Jeffrey Steven Franklin (born January 21, 1955)[1][2][3] is an American screenwriter, director and producer.[4] He is best known for being the creator of the ABC sitcom Full House and its Netflix sequel Fuller House.[5]
Franklin began his television career as a writer and producer for Laverne & Shirley and Bosom Buddies. Franklin pitched his own show to ABC called "House of Comics" which featured three comics living together.[9] ABC was looking for a family sitcom, so Franklin added children and the idea evolved into the show Full House, which ran on the ABC network from 1987 to 1995.
During Full House, Franklin created Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, starring comedian Mark Curry.[10] Franklin departed for Hanging with Mr. Cooper in September 1992.[10] His other TV credits include both writing and production on shows such as, It's Garry Shandling's Show, and Malcolm & Eddie. He also wrote, produced and directed the first Olsen twins movie, To Grandmother's House We Go. By 1991, Jeff Franklin had received a deal with Lorimar, but the pact was terminated in 1993 so that he could become an independent producer.[11] In 1997, he had signed a deal with Columbia TriStar Television.[12]
On April 20, 2015, Netflix announced the streaming service would pick up thirteen episodes of Fuller House, a sequel to Full House.[13] Netflix also announced Franklin would oversee the production along with Robert L. Boyett and Thomas L. Miller.[13] All 13 episodes of the first season premiered on February 26, 2016.[14][15] The series ended in its fifth season on June 2, 2020, supposedly due to competition and an inability to grow its audience significantly.[16][17]
In February 2018, Franklin was fired from the series Fuller House.[18]
In June 2019, The Hollywood Reporter revealed details of a probe made by Warner Brothers that included interviews with eight Fuller House staffers who commented on Franklin's alleged conduct.[19]
Jeff Franklin sued the showrunner, blaming the co-executive producer Bryan Behar for orchestrating a conspiracy aiming to get him kicked out of the show, to discredit Franklin and replace him. Franklin denied all the allegations of misconduct.[20][21]
In 1994, Franklin bought 10050 Cielo Drive, the site of the Tate murders in 1969. The French country-style home was eventually demolished and replaced by a mansion designed by architect Richard Landry.[22] In 2014, he listed for sale another house designed by Landry in the Hollywood Hills for US$30 million.[23]
