Blye passed away on Friday morning at his residence in Palm Desert, California, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. The exact cause of death has not been disclosed.
He was born on July 19, 1937, in Winnipeg, Canada. Blye transitioned from being a young soloist in his synagogue's choir to a prominent singer on various radio variety shows across Canada. In his early twenties, he attracted the attention of Fred Rogers and went on to create the character of Captain Blye on Mister Rogers from 1961 to 1965.
In 1968, Tom and Dick Smothers persuaded Blye to relocate to Los Angeles to write and produce their new show, CBS' "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour." During this time, he collaborated with emerging comedians like Steve Martin, Bob Einstein, Rob Reiner, and Carl Gottlieb. Blye played a crucial role in the show winning an Emmy for best writing in a variety comedy television series in 1969.
Blye proceeded to work on various other shows, including for example "The Ray Stevens Show," "The Andy Williams Show" and "Super Dave." Additionally, he co-authored several TV specials, such as Elvis Presley's 1968 "Comeback Special."
Teaming up with producing partner Einstein, Blye clinched his second Emmy for best writing in a variety comedy television series in 1973 for "The Van Dyke and Company Show."