Television Veteran Behind ‘Riverdale’ and ‘Empire’ Dies at 56

Yolonda E. Lawrence, a talented television writer and producer known for her work on “Empire” and “Riverdale,” has died unexpectedly at the age of 56 in Los Angeles on Friday. Her family confirmed the news to multiple outlets, including The Hollywood Reporter, but did not release the cause of her death.

A native of Brooklyn, Lawrence discovered her love for television after attending a taping of “The Cosby Show.”

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications in 1991 and immediately moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in TV. Starting as a production assistant and coordinator, she worked her way up to become a staff writer.

Lawrence’s first major writing job came in 2006 on the CBS drama “Shark.” She later wrote for several young adult and fantasy series, including “Lincoln Heights,” “Reaper,” “Star-Crossed,” and “Witches of East End.” She joined the team of “Riverdale” as a writer and supervising producer from 2017 to 2018, and her talent eventually led her to “Empire,” where she served as a writer and executive producer for two seasons. She also contributed to a potential spinoff of the hit show featuring Taraji P. Henson, Danny Strong, and Stacy A. Littlejohn.

In addition to her work on “Empire” and “Riverdale,” Lawrence wrote for other notable shows including “Bel-Air,” “The First Lady,” and “Sistas.” Her career spanned over three decades, earning her recognition for her versatility and dedication to storytelling.

Lawrence is survived by her mother, Barbara Simon, and her siblings, Ayana Simon and Craig Simon. A memorial service is being planned in Los Angeles later this month.

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