Aaron Spelling, one of the most successful and diverse producers in television history, died on Friday (June 23). He was 83.
Spelling suffered a stroke on Sunday (June 18). Although his publicist issued statements mid-week suggesting the producer’s condition was improving, Spelling died at his Los Angeles home.
Born in Dallas on April 22, 1923, Spelling served in the Army Air Corps in World War II and eventually came to Hollywood as an actor, with fleeting appearances in movies like "Three Young Texans," "Wyoming Renegades" and "Black Widow." He soon segued over to writing, getting gigs on early television anthology programs like "Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre" and "Playhouse 90."
Spelling was first credited as a producer on TV’s "Zane Grey Theater" and it was in that milieu that he truly made his mark. From "Daniel Boone" to "Honey West" to "The Mod Squad," Spelling began a run as executive producer on some of television’s most popular shows of the 1960s.
For better or for worse (you could start a heck of an argument on that one), Spelling’s shows were among the most influential in the medium’s history. He worked on "Burke’s Law," "Family," "Starsky and Hutch," "T.J. Hooker," "Matt Houston," "Hart to Hart" and "Hotel." He helped mastermind "Charlie’s Angels," "Fantasy Island," "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Melrose Place" and "7th Heaven."
He also produced more than 100 made-for-TV movies. Sure, some of them — like 1973’s immortal "Satan’s School for Girls" were schlocky — but others were more impressive, like 1976’s "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble" and 1981’s "The Best Little Girl in the World.". He won Emmys for his work on "Day One" and "And the Band Played On."
Spelling is survived by Candy, his wife since 1968, his children Randy and Tori, and his brother Randy.
