Al Jean (“Simpsons” EP)
Following his work on “It’s Garry Shandling‘s Show” on Showtime, Al Jean joined the writing staff of Fox’s “The Simpsons.” He later took over as co-showrunner beginning in Season 3. He departed the series at the end of Season 4 to create “The Critic” before returning in Season 10.
Judd Apatow
One of the most successful “Larry Sanders Show” graduates, Apatow created not only cult hit “Freaks and Geeks,” but a plethora of blockbuster comedy films as well, including “Knocked Up” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.”
Peter Tolan (“Rescue Me”)
Following an Emmy-winning stint as writer and co-producer on “Murphy Brown,” Tolan wrote 24 episodes of “The Larry Sandler Show,” winning a writing Emmy for the series finale he co-wrote with Shandling. He’s since gone on to create several of his own series, including “The Job,” “Rescue Me” and “Rake.”
Steven Levitan (“Modern Family” creator)
“Modern Family” creator Steven Levitan followed up his run on “The Larry Sanders Show” with an Emmy-winning turn as executive producer on “Frasier.” He has also produced series including “Just Shoot Me!” “Stacked” and “Back to You.”
Carol Leifer
Best known for her work on “Seinfeld,” stand-up comedian Carol Leifer contributed one episode to “The Larry Sanders Show” in 1997. She later went on to create the series “The Ellen Show” and “Alright Already,” as well as serve as writer on several Academy Awards ceremonies.
Larry David
After working as writer on “Fridays” and “Saturday Night Live,” Larry David wrote one episode of “It’s Garry Shandling‘s Show” before moving on to co-create “Seinfeld” and create and star in HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
Merrill Markoe
“Laugh-In” alum Merrill Markoe followed up her long-running stint as writer of “Late Night With David Letterman” with “It’s Garry Shandling‘s Show.” She later went on to write for series including “Newhart,” “Sex and the City,” and “Moonlighting.”
Sam Simon (“The Simpsons” Co-Creator)
Following his work on “It’s Garry Shandling‘s Show” on Showtime, Sam Simon went on to help create one of the enduring sitcoms of the modern era. Simon died in 2015, but “The Simpsons,” in its 27th season, is still going strong.
Joe Toplyn
After a brief stopover on “The Larry Sanders Show” in 1992, Toplyn went on to become the head writer of both “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” and “The Late Show With David Letterman.”
Jeff Franklin (“Full House” Creator)
Jeff Franklin began his career writing for shows like “Laverne & Shirley,” “Bosom Buddies” and “It’s Garry Shandling‘s Show.” He then created the long-running sitcom “Full House” for ABC, which was revived as “Fuller House” at Netflix over 20 years later.
