Barry Fanaro

Barry Fanaro is an American screenwriter, television producer, and film director best known for his prolific work in network sitcoms and major Hollywood films. He rose to prominence as a writer and producer on the iconic NBC series The Golden Girls, earning multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Fanaro later co-wrote the blockbuster science fiction film Men in Black and served as an executive producer on the long-running CBS sitcom King of Queens.

Early life and education

Barry Fanaro was born on December 22, 1959, in New York City. He grew up in a family with connections to the entertainment industry, as his father, Ralph Fanaro, was a film editor who worked on projects like the CBS series Hawaii Five-O. Fanaro attended the University of Maryland, College Park, where he graduated with a degree in journalism. His early career aspirations were influenced by the comedic writing he admired on shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Bob Newhart Show, which shaped his approach to character-driven humor.

Career

Fanaro began his professional writing career in the mid-1980s, landing a staff position on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. His big break came when he joined the writing staff of the hit NBC series The Golden Girls during its third season, quickly becoming a key contributor and producer. Following the success of that show, he worked on several other television projects, including the short-lived ABC series The Boys. Fanaro made a significant transition to feature films by co-writing the screenplay for the 1997 Columbia Pictures blockbuster Men in Black, starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. He returned to television as an executive producer and writer for the successful CBS sitcom King of Queens, starring Kevin James and Leah Remini, for which he also directed several episodes. His later work includes writing for the NBC series Samantha Who? and co-creating the TV Land original series The Exes.

Writing credits

Fanaro's extensive writing credits span acclaimed television series and major motion pictures. On television, his notable work includes multiple episodes of The Golden Girls, for which he often collaborated with fellow writer Mort Nathan. He wrote for the CBS sitcom The Crew and contributed to the Fox series Living Single. His filmography is highlighted by Men in Black, which he co-wrote with Ed Solomon, and the 2005 romantic comedy The Honeymooners, a film adaptation of the classic CBS series starring Cedric the Entertainer. He also co-wrote the screenplay for the 2000 comedy film The Ladies Man, based on the Saturday Night Live character created by Tim Meadows.

Awards and nominations

Throughout his career, Barry Fanaro has received recognition from major industry awards, primarily for his work on television. He earned three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series as a producer on The Golden Girls, sharing nominations with creators Susan Harris and Paul Junger Witt. The show itself won the Emmy in that category twice during his tenure. His writing on the series also contributed to its recognition by the Viewers for Quality Television awards. While Men in Black was nominated for Academy Awards in technical categories, Fanaro's screenplay, while not individually nominated, was central to the film's success and its win for Best Makeup at the 69th Academy Awards.

Personal life

Barry Fanaro maintains a relatively private personal life. He is married and has children, residing primarily in Los Angeles, California. He has occasionally participated in industry panels and retrospectives, such as those for The Golden Girls, sharing insights into the show's writing process alongside former colleagues like Kathy Speer and Terry Grossman. In interviews, he has cited writers like James L. Brooks and the ensemble chemistry of shows like Cheers as enduring influences on his comedic style and narrative approach.

Category:American screenwriters Category:American television producers Category:University of Maryland, College Park alumni Category:1959 births Category:Living people