Aaron Spelling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aaron Spelling
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Spelling in 1985
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| Born | April 22, 1923 Dallas, Texas, U.S.
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| Died | June 23, 2006 (aged 83) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Alma mater | Southern Methodist University |
| Occupation | Film and television producer |
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Aaron Spelling (born April 22, 1923 – died June 23, 2006) was a famous American film and television producer. He created many popular TV shows that people loved to watch. He also acted a few times.
Aaron Spelling holds the record for being the most successful TV producer in U.S. history. He had 218 credits as a producer or executive producer. Forbes magazine even listed him as one of the top-earning deceased celebrities in 2009.
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Early Life and Education
Aaron Spelling was born in Dallas, Texas. His parents, Pearl and David Spelling, were immigrants from Russia. His father worked as a tailor. Aaron was the youngest of five children in his family.
When he was eight years old, Aaron became very sick and couldn't walk for a year. This was because of stress from being bullied by other kids at school. Luckily, he got completely better.
After high school, Aaron served as a pilot in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. Later, he went to Southern Methodist University and graduated in 1949. He was even a cheerleader there!
Career in Entertainment
Aaron Spelling started his career as an actor. He appeared in a film called Vicki in 1953. He also acted in TV shows like I Love Lucy and Dragnet. He continued to act in many films and TV shows for several years.
In 1954, Aaron sold his first script for a TV show. He then gained experience as a producer and writer for Zane Grey Theater from 1956 to 1961. He wrote 20 episodes for that show.
Aaron Spelling became known for creating shows with many guest stars. This style was first seen in his show Burke's Law. He later used this idea for other popular shows like The Love Boat and Fantasy Island.
In 1965, Aaron Spelling started his own company, Spelling Entertainment. He also worked with other famous people like Danny Thomas and Leonard Goldberg. Together, they made many successful TV shows.
Some of his most famous TV shows include:
- The Mod Squad (1968–1973)
- Charlie's Angels (1976–1981)
- The Love Boat (1977–1986)
- Fantasy Island (1977–1984)
- Dynasty (1981–1989)
- Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000), which starred his daughter, Tori Spelling
- Melrose Place (1992–1999)
- 7th Heaven (1996–2007)
- Charmed (1998–2006)
In 2004, Aaron Spelling was even played by actors in two TV movies about his life and shows.
Personal Life
Aaron Spelling married actress Carolyn Jones in 1953. They divorced in 1964. In 1968, he married Candy Gene Marer. They had two children: a daughter named Tori (born in 1973) and a son named Randy (born in 1978).
In 1988, Aaron Spelling bought a large piece of land in Los Angeles. He built a huge 123-room house there, which was finished in 1991. This house, called "The Manor", was the largest single-family home in Los Angeles at the time.
In 1992, his wife Candy had a special pinball machine made just for Aaron as a gift.
Legacy and Death
Aaron Spelling received many honors for his work. In 1978, he got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1996, he was added to the Television Hall of Fame. He also received the NAACP Humanitarian Award in 1983 for helping a young person get a heart transplant.
In 2001, Aaron Spelling was diagnosed with oral cancer.
He passed away on June 23, 2006, at his home in Los Angeles. He had suffered a stroke a few days before. He also had Alzheimer's disease. A private funeral was held, and he was buried in Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.
After his death, he was honored at the 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Many actors who worked on his shows, like Joan Collins and Farrah Fawcett, paid tribute to him. The TV show 7th Heaven dedicated an episode to him. It was his longest-running series and the longest-running "family drama" in American TV history.
Awards and Nominations
| Award | Year | Recipient / Work | Category | Result | Ref(s) |
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| Britannia Awards | 1999 | Himself | Excellence in Television | Won | |
| GLAAD Media Awards | 1994 | Himself | Vanguard Award | Won | |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 1977 | Family | Outstanding Drama Series | Nominated | |
| 1978 | Family | Outstanding Drama Series | Nominated | ||
| 1982 | Dynasty | Outstanding Drama Series | Nominated | ||
| 1989 | Day One | Outstanding Drama or Comedy Special | Won | ||
| 1994 | And the Band Played On | Outstanding Television Movie | Won | ||
| 1996 | Himself | Hall of Fame | Honoree | ||
| Producers Guild of America Awards | 2000 | Himself | Norman Lear Achievement Award | Won |
See Also
In Spanish: Aaron Spelling para niños
- Norman Lear
- David L. Wolper
- Alan Landsburg
