BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.–Writer and director Joel Rapp, who wrote for many famous sitcoms, including “The Donna Reed Show,” “McHale’s Navy” and “Gilligan’s Island, died at his home here Sept. 15. He was 87.

By the the 1960s he had reached the office of vice president for Universal Pictures when he chucked it all to go into the indoor plant business.

MSTies may recall that he wrote and directed the movie in episode 618- HIGH SCHOOL BIG SHOT.

The Hollywood Reporter has the story.

Thanks to Tim and Gordon for their heads ups.

AVENTURA, FLA. — Standup comedian and actor Art Metrano, perhaps best known as the pompous cop boss in the second and third Police Academy films, or as a regular on the 1982-83 ABC sitcom “Joanie Loves Chachi,” died at his home here Sept. 8. He was 84.

MSTies will remember his straight role as the truck driver in the movie in episode 205- ROCKET ATTACK U.S.A.

His career skyrocketed in 1970 after he performed a bit as The Amazing Metrano on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” a mock-magic routine which so tickled Carson that, at the end of the act, the virtually unknown comedian was invited to sit next to Carson — great honor in the comedy world.

The Hollywood Reporter has the story.