Jeff Franklin

Jeff Franklin is best regarded for creating the long-running family-centered sitcom "Full House," but the heralded television producer began his career as a teacher. Franklin loved working with children--a trait that shows in his work--but ultimately he left education to pursue his passion for television production.

His big break came in 1979, when he was hired to pen and produce episodes of the "Happy Days" spin-off, "Laverne & Shirley," which focused on a pair of wisecracking blue-collar woman. After a couple of years on the show, he moved on to another buddy sitcom, the cross-dressing "Bosom Buddies," which starred a young Tom Hanks.

Franklin was building steam when he co-wrote and produced his first film, the role-reversal cult comedy "Just One of the Guys," in which a high school girl swaps schools and genders in an attempt to reveal sexism at her school's paper. Franklin has gone on to produce a handful of other films, including his directorial debut, "Love Stinks," a comedy that centered on a sitcom writer/producer's ill-fated search for love.

Yet Franklin is best known for "Full House," the moralistic sitcom that was fronted by stand-up comedian Bob Saget. The show was wildly popular and launched the careers of the Olsen twins (Mary-Kate and Ashley). During the series' fifth season, Franklin premiered a new blended-family sitcom starring a stand-up, Mark Curry's "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper."

This era proved to be Franklin's heyday, though he continues to serve as producer on comedian-fronted sitcoms.