Jed and Joss Whedon Mourn Loss of Their TV Giant Father

Tom Whedon, father of famed writer/director Joss Whedon, died Thursday at the age of 83.

The announcement came from Joss' brother and current Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. executive producer Jed Whedon via Instagram, who explained the death to be of natural causes.

Tom Whedon was an accomplished TV writer, having served on series such as The Golden Girls, Captain Kangaroo, Benson and The Electric Company (for which he won a Primetime Emmy in 1973).

The son of screenwriter John Whedon (The Donna Reed Show, The DickVan Dyke Show), Tom is survived by his sons Joss and Jed as well as Zack Whedon (a screenwriter on Halt and Catch Fire), Samuel and Matthew.