Jay Sommers, the creator, producer, and head writer of "Green Acres", would have turned 100 years old today.
Born in New York on January 3, 1917, Sommers got his start in radio in 1936 writing for performers such as Milton Berle and Jimmy Durante and eventually wrote his own radio show, "Granby's Green Acres", in 1950.
In television he contributed to shows ranging from "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" to "Bachelor Father" before signing on to Paul Henning's "Petticoat Junction" as executive producer and head writer in 1964. It was from here that Sommers created the TV version of "Green Acres" when CBS requested an additional Henning-produced series in 1965.
After "Green Acres" was canceled in 1971, he continued to contribute scripts to such shows as "Good Times" and "Hello, Larry", the latter of which with his longtime writing partner Dick Chevillat.
Sommers died on September 25, 1985 at the age of 68 from a heart ailment. His death came only a few months after being honored at the USC for his work on "Green Acres".
Happy 100th birthday to the late Jay Sommers
