Marc Cherry

Marc Cherry
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Name	Marc Cherry
Birth date	23 March 1962
Birth place	Long Beach, California, U.S.
Alma mater	California State University, Fullerton
Occupation	Television producer, screenwriter, playwright
Known for	Desperate Housewives

Marc Cherry is an American television producer, screenwriter, and playwright best known as the creator and showrunner of the internationally successful satirical drama series Desperate Housewives. His work, which often blends dark comedy with soap opera conventions and suburban critique, has earned him multiple industry accolades including the Primetime Emmy Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Cherry's career, which began in sitcom writing, represents a significant chapter in early 21st-century network television.

Early life and education

Born in Long Beach, California, he was raised in a Methodist household in the Orange County community of Fountain Valley. His mother, a homemaker, and his father, an aerospace engineer, provided a backdrop of suburban life that would later deeply influence his creative work. He developed an early interest in performance and writing, participating in theater during his time at Fountain Valley High School. Cherry subsequently attended California State University, Fullerton, where he studied English literature and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. During his college years, he was actively involved with the campus improvisational theatre group, honing his skills in character and comedic timing.

Career

His professional break came when he was hired as a writer for the final season of the classic sitcom The Golden Girls, working alongside producers like Paul Junger Witt and Tony Thomas. This led to staff positions on other series including The Five Mrs. Buchanans and The Crew. After several years developing pilots that were not produced, he conceived the idea for Desperate Housewives. The series, a critical and ratings hit for ABC, premiered in 2004 and ran for eight seasons, making stars of Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, and Eva Longoria. Following its success, he created and executive produced the ABC Studios drama Devious Maids, which aired on Lifetime for four seasons. He later developed the Netflix political drama Why Women Kill, which premiered in 2019.

Personal life

He has been open about his identity as a gay man and the influence of his Christian faith on his life and writing. A longtime resident of Los Angeles, he is known for his philanthropic support of HIV/AIDS charities and organizations promoting LGBT rights. His political views have been described as moderate, and he has cited his mother's experiences and his own observations of suburban dynamics as central inspirations for his most famous work. He maintains a relatively private life outside of his professional endeavors.

Filmography

His major television credits as creator and executive producer include Desperate Housewives (2004–2012), Devious Maids (2013–2016), and Why Women Kill (2019–2021). Earlier in his career, he served as a writer and producer on series such as The Golden Girls (1991–1992), The Five Mrs. Buchanans (1994–1995), and The Crew (1995–1996). He also wrote for the animated series The Simpsons and co-wrote the television film The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (1999).

Awards and nominations

His work on Desperate Housewives earned the series the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 2005. He personally received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2005 as an executive producer. Additional nominations include multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations for writing, Writers Guild of America Award nominations, and Producers Guild of America Award nominations. He was also honored with the Family Television Award and the GLAAD Media Award for his contributions to television.

Legacy and impact

Desperate Housewives is widely credited with revitalizing the prime time soap opera format for a new generation and demonstrated the substantial commercial power of a female-centric ensemble cast on network television. The show's international success, airing in over 200 territories, solidified his reputation as a master of serialized storytelling with a sharp comedic edge. His career trajectory, from sitcom staff writer to auteur showrunner, exemplifies a pathway in the modern Hollywood television industry. His influence can be seen in subsequent series that blend mystery, domestic satire, and female friendship, such as Pretty Little Liars, Big Little Lies, and Dead to Me.

Category:American television producers Category:American screenwriters Category:American playwrights