Legendary TV Producer, Aaron Spelling, Dies at 83

Legendary TV producer, Aaron Spelling, creator of such hits shows as Beverly Hills 90210, Charlie's Angels and Dynasty, has died at the age of 83. Spelling's death comes just days after he had suffered a stroke.

The Los Angeles Times reports that "Spelling died at his Holmby Hills mansion of complications from a stroke he suffered Sunday, according to his publicist, Kevin Sasaki. His wife, Candy, and son, Randy, were at his bedside." Kevin Sasaki said his death came at 6:25pm local time, after Spelling had a brief stint in the hospital over the weekend.

Aaron Spelling has, 83, shaped many television series and actors over his 50 year tenure in Hollywood. As Reuters puts it, "Spelling, a decorated war veteran, lifted himself out of poverty to become one of the richest and most powerful men in Hollywood. The Texas native was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most prolific producer."

Aaron Spelling was born in Dallas, Texas on April 22, 1923. Spelling would serve in the Air Force from 1942 to 1945, and in the process, would earn the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal. In 1953, Aaron Spelling would marry actress Carolyn James, and the couple would move to California. Spelling would start out his Hollywood career by playing villains in TV Westerns such as Gunsmoke, Dragnet as well as an episode of I Love Lucy . In 1954, Spelling would catch his first big break by selling his first script to the Jane Wyman Theatre the following year.

Aaron Spelling would gain more success, creating Burke's Law in 1963, starring Gene Benny. The New York Daily News shows how Aaron Spelling locked his name into the Hollywood culture. "Spelling's star began to rise when he paired with entertainer Danny Thomas in the 1960s to produce 'The Danny Thomas Show,' 'The Guns of Will Sonnet' and the groundbreaking 'The Mod Squad,' which won the hearts of restless young viewers with its offbeat multiracial cop trio played by Peggy Lipton, Clarence Williams 3rd and Michael Cole." The New York Daily News went on to use a quote from Aaron Spelling, in which he said "I was very proud of that show. It's the first time an African-American guy kissed a white girl [on network television]."

Aaron Spelling would divorce Carolyn James in 1965. In 1968, he would marry Carol Jean Marer (Candy Spelling). A few years later, Aaron and Candy Spelling would start their family off, with the birth of Victoria Davey Spelling (better known as Tori Spelling) in 1973, and Randall Gene Spelling (better known as Randy Spelling) in 1978.

Aaron Spelling went on to enjoy commercial success in the 70s and 80s, with shows like The Rookie, Starsky & Hutch, Hart to Hart, Charlie's Angels, The Love Boat, T.J. Hooker, Fantasy Island, and Dynasty, just to name a few. He came to produce so many ABC shows that ABC was jokingly referred to as the "Aaron Broadcasting Company". Spelling's success made him rich, with an estimated wealth of over $300 million in the 1980s. The ultimate sign of his wealth was his home.

A former Bing Crosby property, which was purchased for $10 million, Spelling went on to build a 56,500 French chateau in the Holmby Hills area on the estate (and two other properties) after demolishing the old house. As The Globe and Mail reports, "The two-story house reached a height of 51 feet. Among the features: an entire floor for closets, a one-lane bowling alley, plus the usual elements for the Hollywood rich - pool, tennis court, gym, screening room. Built on rollers, it easily survived the 1994 Northridge earthquake."

Despite all of Spelling's commercial successes, he remained at odds with critics over much of his tenure. An old interview excerpt found in The Washington Post sums up his approach to TV. "Unfortunately, we often have to make the choice between 150 critics and 150 million Americans out there, and I have always felt that my job was to please [the viewers]. To entertain them." Of his work, he would say "I think there is a need to escape. I think it is a release valve that keeps people from blowing their brains out or having nervous breakdowns. We find that the majority of our audience is worried, really worried, about the cost of food, how much it costs to send your kid to school, the cost of clothes.

More recently, Spelling has created Beverly Hills, 90210, in which his daughter, Tori Spelling played the role of Donna Martin, 7th Heaven, Melrose Place, Charmed, and the upcoming Split Decision. Many of his projects involved his children, with Tori Spelling makes appearances in The Love Boat, T.J. Hooker, Fantasy Island and Vega$, and Randy Spelling showing up in Beverly Hills, 90210 twice and also in 7th Heaven.

Memorial service details have not been announced.

[Additional Sources: The Los Angeles Times, Reuters, The New York Daily News, The Globe and Mail, The Washington Post ]