Groundbreaking comic Garry Shandling, best known for pioneering the faux docudrama and the shows It’s Garry Shandling’s Show and The Larry Sanders Show, has died at 66.

• Shandling’s art-imitates-life creation, The Larry Sanders Show, inspired artists such as Ricky Gervais, who co-created The Office with fellow British comedian Stephen Merchant.
• Shandling was born in Chicago and grew up in Tucson, Arizona. He moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, beginning as an advertising copywriter before getting a job writing for the sitcom Sanford and Son.
• He performed standup comedy and became a regular guest host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
• It’s Garry Shandling’s Show first graced American TV sets in 1986, with the eponymous protagonist portraying a high-strung comedian whose love life was on the rocks.
• The Larry Sanders Show debuted in 1992, earning the comedian cult status and numerous awards.