Comedy writer Chris Thompson dies at actor Curry's house

Famed television comedy writer Chris Thompson has died at the age of 63, confirmed his ex-wife -- director-producer Lyndall Hobbs.

Hobbs told Variety the Detroit-born Thompson was discovered unconscious by a caregiver at the Toluca Lake home of actor Tim Curry on Friday night. Thompson had been staying with his longtime friend out of financial necessity.

An autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of the hard-partying writer's death, Hobbs said.

Among his sitcom credits are the hits Laverne & Shirley, Bosom Buddies, Action!, The Naked Truth, Ladies Man and The Larry Sanders Show. He also penned the screenplay for the 1986 Whoopi Goldberg vehicle Jumpin' Jack Flash.

His career stalled after he worked on Shake It Up! for Disney five years ago, but he had been in talks to pen a comedy pilot for Amazon, based on the Israeli series Red Band, at the time of his death.

"He had a very tough time," Hobbs said of her former spouse. "He couldn't figure out what to write, and he couldn't get a job."

Things were looking up, however, and Thompson was slated to have a final meeting with Amazon Tuesday, Hobbs said, adding their 28-year-old daughter Lola had last heard from Thompson Thursday about her planned birthday celebration Saturday.

"We are just shocked," Hobbs said of Thompson's death.

"He was excited about his big comeback," she added. "He was telling everyone that the project with Amazon was making him almost relevant again."

Thompson also has another daughter and a son from a subsequent relationship.