Jim Geoghan, best known as the co-creator of Disney hit The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, has died aged 79.
His daughter Genevieve Geoghan confirmed the sad news, but no cause of death has been given.
Starting out his career in stand-up comedy, Geoghan went on to write for and produce American series like Three’s Company, The Van Dyke Show and Family Matters.
After almost 30 years in the business, he co-created and co-executive produced a show for Disney Channel about twins living in a hotel.
The Suite Life earned two Emmy nominations during its 87-episode run from 2005 to 2008, and spawned sequel series Suite Life on Deck, which ran until 2011.
Geoghan also wrote the feature film The Suite Life Movie in 2011 before serving as executive producer on the Indian adaptation, The Suite Life of Karan & Kabir.
The show launched Dylan and Cole Sprouse, Ashley Tisdale, Brenda Song and others into the spotlight and became one of the channel’s most popular franchises.
During its over five-year run, the franchise featured crossover episodes with Hannah Montana and That’s So Raven, as well as cameos from stars like Zac Efron.
In the most bizarre cameo, Oscar winner Emma Stone reportedly voiced main character London Tipton’s dog in one episode.
Fans of the show have shared tributes to Geoghan on X, thanking him for ‘contributing to their childhood’.
‘Oh God, a piece of my childhood flies away with him 💔💔💔,’ wrote Chiara as Giovanny added: ‘RIP to this legend’.
‘HE WAS THE 🐐 thank you for giving me one of the best shows of my childhood rip 🥹🤍,’ said Dani.
CJ said: ‘Salute to a legend that shaped our childhood 💔🕊️.’
Kim Rhodes, who appeared as the twins’ mum Carey on the Suite Life, paid tribute to Geoghan on Instagram saying ‘we lost a good one’.
She wrote: ‘This is Jim Geoghan, one of the most incredible humans this world has ever seen and he is no longer among us. He was one of the creators of, “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody”, if you’ve ever heard me talk about my favorite episode, you’ve heard me talk about him.
‘The one about motherhood when Cody learns to let a bird fly free was written by Jim. He was a big man with a loud laugh and a jolly manner, not given to moments of obviously vulnerable connection at work.
‘But he wrote that for me after my mother died, as a gift. Possibly the greatest kindness anyone has ever done me.’
Along with his work in TV, Geoghan wrote a stand-up comedy play for Off-Broadway called Only Kidding, which was nominated for two Drama Desk Awards and toured the US.