Prolific Sitcom Director Linda Day Dies at 71 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 10-26-2009, 02:40 AM

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Linda Gail Day Varnum, 71, of Georgetown, Tex., and formerly of Los Angeles, CA, departed her earthly bonds on October 23, 2009. Her husband was at her side as she slipped peacefully away. She was assisted by both the outpatient and inpatient staff of the Lighthouse Hospice.

Linda was born in Los Angeles, California, August 12, 1938. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Roy and Sylvia Brickner and her daughter, Lorraine Gutman. Linda is survived by her husband, L. Steve Varnum; her daughter, Heidi Gutman of New York City; and her sister, Nancy Riley, of Oceanside, California. She also leaves a host of friends throughout the United States and the world. She was a very successful television director under her professional name, Linda Day.

Linda was the first woman to receive steady employment as a TV director. To her credit are more than 50 different series and 350 episodes including Married with Children (for which she did the pilot and continued for more than two years), Archie Bunker's Place, Dallas, Kate & Allie, Mad About You, Who's the Boss?, and Clueless. During the 1980's and part of the 1990's, Linda was one of the top 5 television directors currently then working.

Linda was nominated for television's Emmy Award and she received the Humanitas (Paul Newman) Award. She was also recently honored by the Directors Guild of America for paving the way for women in television. She became a member of the Sun City Theater Group and directed several plays there. She was considered an invaluable source to the amateur actors and directors in the play group. She was dearly loved by everyone she touched. Her most recent passion was her husband, Steve, who had been her high school sweetheart. After nearly 50 years, they made contact in 2002 and once again became inseparable.

Although she was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005 and breast cancer this year, Linda and Steve were able to travel extensively and enjoy life to its fullest in everything they did. Wherever they went or whatever they did, Linda rose to the occasion to try it all - they even went zip lining in Hawaii at the age of 70 and 71, respectively. A Celebration of Life memorial will be held in Sun City, Georgetown, Texas, in mid-November.

70s show watcher · 10-26-2009, 05:11 AM

she also directed many eps of gimmie a break durning its first 2 seasons r i p linda

Scoobiedoo30 · 10-26-2009, 01:25 PM

R.I.P.

comedyfreak · 10-27-2009, 08:30 AM

RIP Linda. I remember seeing her name on most of those shows.

catlover79 · 10-27-2009, 08:52 AM

Marvo301 · 10-27-2009, 05:56 PM

Linda Day

10-26-2009, 02:40 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,346	Prolific Sitcom Director Linda Day Dies at 71 Link Linda Gail Day Varnum, 71, of Georgetown, Tex., and formerly of Los Angeles, CA, departed her earthly bonds on October 23, 2009. Her husband was at her side as she slipped peacefully away. She was assisted by both the outpatient and inpatient staff of the Lighthouse Hospice. Linda was born in Los Angeles, California, August 12, 1938. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Roy and Sylvia Brickner and her daughter, Lorraine Gutman. Linda is survived by her husband, L. Steve Varnum; her daughter, Heidi Gutman of New York City; and her sister, Nancy Riley, of Oceanside, California. She also leaves a host of friends throughout the United States and the world. She was a very successful television director under her professional name, Linda Day. Linda was the first woman to receive steady employment as a TV director. To her credit are more than 50 different series and 350 episodes including Married with Children (for which she did the pilot and continued for more than two years), Archie Bunker's Place, Dallas, Kate & Allie, Mad About You, Who's the Boss?, and Clueless. During the 1980's and part of the 1990's, Linda was one of the top 5 television directors currently then working. Linda was nominated for television's Emmy Award and she received the Humanitas (Paul Newman) Award. She was also recently honored by the Directors Guild of America for paving the way for women in television. She became a member of the Sun City Theater Group and directed several plays there. She was considered an invaluable source to the amateur actors and directors in the play group. She was dearly loved by everyone she touched. Her most recent passion was her husband, Steve, who had been her high school sweetheart. After nearly 50 years, they made contact in 2002 and once again became inseparable. Although she was diagnosed with leukemia in 2005 and breast cancer this year, Linda and Steve were able to travel extensively and enjoy life to its fullest in everything they did. Wherever they went or whatever they did, Linda rose to the occasion to try it all - they even went zip lining in Hawaii at the age of 70 and 71, respectively. A Celebration of Life memorial will be held in Sun City, Georgetown, Texas, in mid-November.
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10-26-2009, 01:25 PM	#3
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	R.I.P.
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10-27-2009, 08:30 AM	#4
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	RIP Linda. I remember seeing her name on most of those shows.
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10-27-2009, 08:52 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
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10-27-2009, 05:56 PM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Linda Day
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10-26-2009, 05:11 AM	#2
70s show watcher Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: between point place and studio 8 h Posts: 4,548	she also directed many eps of gimmie a break durning its first 2 seasons r i p linda