Bernie Orenstein, Co-Writer of ‘That Girl’ and ‘The New Dick Van Dyke Show,’ Dies at 95

Bernie Orenstein, the co-writer and co-producer of “The New Dick Van Dyke Show,” died on Sept. 14, his family confirmed. He was 95.

The television comedy writer and producer frequently collaborated with his partner, Saul Turteltaub, whom he wrote and produced TV hits such as “The New Dick Van Dyke Show,” the 1970s follow-up to the original hit series, “That Girl” “The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show,” “Kate & Allie,” “What’s Happening!!” and “Cosby.” The duo also worked on “Sanford and Son.” Orenstein previously shared that the show’s star Redd Foxx was very protective of “the two white Jewish guys writing a Black show.”

Throughout his 40-year career, Orenstein worked with notable names such as Joan Rivers, Dean Martin, Judy Garland, Dick Van Dyke, Marlo Thomas and Bing Crosby.

Outside of his work on television, Orenstein dedicated his time to serving as a mentor and educator to rising writers and producers at Long Island University Brooklyn’s TV Writers Studio MFA program.

In his 2016 interview with the Television Academy Foundation, Orenstein reflected on his career and shared he was the most proud of everything he’s done. “I’ve hung around a long time,” he said.

When asked how he’d like to be remembered, Orenstein said, “By the body of work and the fact that I never hurt anybody.”

Orenstein was born in Toronto in 1931 and later moved to New York City to write for the reality series “Candid Camera.” He then wrote for “The Hollywood Palace” before beginning his partnership with Turteltaub.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Rhoades Orenstein; his children, Lisa, Barbara, Jenny and Alec; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.