Aaron Spelling, who died on June 23, 2006, was on of the most prolific producers in television history. In 1984, Spelling’s seven series on ABC generated one-third of the network's prime time schedule and led some critics to rename ABC "Aaron's Broadcasting Company."
Aaron Spelling began his career as a successful playwright at Southern Methodist University, where he won the Eugene O’Neill Award for original one-act plays in 1947-48. After trying to make it on Broadway without success, Spelling headed to Hollywood. There, he would marry his first wife, actress Carolyn Jones (King Creole, The Addams Family); they divorced in 1964. Spelling took some work as an actor, but later worked as a script writer on episodic television such as Playhouse 90, Wagon Train, and Jane Wyman Theatre.
Aaron Spelling then became a producer at Four Star Studio Productions where he created The Lloyd Bridges Show (1962-63), Burke’s Law (1963-66), Honey West (1965-66), and helped in the development of The Smothers Brothers Show (1967-75).
After Spelling left Four Star, he formed a partnership with comic legend Danny Thomas. It was during this time that Spelling had his first major hit — The Mod Squad (1968-73) garnered six Emmy nominations, including one for best drama series of the 1969-70 season. In 1972, Spelling formed a new partnership with Leonard Goldberg that lasted until 1977 and resulted in such hits as Starsky and Hutch (1972-76), and Charlie’s Angel’s (1976-81.)
Many of Spelling’s series focused on the lives of the extremely wealthy or the dedicated crime fighter. Television in the 1980s was dominated by Spelling shows: The Love Boat (1977-86), Hart To Hart (1979-84), Matt Houston (1982-85), TJ. Hooker (1982-87), and McGruder and Loud (1985). While that resume would make many producers envious, that is just a sampling of Aaron Spelling’s lengthy credits.
Many viewers will remember Spelling for his contributions to the nighttime soap opera. Dynasty (1981-89), the saga of a wealthy Denver oil family, became one of the most popular shows of the decade. Dynasty was also one of the first prime time television shows to feature a gay character in a regular role. Spelling’s success continued into the 1990s with the teen soap, Beverly Hills 90210 on Fox. While he took some heat over his daughter Tori being cast on the show, the program ran for ten years and spawned a successful spinoff, Melrose Place.
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