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IMDbPro

John Donley(I)

  • Additional Crew
  • Writer
  • Script and Continuity Department
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
John Donley
JOHN DONLEY

John Donley has been a successful television writer for more than 20 years. He has written for such hit shows as "WHO'S THE BOSS" ( executive story editor), " COS" starring BILL COSBY (staff writer), "BENSON" (PRODUCER), "DIFF'RENT STROKES" (story editor ), "SANFORD AND SON" (staff writer), "FAMILY MATTERS", "THE JEFFERSONS", "GOOD TIMES", "BARNABY JONES", and others. He has created and written three (un-produced) network pilot scripts: "MONROE AND THE DARNELLS" (ABC), "SOUTH SIDE" (CBS), and "RUCKER HOUSE" (CBS).

In 1982, John was awarded the NAACP Image Award for best sitcom episode for his work on Diff'Rent Strokes.

His film credits include "DOCTOR WONDERFUL", a comedy feature written with Bill Cosby.

In addition to his writing talent, John is a creative entrepreneur. He formed "Lodestar Production" in 1989 and obtained a development deal with Universal Studios. At Universal, John wrote "A FLIP OF THE COIN", a comedy feature. In 1990 he formed "John Donley Productions (JDP). Through JDP, John created and produced an hour television special, "ON THE SET", featuring Sinbad and Curtis Mayfield. In 1992 he created and produced "SIDE ONE," a music critique pilot. In 2005 he created and produced "THE LOVE COURT," a comedy game show starring Mother Love.

John, serving as Segment Producer, produced one unaired episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show featuring Dr. Michael Beckwith, founder of the Agape Spiritual Center.

John believes in giving back to his people. He shares his talent by teaching writing skills in South Los Angeles and Watts.

John is also a committed activist for justice. He's involved in several organizations dedicated to the pursuit of equality and fair play for minorities. His idols are activists Paul Robeson and Harry Belafonte.
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    Known for

    Alyssa Milano, Tony Danza, Katherine Helmond, Danny Pintauro, and Judith Light in Who's the Boss? (1984)
    Who's the Boss?
    6.6
    TV Series
    • Writer
    Robert Guillaume in Benson (1979)
    Benson
    7.2
    TV Series
    • Additional Crew
    Buddy Ebsen in Barnaby Jones (1973)
    Barnaby Jones
    7.0
    TV Series
    • Writer
    John Amos, Ralph Carter, Ja'net DuBois, Esther Rolle, BernNadette Stanis, and Jimmie 'JJ' Walker in Good Times (1974)
    Good Times
    7.5
    TV Series
    • Writer

    Credits

    IMDbPro

    Additional Crew



    • Robert Guillaume in Benson (1979)
      Benson
      7.2
      TV Series
      • story editor
      • 1985–1986
    • Todd Bridges, Gary Coleman, and Dana Plato in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
      Diff'rent Strokes
      6.7
      TV Series
      • program consultant
      • story editor
      • 1981–1983

    Writer



    • The Upper Hand (1990)
      The Upper Hand
      6.6
      TV Series
      • written by
      • 1992–1993
    • Alyssa Milano, Tony Danza, Katherine Helmond, Danny Pintauro, and Judith Light in Who's the Boss? (1984)
      Who's the Boss?
      6.6
      TV Series
      • written by
      • teleplay by
      • story by
      • 1987–1989
    • Robert Guillaume in Benson (1979)
      Benson
      7.2
      TV Series
      • teleplay by
      • written by
      • story by
      • 1985–1986
    • The Redd Foxx Show (1986)
      The Redd Foxx Show
      6.9
      TV Series
      • written by
      • 1986
    • Todd Bridges, Gary Coleman, and Dana Plato in Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
      Diff'rent Strokes
      6.7
      TV Series
      • written by
      • teleplay by
      • 1981–1983
    • Redd Foxx in Sanford (1980)
      Sanford
      6.7
      TV Series
      • written by
      • 1980
    • Buddy Ebsen in Barnaby Jones (1973)
      Barnaby Jones
      7.0
      TV Series
      • written by
      • 1980
    • Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford in The Jeffersons (1975)
      The Jeffersons
      7.5
      TV Series
      • written by
      • teleplay by
      • story by
      • 1976–1978
    • John Amos, Ralph Carter, Ja'net DuBois, Esther Rolle, BernNadette Stanis, and Jimmie 'JJ' Walker in Good Times (1974)
      Good Times
      7.5
      TV Series
      • written by
      • story by
      • 1974–1976
    • The Fosters (1976)
      The Fosters
      7.0
      TV Series
      • original script
      • 1976
    • Flip Wilson... Of Course
      7.0
      TV Special
      • Writer
      • 1974

    Script and Continuity Department



    • Alyssa Milano, Tony Danza, Katherine Helmond, Danny Pintauro, and Judith Light in Who's the Boss? (1984)
      Who's the Boss?
      6.6
      TV Series
      • executive script consultant
      • script consultant
      • 1987–1989

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