Phil Leslie
Encyclopedia
Phil L. Leslie was an American
comedy writer. His first career, since he was good at math, was keeping books for a local bank in St. Louis, but he began pursuing a career in writing.
In 1938, he and his wife, Helen, took their four children (Anne, Jane, Sue and Phil Jr.), by train, to Hollywood, California in the hopes of making it big. His comedy writing skills were soon recognized and he began writing with Don Quinn on the Fibber McGee and Molly
radio program as co-writer. After Don left the show to pursue other interests, Leslie became the main writer. He graduated from radio to television and wrote episodes of The Addams Family
, I Love Lucy
, Dennis the Menace, Dobie Gillis, Mr. Ed, and many others.
. Leslie, Sr. died on September 23, 1988, aged 79, one day after his son lost control of the company he built to a venture capitalist group.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comedy writer. His first career, since he was good at math, was keeping books for a local bank in St. Louis, but he began pursuing a career in writing.
In 1938, he and his wife, Helen, took their four children (Anne, Jane, Sue and Phil Jr.), by train, to Hollywood, California in the hopes of making it big. His comedy writing skills were soon recognized and he began writing with Don Quinn on the Fibber McGee and Molly
Fibber McGee and Molly
Fibber McGee and Molly was an American radio comedy series which maintained its popularity over decades. It premiered on NBC in 1935 and continued until its demise in 1959, long after radio had ceased to be the dominant form of entertainment in American popular culture.-Husband and wife in real...
radio program as co-writer. After Don left the show to pursue other interests, Leslie became the main writer. He graduated from radio to television and wrote episodes of The Addams Family
The Addams Family (TV series)
The Addams Family is an American television series based on the characters in Charles Addams' New Yorker cartoons. The 30-minute series was shot in black-and-white and aired for two seasons in 64 installments on ABC from September 18, 1964, to April 8, 1966...
, I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy
I Love Lucy is an American television sitcom starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley. The black-and-white series originally ran from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, on the Columbia Broadcasting System...
, Dennis the Menace, Dobie Gillis, Mr. Ed, and many others.
Other
Phil, Jr. would follow his father's passion for business and start what would become the largest retail pool supply company in the world, Leslie's PoolmartLeslie's Poolmart
Leslie's Poolmart, operating as Leslie's Swimming Pool Supplies, is the largest retailer of swimming pool supplies and related products globally. Leslie’s sells the full range of supplies for pool maintenance including chemicals, cleaning devices, equipment and parts as well as recreational and...
. Leslie, Sr. died on September 23, 1988, aged 79, one day after his son lost control of the company he built to a venture capitalist group.