Jeff Franklin
American screenwriter, director and producer (born 1955)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jeffrey Steven Franklin (born January 21, 1955)[1][2][3] is an American screenwriter, director and producer.[4] He is best known for being the creator of the ABC sitcom Full House and its Netflix sequel Fuller House.[5]
January 21, 1955
Fuller House
Jeff Franklin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jeffrey Steven Franklin January 21, 1955 Inglewood, California, U.S. |
| Occupations | Producer, screenwriter, director |
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Notable work | Full House Fuller House |
Early life and education
Franklin was born in Inglewood, California.[6] In 1976 Franklin graduated from Raymond College at the University of the Pacific.[7] He worked as a substitute teacher in his hometown, before becoming a writer.[6]
Career
Franklin began his television career as a writer and producer for Laverne & Shirley and Bosom Buddies. Franklin created a sitcom[8] called "House of Comics" which featured three comics living together.[9] ABC was looking for a family sitcom, so Franklin added children and the idea evolved into the show Full House, which ran on the ABC network from 1987 to 1995.
During Full House, Franklin created Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, starring comedian Mark Curry.[10] Franklin departed for Hanging with Mr. Cooper in September 1992.[10] His other television credits include writing, directing and executive producing[11] on shows such as, It's Garry Shandling's Show, and Malcolm & Eddie. He also co-wrote, produced and directed the first Olsen twins movie,[12] To Grandmother's House We Go. By 1991, Franklin had received a deal with Lorimar, but the pact was mutually terminated in 1993.[13] In 1997, he had signed a deal with Columbia TriStar Television.[14]
Franklin's most notable film writing credits include the teen comedies Just One of the Guys (1985) and Summer School (1987), starring Mark Harmon.
Fuller House
Serving as a sequel to the 1987–1995 ABC series Full House, Fuller House[15] was developed after years of speculation and fan demand for a revival. Franklin, who created the original series, returned to develop the new show, reuniting much of the original cast while introducing a new generation of characters.[16] Netflix officially ordered the series in 2015, with production beginning later that year.[17] Fuller House premiered all 13 episodes of the first season on February 26, 2016, and ran for five seasons.
Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen revealed she and Butch Walker recreated the Full House theme song,[18] "Everywhere You Look" (originally performed by Jesse Frederick, who co-wrote the song with Bennett Salvay, and Jeff Franklin), for the series as its opening theme which as won 8 BMI Film & TV Awards.[19]
In February 2018, Franklin's deal was not renewed[20] by Warner Bros. Television Studios for the series Fuller House.[21]
In June 2019, The Hollywood Reporter revealed details of a probe made by Warner Bros. that included interviews with eight Fuller House staffers who commented on Franklin's alleged conduct.[22]
Franklin sued the showrunner, blaming the co-executive producer Bryan Behar for orchestrating a conspiracy aiming to get him kicked out of the show, to discredit Franklin and replace him. Franklin denied all the allegations of misconduct.[23][24] The suit was dismissed with prejudice.[25]
Personal life
Franklin built an Andalusian-style mansion[26] in Beverly Hills designed by architect Richard Landry.[27] In 2014, he listed for sale another house designed by Landry in the Hollywood Hills for US$30 million.[28]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Just One of the Guys | No | Yes | Executive |
| 1987 | Summer School | No | Yes | Yes |
| 1999 | Love Stinks | Yes | Yes | Executive |
Television
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Producer | Creator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | The Bad News Bears | No | Yes | No | No |
| 1979–81 | Laverne & Shirley | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| 1982 | Bosom Buddies | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| 1987 | It's Garry Shandling's Show | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| 1987–92 | Full House | Yes | Yes | Executive | Yes |
| 1997 | Head Over Heels | No | Yes | Executive | Yes |
| 1992–97 | Hangin' with Mr. Cooper | No | Yes | Executive | Yes |
| 1996–99 | Malcolm & Eddie | No | Yes | Executive | No |
| 2010 | Love That Girl! | No | No | Executive | No |
| 2016–18 | Fuller House | Yes | Yes | Executive | Yes |
TV movies
| Year | Title | Director | Writer | Executive Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | To Grandmother's House We Go | Yes | Yes | Yes |