Writing

PJ Torokvei

Born 1951-03-19 · Toronto, Ontario, Canada

PJ Torokvei, a Canadian screenwriter, actor, and television producer, was a notable alum of Second City / SCTV, where she collaborated with the talented John Candy. After her time at Second City, she went on to become the producer and head writer of the beloved sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati, which aired from 1979 to 1982. PJ's exceptional work on the show earned her and her colleagues two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series. In addition to her television success, PJ also made significant contributions to the film industry as a co-writer for movies such as Real Genius, Back to School, Hostage for a Day, Caddyshack II, and Guarding Tess. It is worth noting that PJ's professional credits are typically attributed to her deadname, she transitioned from male to female in 2001.Tragically, PJ Torokvei passed away on July 3, 2013, due to complications from liver failure. Her legacy as a talented and influential figure in the entertainment industry will always be remembered.

Acting credits

Behind the camera

Real Genius poster
6.7

When teenage geniuses Mitch Taylor and Chris Knight, working on an advanced laser project, learn that the military wants to use it as a weapon, they decide to thwart the plan.

Real Genius

1985

Back to School poster
6.3

Self-made millionaire Thornton Melon decides to get a better education and enrolls at his son Jason's college. While Jason tries to fit in with his fellow students, Thornton struggles to gain his son's respect, giving way to hilarious antics.

Back to School

1986

Guarding Tess poster
6.0

Doug is a Secret Service Agent who has just completed his stint in charge protecting Tess Carlisle—the widow of a former U.S. President, and a close personal friend of the current President. He finds that she has requested that he not be rotated but instead return to be her permanent detail. Doug is crushed, and—after returning—wants off her detail as she is very difficult to guard and makes her detail crazy with her whims and demands.

Guarding Tess

1994

Armed and Dangerous poster
5.7

After policeman Frank Dooley is framed for theft and loses his job on the force, he joins a security guard agency and teams up with inept former defense lawyer Norman Kane. When the two botch a job guarding a local warehouse, they begin to uncover corruption within the company and their union.

Armed and Dangerous

1986

The Earth Day Special poster
6.1

The Earth Day Special is a television special revolving around Earth Day that aired on ABC on April 22, 1990. Sponsored by Time Warner, the special featured an all-star cast addressing concerns about global warming, deforestation, and other environmental ills.

The Earth Day Special

1990

Caddyshack II poster
4.2

When a crass new-money tycoon's membership application is turned down at a snooty country club, he retaliates by buying the club and turning it into a tacky amusement park.

Caddyshack II

1988

Hostage for a Day poster
5.2

Harried suburban man Warren Kooey fakes a hostage situation in order to get the money he needs to escape his humdrum life.

Hostage for a Day

1994