosting the opening monologue in 2003.

He made other notable television appearances, including starring as himself representing Fox Mulder, alongside Téa Leoni as Dana Scully, in The X-Files season 7 spoof episode "Hollywood A.D." in 2000. In February 2010, Shandling was staying at the same hotel in Waipio Valley that Conan O'Brien checked into after his departure from The Tonight Show. They spent their entire vacations together, with Shandling notably helping O'Brien during that difficult period. Shandling was also a longtime friend of Jerry Seinfeld, and two months before his death, he appeared on Seinfeld's show Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

4.1. Relationships

Shandling never married and did not have children. From 1987 to 1994, he shared an apartment with his fiancée, actress Linda Doucett, who also played a role as Hank Kingsley's assistant Darlene in The Larry Sanders Show. After their separation in 1994, Shandling dismissed her from the show, leading Doucett to file a lawsuit against his production company, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, for sexual discrimination and wrongful termination. The case was settled out of court in 1997 for 1.00 M USD. Later, Doucett revealed that the primary reason for their split was Shandling's reluctance to have children, stemming from his fear that they might inherit cystic fibrosis, the genetic condition that had claimed his brother Barry's life.

Shandling also briefly dated actress Sharon Stone, with whom he shared acting coach Roy London. Despite their romantic relationship being short-lived, they remained close friends until Shandling's death. Stone appeared on The Larry Sanders Show in an episode titled "The Mr. Sharon Stone Show."

4.2. Health and Philosophical Views

In 1977, Shandling was involved in a severe car crash in Beverly Hills, California, which left him in critical condition for two days and hospitalized for two weeks due to a crushed spleen. While recovering, he experienced a vivid near-death experience that he later recounted, stating that a voice asked him, "Do you want to continue leading Garry Shandling's life?" His immediate "Yes" to this question, he explained, fundamentally drove his subsequent life and work, providing him with a profound realization of deeper meaning. This accident is also cited as an inspiration for him to pursue a career in comedy, and he later incorporated the experience into his stand-up routines.

Shandling suffered from hyperparathyroidism, a serious condition that can often go undiagnosed or untreated. If left unmanaged, it can lead to severe complications, including osteoporosis, high blood pressure, kidney stones, kidney failure, stroke, and cardiac arrhythmias. He was a devoted Buddhist and regularly practiced meditation. His interest in Zen Buddhism and self-exploration was significantly influenced by his acting coach, Roy London, whom Shandling referred to as "the most important man ever in my life." London's guidance encouraged him to strip away everything but his essence, working simultaneously on life and acting, a philosophy that deeply shaped his creative process, particularly for The Larry Sanders Show.

4.3. Hobbies and Interests

Despite his public persona, Shandling maintained a private life with diverse interests. He enjoyed playing basketball and was an avid practitioner of boxing, training four times per week. He even co-owned a boxing gym in Santa Monica, California, called TSB 44 (Tough Strong Bold No. 44), with actor and director Peter Berg. Shandling was also a licensed amateur radio operator, holding the callsigns WA7BKG, KD6OY, and KQ6KA. He occasionally used the pseudonym Dave Waddell for his radio operations to avoid unwanted attention.

5.1. Circumstances and Cause

Garry Shandling died on March 24, 2016, at the age of 66, at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Reports from the Los Angeles Police Department indicated that he had suddenly collapsed at his home and was rushed to the hospital after calling 911 for help. He was unconscious upon the paramedics' arrival. The official autopsy report later confirmed that Shandling died from a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in his lungs, which developed from blood clots in his legs. He had reportedly been feeling unwell during a trip to Hawaii for major dental surgery and had complained of leg pain and shortness of breath at the time. His underlying condition of hyperparathyroidism is also considered a contributing factor, as it can increase the risk of blood clots and heart-related complications.

5.2. Posthumous Philanthropy

Following his death, Shandling's estate, while having a liquid value of around 668.00 K USD initially granted to his lawyer and best friend Bill Isaacson due to Shandling having no immediate family, held the vast majority of his wealth in a private trust he had established. On February 4, 2019, his estate made a substantial bequest of 15.20 M USD to benefit medical research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. This significant gift established and endowed the Garry Shandling Endocrine Surgery Research Fund, the Garry Shandling Infectious Diseases Innovation Fund, and the Garry Shandling Pancreatic Diseases Fund. The remaining portion of the bequest created the Garry Shandling Medical Research Fund, which operates under the direction of the medical school's dean. In honor of his contributions, UCLA also named the Garry Shandling Learning Studio, a 6.40 K adj=on multipurpose space within Geffen Hall, the medical school's educational building.

6.1. Awards and Recognition

Throughout his distinguished four-decade career, Garry Shandling received significant recognition for his work. He was nominated for 19 Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. In addition to these, Shandling won two British Comedy Awards, and a remarkable 12 CableACE Awards, with eight of these specifically for The Larry Sanders Show and four for It's Garry Shandling's Show. He also earned a BAFTA Award and was nominated for two Writers Guild of America Awards for The Larry Sanders Show. He received three American Comedy Awards and two Satellite Award nominations. In 2004, the Austin Film Festival honored him with its Outstanding Television Writer Award, acknowledging his significant contributions to television writing.

6.2. Influence on Comedy

Shandling is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the evolution of comedy, particularly for his innovative deconstruction of television formats. His first series, It's Garry Shandling's Show, pioneered the concept of breaking the fourth wall, with characters openly acknowledging the artificiality of their existence within a TV show. This meta-comedic approach laid groundwork for future self-aware and experimental sitcoms.

His second series, The Larry Sanders Show, further cemented his influence by popularizing the mockumentary style, offering a behind-the-scenes satirical look at the chaotic and ego-driven world of a late-night talk show. This show directly influenced later acclaimed series such as Entourage, 30 Rock, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, which frequently featured guest stars portraying themselves and embraced a more realistic, unscripted feel. Comedians often cite Shandling as an inspiration. After his death, many close friends and colleagues, including Conan O'Brien, Jeffrey Tambor, Bill Maher, Kathy Griffin, Sarah Silverman, and Kevin Nealon, paid tribute to his unique comedic genius and profound impact on their own work and on the genre as a whole.

6.3. Criticism and Controversies

While widely celebrated for his artistic contributions, Shandling's career was not without controversy. A notable legal dispute arose in 1997 when his former fiancée, Linda Doucett, filed a lawsuit against Shandling and his production company, Brillstein-Grey Entertainment. Doucett alleged sexual discrimination and wrongful termination after being dismissed from The Larry Sanders Show following the end of their relationship. The case was ultimately settled out of court for 1.00 M USD. This incident highlighted the complexities of personal and professional boundaries within the entertainment industry and raised questions about workplace conduct.

7.1. Film

7.2. Television

7.3. As Writer