---
name: "John Markus"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-markus"
roles: ["Writer"]
reviewed_on_fi1m: 1
updated: "2026-09-16T21:24:45.418112+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# John Markus

Writer. Born in central Ohio.

## Details

- **Work:** Writer
- **Active:** 1978–1992
- **Also known as:** John Marcus
- **Works often with:** Howard Gewirtz

## Biography

John Markus is a television writer and producer. After graduating from Stanford University he began his career writing for Paramount’s apprentice programme and series including *Working Stiffs* before writing an episode of *Taxi* in its final season.

He joined the original writing staff of *The Cosby Show* in 1984, rising to supervising producer and then co-executive producer and show runner. He wrote or co-wrote 67 episodes and remained with the series until 1991. He co-created the spin-off *A Different World* and later co-created *Lateline* with Al Franken. Markus served as consulting producer on *The Larry Sanders Show* and co-wrote two episodes, including the Emmy-nominated “Ellen: Is She Or Isn’t She?”.

His later work includes creating and executive producing the reality series *BBQ Pitmasters* and writing plays such as *The Fabulous Lipitones*, co-authored with Mark St. Germain.

*Sources: john-markus.com, imdb.com, stanfordmag.org.*

## On Fi1m (1)

- *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), Fi1m 91, Writer — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md)

## Also credited on (not yet reviewed)

- *Taxi* (1978), Writer

## Also known for

- *The Cosby Show* (1984), Writer

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/john-markus