Aaron Spelling, one of the most prolific producers in the history of television, died on Friday at the age of 83.
Anyone who has ever watched television has seen an Aaron Spelling - produced show. He was a television pioneer, creating new genres and some of today's most recognized TV stars. To name just a few that he created and/or executive produced: The Mod Squad, Charlie's Angels, Starsky & Hutch, Dynasty, Family, The Love Boat, Hart to Hart, MelrosePlace, Beverly Hills 90210, and 7th Heaven. Of course,Tori Spelling likely wouldn't have a career if it weren't for her father. Then again, he did give us Dylan McKay, and for that, my inner 16-year-old thanks him.
When I was a kid,I got excited just seeing that name "Aaron Spelling" in the credits, because that meant that one of my two favorite shows was starting: Charlie's Angels, or The Love Boat. Spelling seemed to have a 6th sense as to what people wanted to watch. No one thought Charlie's Angels, The Mod Squad, or Melrose Place would be hits.Spelling knew better.
He started out as a bit actor with parts in I Love Lucy and Dragnet, before turning to writing and producing.
He is survived by his wife Candy, his daughter Tori and son Randy. And of course son-in-law Dean McDermitt
