Jeffrey Lewis, known as Jeff Lewis, (b.1944,) is an American novelist and screenwriter. He has published eight novels, most notably the four novels of The Meritocracy Quartet. [1] In television, as a writer-producer of Hill Street Blues, he earned 12 Emmy Award nominations, 8 for writing and 4 as a producer, winning Emmys twice. Additionally, he received 8 Writers Guild of America Award nominations and the Award in 1984.[2] He was a showrunner of Hill Street Blues during its sixth season and co-showrunner with his Yale University roommate David Milch, whom he recruited to join Hill Street during its seventh season.[3][4]
He has published eight novels:[5]
In addition, the first four novels, being interlinked, have been published in an omnibus edition, The Meritocracy Quartet (Haus, 2011).
His ninth novel will appear in 2024.
During the 1970s in New York City, Lewis took part in the collaborative staff that produced The Real World magazine. From 1974 to 1977, he was an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan, an experience which informed his contributions to Hill Street Blues.[1]
Jeffrey Lewis was born in New York City to Richard Lewis and Alice Lewis née Lisson. He has two sisters, Kathryn Lewis and Constance Dévanthery-Lewis, and a brother, Kip Lewis. He is married to Gayle Lewis and has a daughter Sarah Lewis.
He received a B.A. from Yale University (1966) and a law degree from Harvard University (1970). [1]
The following is an award summary for Lewis.[2] Primetime Emmy Award (All for Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series)
| Year | Show | Episode | Writer(s) | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Hill Street Blues | "Freedom's Last Stand" | Steven Bochco, Michael Kozoll, Jeff Lewis, Michael I. Wagner, Anthony Yerkovich | NBC |
| Hill Street Blues | "Personal Foul" | Steven Bochco, Jeff Lewis, Michael I. Wagner, Anthony Yerkovich | NBC | |
| 1983 | Hill Street Blues | "Eugene's Comedy Empire Strikes Back" | Steven Bochco, Karen Hall, Jeff Lewis, David Milch, Anthony Yerkovich | NBC |
| "A Hair of the Dog" | Steven Bochco, Jeff Lewis, Anthony Yerkovich | |||
| "No Body's Perfect" | Steven Bochco, Jeff Lewis, David Milch, Michael I. Wagner, Anthony Yerkovich | |||
| 1984 | Hill Street Blues | "Doris in Wonderland" | Steven Bochco, Jeff Lewis, David Milch, Peter Silverman | NBC |
| "Grace Under Pressure" | Steven Bochco, Mark Frost, Karen Hall, Jeff Lewis, David Milch, Michael I. Wagner | |||
| 1987 | Hill Street Blues | "It Ain't Over Till It's Over" | Jeff Lewis, David Milch, John Romano | NBC |
Also credited for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series nominations in 1984, 1985, 1986, with 1984 being a win.
Humanitas Prize for 60 Minute Network or Syndicated Television
1985 Ceremony (11th annual): Hill Street Blues - Teleplay by David Milch & Roger Director Story by Steven Bochco, Jeffrey Lewis, David Milch for "Watt a Way to Go" - Nominee
Writers Guild of America Award (all Best Screenplay – Episodic Drama)
1982: Hill Street Blues - Jeffrey Lewis for "Fruits of the Poisonous Tree" - Nominee
1983: Hill Street Blues - Teleplay by Anthony Yerkovich, David Milch, Karen Hall Story by Steven Bochco, Anthony Yerkovich, Jeffrey Lewis for "Eugene's Comedy Empire Strikes Back" - Nominee
1983: Hill Street Blues - David Milch, Jeffrey Lewis, Michael Wagner for "Gung Ho!" - Nominee
1984: Hill Street Blues - Teleplay by Jeffrey Lewis, Michael Wagner, Karen Hall, Mark Frost Story by Steven Bochco, Jeffrey Lewis, David Milch for "Grace Under Pressure"
1984: Hill Street Blues - Teleplay by Jeffrey Lewis, Michael Wagner, David Milch, Mark Frost Story by Steven Bochco, Jeffrey Lewis, David Milch for "Parting Is Such Sweep Sorrow" - Nominee
1985: Hill Street Blues - Teleplay by David Milch & Roger Director Story by Steven Bochco, Jeffrey Lewis, David Milch for "Watt a Way to Go" - Nominee
1986: Hill Street Blues - Teleplay by Walon Green Story by Jeffrey Lewis, David Milch, Walon Green for "Remembrance of Hits Past" - Nominee
1987: Hill Street Blues - Teleplay by Jeffrey Lewis Story by Jeffrey Lewis & Jerry Patrick Brown for "Fathers and Guns" - Nominee