Aaron Spelling, entertainment icon and one of the main driving forces behind episodic television has died. He was 83.
A born cowboy, Spelling, was reared in Dallas and served in the US Armed Forces during World War II. After the war he came to Hollywood hoping to make it as an actor but found his real talent behind the camera as a writer and producer. Spelling became a pioneer of early television writing for such early hit shows as The Fireside Theater and Playhouse 90.
Some of Spelling’s other landmark shows were Zane Grey Theater, Daniel Boone and The Mod Squad. During the 1960’s, if it was on television you can bet that Spelling produced or created it.
Considered one of the most influential men in America, Spelling was responsible for such iconic shows as Starsky and Hutch, T.J. Hooker, Hart to Hart and, he virtually handcrafted the night-time soaps with Hotel and later soapy hits Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place and 7th Heaven. He was also the mastermind behind Charlie’s Angels.
Not adverse to fantasy or the occult Spelling produced Fantasy Island, was behind the very popular Charmed series. Spelling was crowned the king of made-for-TV movies that started the trend. One of his most notable was the Travolta vehicle The Boy in the Plastic Bubble. He received several Emmy’s over the years including one for Day One and The Band Played On.
The consummate professional, Spelling remained busy right to the end in preproduction for another television movie called Split Decision. Spelling suffered from a stroke which ultimately caused his death.
Aaron Spelling is survived by his wife and two children Randy and Tori.
That guy had alot of hit shows, WOW!!… I prolly only watched a couple of them but what a career he had…
RIP Aaron…
You forgot that he also Produced Kindred: The Embraced, the only TV adaptation of White Wolf Books’ Vampire Roleplaying Game.
Not to mention S.W.A.T., Vega$, and one of the best titles ever for a movie of the week, “Satan’s School for Girls”