Aaron Spelling was an American producer, screenwriter, and actor best known for his success in producing dramatic television shows and made-for-television films. Born to Jewish parents, he was diagnosed with the psychosomatic disease as a child and missed a year of school to read Mark Twain and O Henry’s literary works. It was during this period of his life that he developed a strong passion for fiction writing and chose to pursue a career in the entertainment sector. Following graduation, he relocated to Hollywood to pursue his lifelong passion, first as an actor, then as a writer, and eventually as a producer, where he achieved tremendous success. He produced a number of successful television dramas and made-for-television films that addressed a range of societal concerns, from family values and militant youth to gender discrimination, racism, and homophobia. However, he is best known for the escapist nature of his productions, which he always prioritized in terms of style and detail. He is regarded as a great director whose distinct style and complete control over all aspects of production imbued his pictures with a personal, one-of-a-kind imprint. He was a relentless and vivacious individual whose life and achievements continue to thrill and inspire audiences. He is deservedly regarded as television’s most productive producer.
Childhood & Adolescence
He was born on April 22, 1923, in Dallas, Texas, United States, to tailor David Spelling and his homemaker wife, Pearl Spelling. He was his younger brother of Rebecca and had three older brothers, Samuel, Maxwell, and Daniel.
He acquired his early education at Dallas Forest Avenue High School. When he was eight years old, he was traumatized by bullying and psychosomatically lost the use of his legs. He recovered from it after a year in bed.
He joined the US Air Force following high school and served as a war correspondent during World War II, from 1942 until 1945. He then attended Southern Methodist University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1949.
Aaron Spelling’s Career
He relocated to Hollywood, California, in 1953 in order to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. He made his acting debut in a somewhat forgotten noir film, ‘Vicki’ (1953). Additionally, he appeared in several additional films, including ‘Three Young Texans’ (1954), ‘Alaska Seas’ (1954), and ‘Black Widow’ (1954). (1954).
He began his writing career in 1954 by selling his first piece to the Jane Wyman Theatre. He contributed to television shows including Dick Powell’s ‘Zane Grey Theatre’ (1956–61), ‘Playhouse 90’ (1956–61), and ‘Wagon Train’ (1957–65).
He worked at Four Star Studio Productions from 1956 until 1965, eventually rising to the position of producer. Among his early projects were ‘The Lloyd Bridges Show’ (1962–63), ‘Burkes Law’ (1963), and ‘Honey West’ (1963). (1965).
Following his departure from Four Star, he focused almost entirely on the financial side of filmmaking, co-founding Thomas-Spelling Productions with Danny Thomas. The business developed the popular ABC television detective series ‘The Mod Squad’ (1968–1973), which was an instant success.
In 1972, he co-founded Spelling-Goldberg Productions with fellow producer Leonard Goldberg and served as co-president. It created popular television shows such as ‘The Rookies’ (1972), ‘Starsky and Hutch’ (1975), and ‘S.W.A.T.’ (1976). (1975).
In 1977, he founded and served as president of his own production firm, Aaron Spelling Productions. His business produced television dramas such as ‘Fantasy Island’ (1978), ‘Vega$’ (1978), ‘Hart to Hart (1979), ‘Dynasty’ (1981), ‘T.J. Hooker’ (1982), and ‘Hotel’ (1983); as well as ‘Hollywood Wives (1985) and ‘Nightingales’ (1985). (1989).
Additionally, his production company produced television films such as ‘The Best Little Girl in the World’ (1981), ‘Mr. Mom’ (1983), ‘Night Mother’ (1986), ‘Surrender’ (1987), ‘Cross My Heart’ (1987), ‘Soapdish’ (1991), and ‘And the Band Played On (1991). (1993).
His firm proceeded to produce television programs throughout the 1990s, including ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ (1990), ‘Melrose Place’ (1992), ‘Winnetka Road’ (1994), ‘Savannah’ (1995), ‘7th Heaven’ (1996), and ‘Charmed’ (1996). (1998).
His Significant Works
The weekly hour-long drama ‘Family’ (1976) is widely regarded as one of his finest television series productions. Among his other significant works are ‘The Mod Squad’ (1968) and ‘Dynasty’ (1969). (1981).
‘Day One (1989), about the creation of the atomic bomb, and ‘And the Band Played On (1993), about the discovery of AIDS, are among his notable works in made-for-television films.
Awards and Accomplishments
He received the ‘Writers Guild of America Award’ in 1965.
He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978.
In 1989, for the television film ‘Day One,’ he earned his first Emmy award for ‘Outstanding Drama/Comedy Special.
He won his second Emmy for ‘Outstanding Made for Television Movie’ in 1994 for the television film ‘And the Band Played On.
He was elected into the Television Academy’s Hall of Fame in 1996.
He won the BAFTA Britannia Award for Television in 1999. The following year, he received the Producers Guild of America’s David Susskind Award for Lifetime Achievement in Television.
He was posthumously honored at the 58th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2006.
Personal History and Legacies
In 1953, he married actress Carolyn Jones, who had won an Academy Award. The pair divorced in 1964 after separating in 1963.
He married Carole Jean Marer, the Los Angeles County Parks Commissioner, in 1968. The couple has two children: Tori Spelling and Randall Gene Spelling.
He died of complications from a stroke on June 23, 2006, in Los Angeles, California, United States. He was laid to rest in a mausoleum in Culver City’s Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery.
Estimated Net worth
Aaron Spelling was a prolific American television and film producer who died in 2006 with a net worth of $600 million. Spelling accumulated one of the longest lists of producer and executive producer credentials in Hollywood history, with a total of 218 credits.