Joyce Burditt

Joyce Burditt (September 12, 1938 – June 2, 2022), also known as Joyce Rebeta-Burditt, was an American writer and network executive. She was known for creating the TV series Diagnosis: Murder. She was also a longtime writer and producer on such TV series as Perry Mason, Matlock, and the Father Dowling Mysteries. She wrote a best selling novel, The Cracker Factory, in 1977, about an alcoholic housewife, partly drawn from her own experiences.

Early life and education Joyce Ellen Rebeta was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of Paul John Rebeta and Coletta Ellen Rebeta (later Supp). Both of her parents were also born in Cleveland. After moving to Southern California in 1969, she took classes at Los Angeles Valley Junior College.

Career Burditt was known for creating the TV series Diagnosis: Murder, This was followed by the sequel, The Cracker Factory 2: Welcome to Women's Group, in 2010. She wrote the humorous novel Triplets, in 1981, and the mystery novel Buck Naked, about a Los Angeles detective heroine, in 1996.

Publications

The Cracker Factory (1977) Triplets (1981) Buck Naked (1996) The Cracker Factory 2: Welcome to the Women's Group (2010)

Personal life Rebeta married the writer George Burditt in 1957 and had three children. They later divorced. Her son Jack Burditt became a screenwriter. On June 2, 2022, she died in Los Angeles. Her grave is in the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills.