Ernest Chambers Dead: Prolific Writer and Producer Was 97

Ernest Chambers, the writer and producer known for variety TV shows like “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” and “Click,” died on May 28 at home in Los Angeles following a brief illness. He was 97. 

Chambers produced, wrote and executive produced over 1,000 hours of TV over the course of his 50-year career, earning 11 Emmy and 4 Writers Guild Award nominations. He got his start writing on TV hits of the 1960s including “The Bob Newhart Show,” “The Danny Kaye Show,” “My Three Sons” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show.” 

Chambers served as the original showrunner of “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” which he teamed up with writer-producer Saul Ilson on. The show ran for three seasons from 1967 to 1968. In the 1970s and 80s, Chambers continued to produce, creating TV specials and series for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Donna Summer, Carol Channing, Tony Orlando & Dawn, Sid Caesar, Tony Randall, Bobby Darin, Merv Griffin and Barry Manilow. He also produced “Dance Fever,” which ran from 1978 to 1987. 

He executive produced “Click,” the 2 season 1997 game show. The series was one of Ryan Seacrest’s first hosting jobs. 

Chambers also wrote for musicals, including the stage production of “Dennis the Menace”; he went on to executive produce the 1993 movie adaptation before stepping in as the VP of Television & Film at Merv Griffin Entertainment. He also wrote for the Carol Channing revue “Show Girl,” which ran on Broadway in 1961. 

Chambers was born on December 28, 1928 in Philadelphia. After serving in the army,  Chambers attended Columbia University. There, he served as The Jester’s, the university’s humor magazine, Editor-in-Chief. Post graduation and before he headed to Los Angeles, he balanced working in advertising as a copywriter while writing comedy sketches and songs for the 1950s New York City cabaret scene. 

Chambers is survived by his wife of 55 years, Veronica, his daughters Alison and Kathryn, son Christopher and five grandchildren. He is predeceased by his son, editor and television executive Brian Chambers.

A memorial will be held in Beverly Hills in the coming weeks. For details, email ECMemorial2026@gmail.com.