5 Serious Life Lessons I Learned from an Emmy-Winning Comedy Writer

Week after week for seven years, Mary Tyler Moore turned the world on with her smile.  My friend, mentor and unofficial adopted dad, Gene Perret, took the energy of a smile a step further.

Gene spent half a century writing words that enabled famous people to keep the nation laughing.  Mary Tyler Moore wasn’t his client.  But Gene innately knew there is healing power in a punchline.  He proved it time and time again when he accompanied Bob Hope on USO tours. 

Writing jokes to boost the morale of soldiers in war zones was just part of a day’s work for Gene, who served a dozen years as Bob Hope’s head writer.  On U.S. soil, Gene also wrote for people such as Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, Phyllis Diller and Slappy White.

American families depended on Gene to provide wholesome and funny family entertainment.  He worked on television shows that included “The Carol Burnett Show”, “Laugh In” “Mama’s Family”, “The Jim Nabors Show”, “Three’s Company” and “Welcome Back Kotter”.  He went on to win three Emmys, publish more than 40 books and write humor columns and essays.

On November 15, the planet said “Goodbye” to Gene.  His transition still makes me sad, but his legacy makes me glad.  I am extremely grateful for scores of life lessons I learned from this man.  I was blessed and honored to get to call him “Dad”.

I met Gene in Hannibal, MO, in 1995 at the Mark Twain Writers Conference.  Gene was there as a faculty member and to promote his latest book at the time “On the 8th Day God Laughed”.  I was a journalist who dabbled in standup comedy.  I was told Gene was one of the best comedy writing teachers in the business because he practiced what he taught.  The knowledge he shared changed the courses of many lives.  One grew up to be actor, comedian and game show host Drew Carey.

Here are just 5 serious life lessons I learned from one of the funniest and most brilliant men I’ve ever encountered.  My goal is to make the planet a brighter place.  I believe I can succeed because Gene taught me to create laughter for myself and others.

#1 Have Fun or Don’t Do It

I discovered great joy by spending at least five summer vacations attending the annual Round Table Comedy Writers Convention hosted by Gene and two of his daughters.  We wrote, we laughed, we learned, we rewrote, we presented what we wrote, we laughed more, we wrote more and rewrote more.  At the conclusion of my first convention, Gene asked if all my questions got answered.  I asked how I could adopt myself into his fun family.

He said, “Just pick a house and show up on the doorstep. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know the people who live there.”  Since then, I’ve called him “Dad.”

For three decades, he gave me advice that still applies to my life.  Gene advised me to stop doing what I’m doing and choose something else if I’m not having fun.  He said I’ll never have to work a day in my life when my real job is to have fun.

#2  Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

In the late 1990s, I was licensed by the State of Texas to use comedy to teach a state-certified defensive driving course to drivers who got tickets.  Gene’s book, “On the 8th Day God Laughed”, had just been released.  I extended an invitation for him to visit Texas and have a book signing at the driving school.  He showed up saying, “Be careful what you wish for.  You might just get it.”  We sold out of books.

During that time together, Gene shared a story of meeting Phyllis Diller for the first time, although she already padded his pockets by purchasing some of his one-liners. He was living in Pennsylvania working as an engineer for General Electric.  He went to a local theater to catch her show.  When she asked an assistant to fetch Gene and escort him backstage, she was asked for physical details to make Gene easier to recognize. Phyllis Diller’s answer : “Just look for the person who looks least like a comedy writer. That will be him.”

#3  Everyone Is Worthwhile and a Winner in Life

Gene took home Emmy’s in 1974, 1975 and 1978 for Best Comedy Writer.  This writer for “The Carol Burnett Show” had a home within bicycle riding distance of the show venue.  He arrived in a limo, his daughters rode their bikes.  They stayed on the commoners side of the rope where they clapped and cheered when Gene walked by them on the red carpet.

Because his face wasn’t as famous as his work, a bystander hoping to get a glimpse of Hollywood royalty asked the daughters if Gene was someone important.  They responded, “Yes!  He’s our dad!”

As far as they were concerned Gene was a winner with or without an Emmy.  He lived his life that way and taught them to do the same.

# 4 We’re in This World Together

Many of Gene’s stories involved stars who kept shining because of him.  He talked about how some of the biggest names in Hollywood surrendered to the fact we’re in this world together and we need each other.  One of my favorite stories features the Emmy I’m holding in the photo accompanying this post.  It proves stars need good writers, and good writers don’t underestimate the power of a great editor.  The engraver of Gene’s Emmy could have used that editor as “comedy writer” was misspelled on the trophy.

#5 Don’t Worry About Numbers.  Success Will Find You.

Comedy writers and comedians are not always the most patient people in the universe – especially newbies who are driven to please the masses.  Gene reinforced the importance of knowing your audience and giving them what they expect while being true to yourself.  He taught me that timing in life is just as important as onstage comedic timing.  One of his greatest lessons was the reminder to show up, do my best and enjoy the ride.  He said eventually the right people will catch up to my talent.

Without doubt, Gene was one of the most influential people I’ve ever allowed into my life.  He taught me a lot about writing and even more about living.  But this week, there are no words strong enough to honor this man who truly changed my life course.  He did it with his kindness, his love, his generosity, his support, his wisdom, his sense of fun. 

All I can do is steal words from Bob Hope.  “Thanks for the memories,” Dad!

And thanks for the laughter and love.  I know in my heart that the eighth day is every day because you continue to make God laugh.