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Aaron Spelling
American film and television producer

Aaron Spelling

The basics

Quick Facts

Intro
American film and television producer
Gender
Male
Place of birth
Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, USA
Place of death
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Age
83 years
Education
Southern Methodist University
James Madison High School
Awards
star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
 
The details (from wikipedia)

Biography

Aaron Spelling (April 22, 1923 – June 23, 2006) was an American film and television producer and occasional actor. His productions included the TV series Family (1976-1980), Charlie's Angels (1976–1981), The Love Boat (1977–1986), Hart to Hart (1979–1984), Dynasty (1981–1989), Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000), Melrose Place (1992-1999), 7th Heaven (1996–2007), and Charmed (1998–2006). He also served as producer of Mod Squad (1968–1973), The Rookies (1972–1976), and Sunset Beach (1997–1999).

Through his eponymous production company Spelling Television, Spelling holds the record as the most prolific television producer in US television history, with 218 producer and executive producer credits. Forbes ranked him the 11th top-earning deceased celebrity in 2009.

Personal life

Spelling was born in Dallas, Texas. He was the son of Pearl (née Wald) and David Spelling, Russian Jewish immigrants. His father worked as a tailor and changed his surname from Spurling to Spelling after emigrating to the United States. Spelling had three brothers: Sam, Max, and Daniel, and a sister, Becky.

At the age of eight, Spelling psychosomatically lost the use of his legs due to trauma caused by constant anti-semitic bullying from his schoolmates, and was confined to bed for a year. He made a full recovery.

After attending Forest Avenue High School in Dallas, he served in the United States Army Air Corps as a pilot during World War II.

Spelling later graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1949, where he was a cheerleader.

He married actress Carolyn Jones in 1953, in California. They divorced in 1964. Spelling married Candy Gene (née Marer) in 1968. The couple had daughter Tori in 1973 and son Randy in 1978.

In 1988, Spelling bought the 6-acre (2.4 ha) property of Bing Crosby's former Los Angeles house. He demolished the property and built a 123-room home on the lot in 1991. Known as "The Manor", it has 56,500 square feet (5,250 m) of floor space and is the largest single-family home in Los Angeles. Spelling's widow Candy listed the home for sale in 2008 for $150 million. Heiress Petra Ecclestone ultimately purchased the property for $85 million in 2011 through a brokered agreement that was developed by Brandon Davis, the brother of Jason Davis and grandson of wealthy industrialist, Marvin Davis.

Career

Spelling made his first appearance as an actor in a film as Harry Williams in Vicki, directed by Harry Horner, in 1953. That same year, he appeared in the TV series I Led Three Lives and Dragnet (six episodes, 1953–55). Spelling appeared in episode 112 of I Love Lucy ("Tennessee Bound," season 4, 1955) and Alfred Hitchcock Presents ("Breakdown", 1955). He continued to appear in films and TV (often uncredited) over 25 times by 1957, appearing briefly as an actor in 1963, 1995, and 1998 (all uncredited.)

Spelling sold his first script to Jane Wyman Presents in 1954. He guest-starred that same year as a dogcatcher in the premiere episode of the CBS situation comedy, Willy, starring June Havoc as a young lawyer in New Hampshire, who later relocates to New York City to represent a vaudeville troupe. Two years later, Spelling gained experience as a producer and additional credits as a script writer working on the Four Star television series Zane Grey Theater, which aired between 1956 and 1961. Of the 149 episodes in that series, he wrote 20 of the teleplays and produced many others.

Thomas-Spelling Productions was a television production company formed by comedian Danny Thomas and producer Aaron Spelling on April 15, 1966 as a partnership with 24 properties.Thomas continued his existing partnership, T&L Productions, with Sheldon Leonard.The company adapted its name by July 18, 1966 when it announced the financial involvement of ABC with its first show, Range (later Rango), a half-hour comedy western starring Tim Conway and its rented space on Desilu Productions' Gower lot. ABC also picked up another show for a pilot, just in an outline treatment, in The Guns of Will Sonnett.Thomas-Spelling Productions' active operations ended with the last season of The Mod Squad in 1972.Spelling formed a new partnership with Leonard Goldberg, Spelling-Goldberg Productions.

Beginning in 1965, Spelling began producing successful television shows including The Mod Squad, The Rookies, Family, Charlie's Angels, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat, Dynasty, Beverly Hills, 90210 (which starred his daughter Tori), Melrose Place, 7th Heaven, Charmed, Jane's House and Sunset Beach. Spelling founded Spelling Entertainment in 1965, alongside partnerships with comedian/actor Danny Thomas (Thomas-Spelling Productions, 1966–1972), and television/film producer Leonard Goldberg (Spelling-Goldberg Productions, 1972–1986) He produced the unsuccessful situation comedy The San Pedro Beach Bums in 1977.

In 2004, Spelling was portrayed in two television movies: Dan Castellaneta portrayed Spelling in Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Charlie's Angels, and Nicholas Hammond portrayed Spelling in television movie Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure.

Death and legacy

On September 15, 1978, Spelling was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 6667 Hollywood Blvd. In 1996, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.

In 1983 he was accorded the NAACP Humanitarian Award for his monetary donation that permitted a 21-year-old's heart transplant operation.

In 2001, Spelling was diagnosed with oral cancer.

On June 23, 2006, Spelling died at The Manor, his estate in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, from complications of a stroke he suffered five days prior. He also suffered from Alzheimer's disease. A private funeral was held several days later, and Spelling was entombed in a mausoleum in Culver City's Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.

On August 27, 2006, Spelling was posthumously honored at the 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards by former employees Joan Collins, Stephen Collins, Heather Locklear, Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith.

7th Heaven's May 13, 2007, episode, the last before the series finale, was dedicated to Spelling. When 7th Heaven ended its run, it was touted by the network as being Spelling's longest-running series and the longest-running "family drama" in American television history.

Filmography

He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film

YearFilmCreditNotes
1960Guns of the Timberland
1974California SplitExecutive producer
1976Baby Blue Marine
1983Mr. MomExecutive producer
1986'night, Mother
1987Surrender
Three O'Clock HighExecutive producer
Cross My HeartAssociate producer
1988Satisfaction
1990Loose Cannons
1991Soapdish
1999The Mod SquadExecutive producer
2000Charlie's AngelsExecutive producerFinal film as a producer
As writer
YearFilm
1960Guns of the Timberland
One Foot in Hell
As an actor
YearFilmRoleNotes
1953VickiHarry Williams
1954Three Young TexansCatur
Alaska SeasThe Knifer
Black WidowMr. Oliver
The Bamboo PrisonSkinny
1955Wyoming RenegadesPetie Carver
Mad at the WorldWillie Hanson
Target ZeroPfc. Strangler
KismetBeggar
DementiaNightclub Patron
1957The Spirit of St. LouisMr. Fearless

Television

YearTitleCreditNotes
1959−60Johnny Ringo
1961The DuPont Show with June Allyson
1959−61Zane Grey Theatre
1961−63The Dick Powell Show
1962−63The Lloyd Bridges ShowExecutive producer
1965The DecoratorExecutive producerTelevision short
1963−66Burke's Law
1965−66Honey WestExecutive producer
The Smothers Brothers ShowExecutive producer
1967Rango
Off to See the WizardExecutive producer
Cricket on the HearthExecutive producerTelevision film
1968The Danny Thomas Hour
1967−69The Guns of Will Sonnett
1969The Over-the-Hill GangExecutive producerTelevision film
Wake Me When the War Is OverExecutive producerTelevision film
The MonkExecutive producerTelevision film
The PigeonExecutive producerTelevision film
The Ballad of Andy CrockerExecutive producerTelevision film
1969−70The New PeopleExecutive producer
1970Carter's ArmyExecutive producerTelevision film
The Love WarTelevision film
Death Valley Days
How Awful About AllanExecutive producerTelevision film
But I Don't Want to Get Married!Television film
The Old Man Who Cried WolfExecutive producerTelevision film
Wild WomenExecutive producerTelevision film
The House That Would Not DieTelevision film
The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides AgainExecutive producerTelevision film
Crowhaven FarmExecutive producerTelevision film
Run, Simon, RunTelevision film
1970−71The Young RebelsExecutive producer
The Most Deadly GameExecutive producer
1971Love Hate LoveExecutive producerTelevision film
YumaTelevision film
River of GoldExecutive producerTelevision film
Congratulations, It's a Boy!Television film
Five Desperate WomenTelevision film
The Last ChildExecutive producerTelevision film
A Taste of EvilTelevision film
In Broad DaylightExecutive producerTelevision film
The Death of Me YetTelevision film
The Reluctant HeroesExecutive producerTelevision film
If Tomorrow ComesExecutive producerTelevision film
The TrackersExecutive producerTelevision film
1972Two for the MoneyExecutive producerTelevision film
The Daughters of Joshua CabeExecutive producerTelevision film
No Place to RunTelevision film
Say Goodbye, Maggie ColeTelevision film
Rolling ManExecutive producerTelevision film
The Bounty ManTelevision film
Home for the HolidaysExecutive producerTelevision film
Every Man Needs OneExecutive producerTelevision film
1973A Cold Night's DeathExecutive producerTelevision film
SnatchedExecutive producerTelevision film
The Great American Beauty ContestExecutive producerTelevision film
The LettersTelevision film
The BaitTelevision film
Satan's School for GirlsTelevision film
Hijack!Executive producerTelevision film
Letters from Three LoversExecutive producerTelevision film
The AffairExecutive producerTelevision film
StoneCo-executive producerTelevision film
1968−73The Mod SquadExecutive producer
1974The Death SquadTelevision film
FirehouseExecutive producer
Chopper OneExecutive producer
The Girl Who Came Gift-WrappedTelevision film
Cry PanicTelevision film
SavagesTelevision film
Death SentenceTelevision film
Hit LadyTelevision film
Death CruiseTelevision film
Only with Married MenExecutive producerTelevision film
The Fireman's BallExecutive producerTelevision film
1975The Daughters of Joshua Cabe ReturnExecutive producerTelevision film
The Fireman's BallExecutive producerTelevision pilot
Murder on Flight 502Executive producerTelevision film
The Legend of ValentinoExecutive producerTelevision film
1976One of My Wives Is MissingExecutive producerTelevision film
The New Daughters of Joshua CabeExecutive producerTelevision film
Death at Love HouseExecutive producerTelevision film
33 Hours in the Life of GodTelevision film
The Sad and Lonely SundaysExecutive producerTelevision film
The Boy in the Plastic BubbleExecutive producerTelevision film
1972−76The RookiesExecutive producer
1975−76S.W.A.T.Executive producer
1977Little Ladies of the NightExecutive producerTelevision film
The Love Boat IIExecutive producerTelevision film
The San Pedro BumsExecutive producerTelevision pilot
The San Pedro Beach BumsExecutive producer
1978Cruise Into TerrorTelevision film
Wild and WoolyExecutive producerTelevision film
Kate Bliss and the Ticker Tape KidExecutive producerTelevision film
The UsersExecutive producerTelevision film
1979FriendsExecutive producer
Beach PatrolExecutive producerTelevision film
The Power WithinExecutive producerTelevision film
The Return of the Mod SquadExecutive producerTelevision film
Love's Savage FuryExecutive producerTelevision film
The French Atlantic AffairExecutive producer
1975−79Starsky & HutchExecutive producer
1980WaikikiExecutive producerTelevision film
Murder Can Hurt You!Executive producerTelevision film
CasinoExecutive producerTelevision film
B.A.D. CatsExecutive producer
1976−80FamilyExecutive producer
1981Aloha ParadiseExecutive producer
The Best Little Girl in the WorldExecutive producerTelevision film
SizzleExecutive producerTelevision film
1976−81Charlie's AngelsExecutive producer
1978−81VegasExecutive producer
1981−82Strike ForceExecutive producer
1982Massarati and the BrainExecutive producerTelevision film
Scared SillyExecutive producerTelevision pilot
The Wild Women of Chastity GulchExecutive producerTelevision film
Don't Go to SleepExecutive producerTelevision film
1983At EaseExecutive producer
Shooting StarsExecutive producerTelevision film
Venice MedicalExecutive producerTelevision short
Making of a Male ModelExecutive producerTelevision film
1984Dark MirrorExecutive producerTelevision film
VelvetTelevision film
1977−84Fantasy IslandExecutive producer
1979−84Hart to HartExecutive producer
1985Hollywood WivesExecutive producer
MacGruder and LoudExecutive producer
International AirportExecutive producerTelevision film
Hollywood BeatExecutive producer
1982−85Matt HoustonExecutive producer
1984−85Finder of Lost LovesExecutive producer
GlitterExecutive producer
1986CrossingsExecutive producer
Mr. and Mrs. RyanExecutive producerTelevision film
Dark MansionsExecutive producerTelevision film
Life with LucyExecutive producer
1982−86T. J. HookerExecutive producer
1977−87The Love BoatExecutive producer
Associate producer
1985−87The ColbysExecutive producer
1987Harry's Hong KongExecutive producerTelevision film
Cracked UpExecutive producerTelevision film
The Hope DivisionExecutive producerTelevision film
Free SpiritExecutive producerTelevision film
1983−88HotelExecutive producer
1988NightingalesExecutive producerTelevision pilot
CBS Summer PlayhouseExecutive producer
Divided We StandExecutive producerTelevision pilot
The LonerExecutive producerTelevision film
1989Day OneExecutive producerTelevision film
NightingalesExecutive producer
Just TemporaryExecutive producerTelevision film
1981−89DynastyExecutive producer
1988−89HeartBeatExecutive producer
1990Rich Men, Single WomenExecutive producerTelevision film
The Love Boat: A Valentine VoyageExecutive producerTelevision film
Just LifeExecutive producerTelevision film
1991JailbirdsExecutive producerTelevision film
Dynasty: The ReunionExecutive producer
1992Back to the Streets of San FranciscoExecutive producerTelevision film
Grass RootsExecutive producerTelevision film
Sexual AdvancesExecutive producerTelevision film
The Heights
2000 Malibu RoadExecutive producer
The Round TableExecutive producer
1993And the Band Played OnExecutive producerTelevision film
A Stranger in the MirrorExecutive producerTelevision film
Gulf CityExecutive producerTelevision film
1994Jane's HouseExecutive producerTelevision film
Winnetka RoadExecutive producer
Love on the RunExecutive producerTelevision film
Green Dolphin BeatExecutive producerTelevision film
TexasExecutive producerTelevision film
Heaven Help UsExecutive producer
1994−95Models Inc.Executive producer
Robin's HoodsExecutive producer
Madman of the PeopleExecutive producer
Burke's LawExecutive producer
1995University HospitalExecutive producer
The InvadersExecutive producer
Crosstown TrafficExecutive producerTelevision film
1996A Season in PurgatoryExecutive producer
Pier 66Executive producerTelevision film
Malibu ShoresExecutive producer
After JimmyExecutive producerTelevision film
Kindred: The EmbracedExecutive producer
1996−97SavannahExecutive producer
1997Pacific PalisadesExecutive producer
Odd JobsTelevision film
1998Love Boat: The Next WaveExecutive producer
Buddy FaroExecutive producer
1999Rescue 77Executive producer
Safe HarborExecutive producer
Forbidden IslandExecutive producer
1992−99Melrose PlaceExecutive producer
1997−99Sunset BeachExecutive producer
2000Satan's School for GirlsExecutive producerTelevision film
1990−2000Beverly Hills, 90210Executive producer
2000−01TitansExecutive producer
2001Stop at NothingTelevision film
All SoulsExecutive producer
2002Home of the BraveExecutive producerTelevision film
Deep CoverExecutive producer
2003Queens SupremeExecutive producer
KingpinExecutive producer
The Law and Mr. LeeExecutive producerTelevision film
HotelExecutive producerTelevision pilot
2003−0410-8: Officers on DutyExecutive producer
2004Silver LakeExecutive producerTelevision film
2004−05ClubhouseExecutive producer
SummerlandExecutive producer
2005WantedExecutive producer
HitchedExecutive producerTelevision film
CrazyExecutive producerTelevision pilot
Bounty HuntersExecutive producerTelevision film
1996−20067th HeavenExecutive producer
1998−2006CharmedExecutive producer
2006Split DecisionExecutive producerTelevision film
As writer
YearTitleNotes
1957Fireside Theatre
Big-Foot WallaceTelevision film
1958Playhouse 90
Decision
Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse
1957−59Wagon Train
1959The David Niven Show
1959−60Johnny Ringo
1956−61Zane Grey Theatre
1962The Dick Powell Show
Kraft Mystery Theater
1962−63The Lloyd Bridges Show
1965−66The Smothers Brothers Show
1967−69The Guns of Will Sonnett
1969−70The New People
1970Carter's ArmyTelevision film
1971The TrackersTelevision film
1974The Rookies
As an actor
YearTitleRoleNotes
1953I Led 3 LivesElevator Operator
1954The Lone WolfLoran Dane
WillyHomer the dogcatcher
Treasury Men in ActionN/A
1955I Love LucyGas Station Man
Soldiers of FortuneCharlie Applegood
The Man Behind the BadgeBilly
Fireside TheatreOlaf
Alfred Hitchcock PresentsRoad Worker
1953−55DragnetBruce Marcus
'Bigs' Donaldson
Charlie Coleman
Ollie
Charles Boyd
1956Big TownN/A
CrusaderAndrew Hock
Valentino
GunsmokeWeed Pindle
The MillionaireMax
1955−56Studio 57Docker
Olaf
TV Reader's DigestColonel Dornet
Ben Williams
1963Burke's LawHarry Penn
1995Beverly Hills, 90210Executive in Limo
1998Sunset BeachVincent Duke
2001CharmedAaron
Mourner
Miscellaneous crew
YearTitleRoleNotes
1957−58Zane Grey TheatreStory supervisor
1982The RenegadesCreative consultantTelevision pilot
Soundtrack
YearTitleSongNotes
1956GunsmokePerformer: "Red River Valley"
1958Zane Grey TheatreWriter: "The Ballad of Dan Case"
As director
YearTitle
1959Wagon Train
Thanks
YearTitleNotes
2006−077th HeavenIn memory of
In loving memory of
2012The Adventures of Dugg & LemmyVery special thanks
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