Dale McRaven Tragic Cause of Death: 'Perfect Strangers' Creator Dead After 4-Years Struggle
Dale McRaven, who notably helmed "Perfect Strangers" and "Mork & Mindy," has died. He was 83.
McRaven left the industry and world for good as his son, David McRaven, confirmed his death. He sent an exclusive statement to The Hollywood Reporter, saying that the patriarch passed away on September 5 at his Porter Ranch, California, home.
According to David, his father died after suffering complications from lung cancer he had been struggling with for years.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that the disease occurs when cancer starts in a person's lungs. From there, it can spread to lymph nodes and other organs. Some of its symptoms include coughing that worsens over time, chest pain, weight loss, fatigue, and coughing up blood, among others.
The dreaded disease can lead to pneumonia and swollen lymph nodes.
Details about his funeral were not immediately known to the public. Aside from David, McRaven was survived by his daughter, daughter-in-law, and niece.
@MarkHamill I thought you should know, if you didn't hear... I am Dale McRaven's grandson... he passed away on Monday morning. pic.twitter.com/c6OPsbMPZR
— JustinTyme (Absurdly Epic) (@justintyme) September 9, 2022
Dale McRaven's Journey to TV, Film Industry
The Illinois native was raised in Chicago and Phoenix. He tried pursuing his career in Hollywood in 1957 when he sold his first script to Steve Allen.
A few years later, his "Mork & Mindy" co-creator Garry Marshall hired him and made him the staff writer of "The Joey Bishop Show" fourth and last season. In 1965, Sheldon Leonard tapped him and Carl Kleinschmidt to work together in "The Dick Van Dyke Show," the program that gave them a WGA award.
The duo worked together and created more shows from there, writing for "Good Morning World," "The Odd Couple," and "Gomer Pyle: USMC."
When they parted ways, McRaven scored spots in "The Partridge Family," writing and producing the show while working on creating albums of its band. Cast members Shirley Jones, David Cassidy, Danny Bonaduce, and Susan Dey worked on the albums above.
McRaven then added a brainchild under his belt and created "The Texas Wheelers." Although it only lasted eight episodes, the late showrunner said it was the most favorite program he ever made.
In the following years, he dedicated himself to "Mork & Mindy" with Marshall. He became part of the show throughout its four-season run from September 1978 to May 1982.
His other works include "Taxi," "Room 222," "The Betty White Show," and "American Style."
Meanwhile, his IMDb page says he had over 26 credits as a writer, 11 credits as a producer, three credits as an additional crew, and one credit as a member of a script and continuity department.
