Cherry Pick

Marc Cherry is an American television writer and producer, born in Long Beach, California, on March 23, 1962. After graduating with a theater degree from California State University, Fullerton, he pursued a career in writing. His early career included work as a writer-producer for 'The Golden Girls' and co-creating sitcoms like 'The 5 Mrs. Buchanans' and 'The Crew'.

He achieved significant success with the creation of the ABC dramedy 'Desperate Housewives', which premiered in 2004 and became a major hit. The series, inspired by a conversation with his mother, explored the lives of suburban women and generated considerable debate. Cherry later co-created the Lifetime series 'Devious Maids' with Eva Longoria, which premiered in 2013. He also created the CBS All Access series 'Why Women Kill', which debuted in 2019.

Politically, Cherry was described as a "somewhat conservative, gay Republican" in 2007, receiving an award from the Log Cabin Republicans. However, he stated in 2018 that he was no longer a Republican. His mother, Martha Kay Cherry, who inspired characters in 'Desperate Housewives', passed away in 2020. Cherry has also made guest appearances and participated in arts foundations.

Born in Long Beach, California, Marc Cherry spent part of his childhood in Oklahoma before his family returned to California. He attended Troy High School in Fullerton and later graduated from California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in theater in 1985. Initially considering a career as a performer, Cherry's path shifted after winning $15,000 on 'The $100,000 Pyramid' in 1986, which prompted his move to Hollywood to pursue writing. His arrival coincided with the 1988 writers strike. He began his industry career by working as a personal assistant to actress Dixie Carter.

Cherry gained widespread recognition for creating the ABC dramedy 'Desperate Housewives', which debuted in 2004. The concept, inspired by his mother, focused on the complex lives of suburban women. Despite initial rejections from several networks, ABC eventually picked up the series, which became a significant ratings success both nationally and internationally. He later co-created 'Devious Maids' with Eva Longoria, a series that premiered on Lifetime in 2013 and centered on the lives of Latina maids in Beverly Hills. Both shows featured actors with whom Cherry had previously collaborated.

Beyond his most famous creations, Cherry co-created the sitcom 'The 5 Mrs. Buchanans' and 'The Crew' in the mid-1990s. He also created the 2001 sitcom 'Some of My Best Friends'. In 2018, it was announced that CBS All Access ordered his series 'Why Women Kill', which premiered in August 2019. Cherry has also made a cameo appearance on the final episode of 'Desperate Housewives' and appeared as himself on 'Arrested Development'. He has also been involved with arts organizations, serving as a judge and mentor for the Songbook Academy and on the board of The Young Americans.

Marc Cherry was born on March 23, 1962. His mother, Martha Kay Cherry, who was the inspiration for the characters Bree Van de Kamp and Lynette Scavo in 'Desperate Housewives', passed away on September 12, 2020. In 2007, Cherry was described by Newsweek as a "somewhat conservative, gay Republican" and received the American Visibility Award from the Log Cabin Republicans in 2006. However, he stated in 2018 that he had "stopped being a Republican the second [Donald Trump's] foot hit the escalator."