Abraham Higginbotham is the latest in 20th Century Fox Television’s stable of writer-producers to re-up his overall deal with the studio in the wake of its move into the Walt Disney Company.
Higginbotham, a winner of the Humanitas Prize, has been with Modern Family since 2010, penning more than 20 episodes and serving as executive producer since 2012.
“Abraham is one of our heavyweights on Modern Family who has been and continues to be a spectacular asset to that show,” said 20th TV creative affairs president Jonnie Davis. “But our relationship with him goes back over 15 years, and this deal is about keeping him here for many more. What other comedy writer can you name who has worked on four classics — Modern Family, Will & Grace, Ugly Betty and Arrested Development? It speaks to his range and enormous talent, and we can’t wait to add a classic show of his own creation to the list.”
The months since news came of 20th TV’s not-yet-finalized sale to Disney have seen multiple executive producers re-up — Tim Minear, Sanaa Hamri, Kurt Sutter and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel among the latest. (There are others, most notably Ryan Murphy, who are opting to leave.)
For his part, Higginbotham has one more season of Modern Family to go. The ABC series is renewed through the 2018-19 season, at which point it is expected to end its run with 10 seasons.
“I am genuinely grateful for the opportunities Dana, Gary and the entire team at 20th have given me,” said Higginbotham. “I’ve spent most of my career working for them because they make me feel valued, respected and — from time to time — loved. Or I have Stockholm syndrome.”
He is repped by UTA and Hansen Jacobson.
