Aaron Spelling

Aaron Spelling (April 22, 1923 – June 23, 2006) was an American film and television producer and occasional actor. His productions included the television 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 The Mod Squad (1968–1973), The Rookies (1972–1976) and Sunset Beach (1997–1999).

Through his production company Spelling Television, Spelling holds the record as the most prolific television producer in American television history, with 218 producer and executive producer credits. He is also acknowledged to have produced more than 3,000 hours of television, which was at point a record as well. Forbes ranked him the 11th-highest-earning deceased celebrity in 2009.

Early life Spelling was born in Dallas, Texas. He was the son of David Spelling and Pearl Spelling (née Wald), Russian Jewish immigrants. His father worked as a tailor and changed his surname from Sperling (German for Sparrow) to Spelling after immigrating to the United States. His mother had previously been married to Sam Seltzer, who was murdered in 1911, the year before she married Spelling's father. Spelling was the youngest of five children. He had two older brothers, Sam (1916–2001) and Daniel Spelling (1921–2009), and two older half-siblings, Max Seltzer (1907–1975) and Becky Seltzer Giller (1910–1978).

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.

Spelling attended Forest Avenue High School in Dallas. During World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Corps as an entertainer on a troop ship and a correspondent for Stars and Stripes.

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); in Alfred Hitchcock Presents ("Breakdown", 1955);

He guest-starred in 1954 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.

Spelling sold his first script "Twenty Dollar Bride" to The Jane Wyman Show in 1956. He gained experience as a producer and additional credits as a script writer working for Four Star Television on the 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. Spelling produced Burke's Law while at Four Star. The show was the first success for Spelling and pioneered the multiple guest star format, later seen on The Love Boat and Fantasy Island. In 1965, he quit Four Star to set up his own production company with a two-year agreement with United Artists Television to produce television shows and movies.

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. 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 sitcom 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.

Personal life Carolyn Jones and Spelling in 1960Spelling married actress Carolyn Jones in 1953, when he was 30 and she was 23. They divorced in 1964. He briefly dated actress Jill Haworth when he was 42 and she was 19. Spelling married the former Candy Marer in 1968 when he was 45 and she was 23. The couple had daughter Tori in 1973 and son Randy in 1978.

In 1988, Spelling bought the property of Bing Crosby's former Los Angeles mansion. He demolished the property and built a 123-room home on the lot in 1991. Known as "The Manor," it has of floor space and as of 2006 was the largest single-family home in Los Angeles. Spelling's widow Candy listed the home for sale in 2008 for $150 million.

In 1992, Candy Spelling, Spelling's second wife, commissioned pinball manufacturer Data East to produce a personalized table as a gift to Spelling. The game, a modified version of Data East's Lethal Weapon 3 table, has since appeared publicly at collector's expos.

At his death, Spelling's estate was valued at $500 million.

Legacy and death 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.

At the time of his death, Spelling held a place in The Guinness Book of World Records for the most hours of television produced, with more than 3,000 hours to his name.

7th Heavens 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.

From January to May 2022, the Austin Film Society released, via its YouTube channel a five chapter documentary about Spelling's work titled History of Television: Masters & Methods: Aaron Spelling.

Documentary The Spelling Family's $500 Million Inheritance War, which was released by YouTube channel Star Power - Celebrity Documentaries & Biographies on February 16, 2026, would also detail some aspects of Spelling's life, while also focusing mainly on the years long feud between his wife and their daughter over his high valued estate.

Filmography Spelling was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.

Film Year Film Credit1953 Vicki Harry Williams 1960 Guns of the Timberland 1974 California Split Executive producer 1976 Baby Blue Marine 1983 Mr. Mom Executive producer 1986 'night, Mother 1987 Surrender Three O'Clock High Executive producer Cross My Heart 1988 Satisfaction 1990 Loose Cannons 1991 Soapdish 1999 The Mod Squad Executive producer 2000 Charlie's Angels

As writer

Year Film 1960 Guns of the Timberland One Foot in Hell

As an actor

Year Film Role Notes 1953 Vicki Harry Williams 1954 Three Young Texans Catur Alaska Seas The Knifer Black Widow Mr. Oliver Uncredited The Bamboo Prison Skinny 1955 Wyoming Renegades Petie Carver Mad at the World Willie Hanson Target Zero Pfc. Strangler Uncredited Kismet Beggar Dementia Nightclub Patron 1957 The Spirit of St. Louis Mr. Fearless

Television Year Title Credit Notes 1955 I Love Lucy Gas Station Man Episode: "Tennessee Bound" 1959−60 Johnny Ringo 1961 The DuPont Show with June Allyson 1959−61 Zane Grey Theatre 1961−63 The Dick Powell Show 1962−63 The Lloyd Bridges Show Executive producer 1965 The Decorator Executive producer Television short 1963−66 Burke's Law 1965−66 Honey West Executive producer The Smothers Brothers Show Executive producer 1967 Rango Off to See the Wizard Executive producer Cricket on the Hearth Executive producer Television film 1968 The Danny Thomas Hour 1967−69 The Guns of Will Sonnett 1969 The Over-the-Hill Gang Executive producer Television film Wake Me When the War Is Over Executive producer Television film The Monk Executive producer Television film The Pigeon Executive producer Television film The Ballad of Andy Crocker Executive producer Television film 1969−70 The New People Executive producer 1970 Carter's Army Executive producer Television film The Love War Television film Death Valley Days How Awful About Allan Executive producer Television film But I Don't Want to Get Married! Television film The Old Man Who Cried Wolf Executive producer Television film Wild Women Executive producer Television film The House That Would Not Die Television film The Over-the-Hill Gang Rides Again Executive producer Television film Crowhaven Farm Executive producer Television film Run, Simon, Run Television film 1970−71 The Young Rebels Executive producer The Most Deadly Game Executive producer 1971 Love Hate Love Executive producer Television film Yuma Television film River of Gold Executive producer Television film Congratulations, It's a Boy! Television film Five Desperate Women Television film The Last Child Executive producer Television film A Taste of Evil Television film In Broad Daylight Executive producer Television film The Death of Me Yet Television film The Reluctant Heroes Executive producer Television film If Tomorrow Comes Executive producer Television film The Trackers Executive producer Television film 1972 Two for the Money Executive producer Television film The Daughters of Joshua Cabe Executive producer Television film No Place to Run Television film Say Goodbye, Maggie Cole Television film Rolling Man Executive producer Television film The Bounty Man Television film Home for the Holidays Executive producer Television film Every Man Needs One Executive producer Television film 1973 A Cold Night's Death Executive producer Television film Snatched Executive producer Television film The Great American Beauty Contest Executive producer Television film The Letters Television film The Bait Television film Satan's School for Girls Television film Hijack! Executive producer Television film Letters from Three Lovers Executive producer Television film The Affair Executive producer Television film Stone Co-executive producer Television film 1968−73 The Mod Squad Executive producer 1974 The Death Squad Television film Firehouse Executive producer Chopper One Executive producer The Girl Who Came Gift-Wrapped Television film Cry Panic Television film Savages Television film Death Sentence Television film Hit Lady Television film Death Cruise Television film Only with Married Men Executive producer Television film The Fireman's Ball Executive producer Television film 1975 The Daughters of Joshua Cabe Return Executive producer Television film The Fireman's Ball Executive producer Television pilot Murder on Flight 502 Executive producer Television film The Legend of Valentino Executive producer Television film 1976 One of My Wives Is Missing Executive producer Television film The New Daughters of Joshua Cabe Executive producer Television film Death at Love House Executive producer Television film 33 Hours in the Life of God Television film The Sad and Lonely Sundays Executive producer Television film The Boy in the Plastic Bubble Executive producer Television film 1972−76 The Rookies Executive producer 1975−76 S.W.A.T. Executive producer 1977 Little Ladies of the Night Executive producer Television film The Love Boat II Executive producer Television film The San Pedro Bums Executive producer Television pilot The San Pedro Beach Bums Executive producer 1978 Cruise Into Terror Television film Wild and Wooly Executive producer Television film Kate Bliss and the Ticker Tape Kid Executive producer Television film The Users Executive producer Television film 1979 Friends Executive producer Beach Patrol Executive producer Television film The Power Within Executive producer Television film The Return of the Mod Squad Executive producer Television film Love's Savage Fury Executive producer Television film The French Atlantic Affair Executive producer 1975−79 Starsky & Hutch Executive producer 1980 Waikiki Executive producer Television film Murder Can Hurt You! Executive producer Television film Casino Executive producer Television film B.A.D. Cats Executive producer 1976−80 Family Executive producer 1981 Aloha Paradise Executive producer The Best Little Girl in the World Executive producer Television film Sizzle Executive producer Television film 1976−81 Charlie's Angels Executive producer 1978−81 Vegas Executive producer 1981−82 Strike Force Executive producer 1982 Massarati and the Brain Executive producer Television film Scared Silly Executive producer Television pilot The Wild Women of Chastity Gulch Executive producer Television film Don't Go to Sleep Executive producer Television film 1983 At Ease Executive producer Shooting Stars Executive producer Television film Venice Medical Executive producer Television short Making of a Male Model Executive producer Television film 1984 Dark Mirror Executive producer Television film Velvet Television film 1977−84 Fantasy Island Executive producer 1979−84 Hart to Hart Executive producer 1985 Hollywood Wives Executive producer MacGruder and Loud Executive producer International Airport Executive producer Television film Hollywood Beat Executive producer 1982−85 Matt Houston Executive producer 1984−85 Finder of Lost Loves Executive producer Glitter Executive producer 1986 Crossings Executive producer Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Executive producer Television film Dark Mansions Executive producer Television film Life with Lucy Executive producer 1982−86 T. J. Hooker Executive producer 1977−87 The Love Boat Executive producerAssociate producer 1985−87 The Colbys Executive producer 1987 Harry's Hong Kong Executive producer Television film Cracked Up Executive producer Television film The Hope Division Executive producer Television film Free Spirit Executive producer Television film 1983−88 Hotel Executive producer 1988 Nightingales Executive producer Television pilot CBS Summer Playhouse Executive producer Divided We Stand Executive producer Television pilot The Loner Executive producer Television film 1989 Day One Executive producer Television film Nightingales Executive producer Just Temporary Executive producer Television film 1981−89 Dynasty Executive producer 1988−89 HeartBeat Executive producer 1990 Rich Men, Single Women Executive producer Television film The Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage Executive producer Television film Just Life Executive producer Television film 1991 Jailbirds Executive producer Television film Dynasty: The Reunion Executive producer 1992 Back to the Streets of San Francisco Executive producer Television film Grass Roots Executive producer Television film Sexual Advances Executive producer Television film The Heights 2000 Malibu Road Executive producer The Round Table Executive producer 1993 And the Band Played On Executive producer Television film A Stranger in the Mirror Executive producer Television film Gulf City Executive producer Television film 1994 Jane's House Executive producer Television film Winnetka Road Executive producer Love on the Run Executive producer Television film Green Dolphin Beat Executive producer Television film Texas Executive producer Television film Heaven Help Us Executive producer 1994−95 Models Inc. Executive producer Robin's Hoods Executive producer Madman of the People Executive producer Burke's Law Executive producer 1995 University Hospital Executive producer The Invaders Executive producer Crosstown Traffic Executive producer Television film 1996 A Season in Purgatory Executive producer Pier 66 Executive producer Television film Malibu Shores Executive producer After Jimmy Executive producer Television film Kindred: The Embraced Executive producer 1996−97 Savannah Executive producer 1997 Pacific Palisades Executive producer Odd Jobs Television film 1998 Love Boat: The Next Wave Executive producer Buddy Faro Executive producer 1999 Rescue 77 Executive producer Safe Harbor Executive producer Forbidden Island Executive producer 1992−99 Melrose Place Executive producer 1997−99 Sunset Beach Executive producer 2000 Satan's School for Girls Executive producer Television film 1990−2000 Beverly Hills, 90210 Executive producer 2000−01 Titans Executive producer 2001 Stop at Nothing Television film All Souls Executive producer 2002 Home of the Brave Executive producer Television film Deep Cover Executive producer 2003 Queens Supreme Executive producer Kingpin Executive producer The Law and Mr. Lee Executive producer Television film Hotel Executive producer Television pilot 2003−04 10-8: Officers on Duty Executive producer 2004 Silver Lake Executive producer Television film 2004−05 Clubhouse Executive producer Summerland Executive producer 2005 Wanted Executive producer Hitched Executive producer Television film Crazy Executive producer Television pilot Bounty Hunters Executive producer Television film 1996−2006 7th Heaven Executive producer 1998−2006 Charmed Executive producer 2006 Split Decision Executive producer Television film

As writer

Year Title Notes Other notes 1957 The Jane Wyman Show Episode: "Twenty Dollar Bride" Big-Foot Wallace Television film 1958 Playhouse 90 Decision Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse 1957−59 Wagon Train 1959 The David Niven Show 1959−60 Johnny Ringo 1956−61 Zane Grey Theatre 1962 The Dick Powell Show Kraft Mystery Theater 1962−63 The Lloyd Bridges Show 1965−66 The Smothers Brothers Show 1967−69 The Guns of Will Sonnett 1969−70 The New People 1970 Carter's Army Television film 1971 The Trackers Television film Uncredited 1974 The Rookies

As an actor

Year Title Role Notes 1953 I Led 3 Lives Elevator Operator 1954 The Lone Wolf Loran Dane Willy Homer the dogcatcher Treasury Men in Action 1955 I Love Lucy Gas Station Man episode "Tennessee Bound" (1955) Soldiers of Fortune Charlie Applegood The Man Behind the Badge Billy Fireside Theatre Olaf Alfred Hitchcock Presents Road Worker Convict Season 1 Episode 7: "Breakdown" 1953−55 Dragnet Bruce Marcus'Bigs' DonaldsonCharlie ColemanOllieCharles Boyd 1956 Big Town Crusader Andrew HockValentino Gunsmoke Weed Pindle The Millionaire Max 1955−56 Studio 57 DockerOlaf TV Reader's Digest Colonel DornetBen Williams 1963 Burke's Law Harry Penn Uncredited 1995 Beverly Hills, 90210 Executive in Limo 1998 Sunset Beach Vincent Duke 2001 Charmed AaronMourner

Miscellaneous crew

Year Title Role Notes 1957−58 Zane Grey Theatre Story supervisor 1982 The Renegades Creative consultant Television pilot

Soundtrack

Year Title Role Notes 1956 Gunsmoke Performer: "Red River Valley" Uncredited 1958 Zane Grey Theatre Writer: "The Ballad of Dan Case"

As director

Year Title 1959 Wagon Train

Thanks

Year Title Role 2006−07 7th Heaven In memory ofIn loving memory of 2012 The Adventures of Dugg & Lemmy Very special thanks

Awards and nominations Award Year Recipient / Work Category Result Britannia Awards 1999 Himself Excellence in Television GLAAD Media Awards 1994 Himself Vanguard Award Primetime Emmy Awards 1977 Family Outstanding Drama Series 1978 Family Outstanding Drama Series 1982 Dynasty Outstanding Drama Series 1989 Day One Outstanding Drama or Comedy Special 1994 And the Band Played On Outstanding Television Movie 1996 Himself Hall of Fame Producers Guild of America Awards 2000 Himself Norman Lear Achievement Award