Aaron Spelling

Aaron Spelling remains television’s most prolific producer, primarily known for escapist entertainment.

Synopsis

Television producer Aaron Spelling was born on April 22, 1923, in Dallas, Texas. After forming Thomas-Spelling Productions with Danny Thomas, he produced several successful television shows. In 1976, he released a hit ABC movie, The Boy in the Pastic Bubble. In 1972, he created Aaron Spelling Productions, which went public in 1986 as Spelling Entertainment. He died in 2006, but remains television’s most prolific producer.

Early Life and Career

Television producer, writer and actor Aarom Spelling was Born on April 22, 1923, in Dallas, Texas. The son of Polish Jewish immigrants, Spelling served in the United States Army Air Force as a war correspondent during World War II and graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1949. He entered Hollywood as a script writer and actor, working for Dick Powell's FourStar Productions during the 1950s.

Production Career

After forming Thomas-Spelling Productions with Danny Thomas, Spelling produced several successful television shows, including The Mod Squad, The Rookies and Charlie's Angels. In 1976, he released the hit ABC movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble starring a young John Travolta. In 1972, he created Aaron Spelling Productions, which went public in 1986 as Spelling Entertainment.

Spelling remains television's most prolific producer primarily known for escapist entertainment. Among his many successes are some of television's most seminal series, including Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, Starsky and Hutch, The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, Dynasty, Twin Peaks and 7th Heaven. He also produced the HBO miniseries And the Band Played On, which won Spelling his first Emmy Award. He won his second for another TV movie, Day One.

Personal Life

Spelling was married to actress Carolyn Jones from 1953 to 1965. In 1968, he married Carol Jean Marer with whom he had two children, Victoria Davey, better known as Tori Spelling, and Randall Gene, both actors. Spelling was diagnosed with oral cancer in 2001 and died on June 23, 2006 after suffering a severe stroke.

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