Rich Eustis, an Emmy-winning screenwriter, has died at the age of 86 in Thousand Oaks. His family confirmed this. The cause of his death was not given.
Eustis was half the writing team Eustis/Elias that created the hit show. Head of the Class This series aired for five seasons on ABC and premiered in 1986.
Eustis was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. Before moving to Los Angeles, he was a journalist as well as a football star. His TV career began on variety shows. He wrote for John Denver and Dean Martin before he teamed up with Michael Elias, his writing partner of 20 years.
He received a Primetime Emmy Award as Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Special. John Denver’s EveningIn 1975.
Tiana Eustis, his sons John & Ronald, daughter Madeleine, Marcel Samek, son in-law and grandson Julian Eustis Samek are all left behind. Also, granddaughters Colette Eustis Samek & Linh Eustis are still with him. Oanh Ly, his daughter-in-law is also a TV journalist.
Sandy Eustis, his oldest daughter, was his first and last survivor. She was a script supervisor.