Barry Blaustein, the former Saturday Night Live (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/saturday-night-live/) writer whose decades-long collaboration with Eddie Murphy (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/eddie-murphy/) included Buckwheat, Gumby and Mr. Robinson sketches and the Coming to America and Nutty Professor films, has died at 72. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after battling Parkinson’s, which he faced with resilience as a professor at Chapman University. His work with Murphy, particularly his scripting for Beyond the Mat and The Ringer, brought humor and storytelling to the world. After retiring from SNL, Blaustein taught screenwriting at Chapman, inspiring students to push their creativity. His personal story, including his love for wrestling and the documentary Guys N’ Divas, highlights how passion and perseverance shape legacy. From his early days on Long Island to his later work, Blaustein left behind a legacy that continues to inspire.
