NickDisk Reloaded

[Marching to Mars]

Aaron Spelling, a onetime movie bit player who turned to television production and created a massive number of hit series, from the vintage "Charlie's Angels" and "Dynasty" to "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Melrose Place," died Friday, his publicist said. He was 83.

Spelling died at his home in Los Angeles after suffering a stroke on June 18, according to publicist Kevin Sasaki.

Spelling's other hit series included "Love Boat," "Fantasy Island," "Burke's Law," "The Mod Squad," "Starsky and Hutch," "T.J. Hooker," "Matt Houston," "Hart to Hart" and "Hotel." He kept his hand in 21st-century TV with series including "7th Heaven" and "Summerland."

He also produced more than 140 television movies. Among the most notable: "Death Sentence" (1974), Nick Nolte's first starring role; "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble" (1976), John Travolta's first dramatic role; "The Best Little Girl in the World" (1981), which starred Jennifer Jason Leigh.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Spelling provided series and movies exclusively for ABC and is credited for the network's rise to major status. Jokesters referred to it as "The Aaron Broadcasting Company."

[avaitor]

this was inveitble.oh well,he was a great producer.

[jadeflower82]

That's so sad.

My favorite live action show, Charmed was created by him and his studio. It's sad to see someone with such creativity go so quickly and unexpectedly. Well, at least he lived to a nice ripe old age. I just hope hedidn't suffer any.
~Mara

[Mike2000]

I remember all those series from the 70s and 80s. I watched them all, and most of them were among my favorites at the time. Me and my brother used to watch them at night, sometimes well after my curfew (I was a kid at the time... )