TV Writer-Producer Myles Wilder Dies at 77

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Veteran television comedy writer and producer Myles Wilder, who wrote for such classic smallscreen shows as "McHale's Navy," died April 20 of complications from diverticulitis in Temecula, Calif. He was 77.

Wilder, nephew to helmer Billy Wilder and whose father was B-movie director-producer W. Lee Wilder, started writing for popular radio series, "The Whistler," during his years at UCLA theater school.

Following a stint in the Army, Wilder and his wife moved to London where he worked on the series "The Adventures of Marco Polo."

Upon returning to the U.S., he became a successful writer-producer of comedy series for more than 40 years. Besides "McHale's Navy" for which he was twice Emmy-nommed, his credits include "The Lucy Show," "The Doris Day Show," "Gomer Pyle," "My Three Sons," "The Brady Bunch," "Get Smart," "The Tim Conway Comedy Hour," "Diff'rent Strokes" and "The Dukes of Hazzard."

Wilder was known for his witty and wry sense of humor, culinary prowess and his love for dogs.

During his varied career, he also worked for Walt Disney developing movies and was in charge of daytime TV for the Hanna/Barbera Studios, where he oversaw the writing and production of "Inch High Private Eye" and "Hong Kong Phooey," among many other animated classics.

He also sold a novel, "Freeze," to Warner Bros.

Wilder retired from the biz in 1994 and became an avocado grower in Temecula.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Bobbe; daughter Kim Wilder-Lee; and two grandchildren.

A memorial will be held at 10 a.m. April 28 at the England Family Mortuary in Temecula.
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