Phil Leslie

Who was Phil Leslie?

Phil L. Leslie was an American comedy writer. His first career, since he was good at math, was keeping books for a local bank in St. Louis, but he began pursuing a career in writing.

In 1938, he and his wife, Helen, took their four children, by train, to Hollywood, California in the hopes of making it big. His comedy writing skills were soon recognized and he began writing with Don Quinn on the Fibber McGee and Molly radio program as co-writer. After Don left the show to pursue other interests, Leslie became the main writer. He graduated from radio to television and wrote episodes of The Addams Family, I Love Lucy, Dennis the Menace, Dobie Gillis, Mr. Ed, and many others.