AARON SPELLING

April 22, 1923

Aaron Spelling was born in Dallas, Texas.  After attending high school, he served in the United States Army Air Corps as a pilot during World War II. Spelling later graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1949, where he was a cheerleader.

Spelling made his first appearance as an actor in a film as Harry Williams in Vicki in 1953. That same year, he made his TV debut in the series “I Led Three Lives” and in six episodes of “Dragnet” from 1953 to 1955.

He first worked for Desilu as an actor in the September 1954 premiere of their series “Willy” starring June Havoc.  He played a dog catcher alongside some “Lucy” favorites Charles Lane, Lloyd Corrigan, Mary Treen, and Will Wright. 

His first and only time acting opposite Lucille Ball was on the “I Love Lucy” episode “Tennessee Bound” (ILL S4;E15) filmed on November 18, 1954 and first aired on January 24, 1955. He played a small town gas station attendant somewhere in Tennessee. 

He started moving away from acting, branching out into writing and producing. 

In December 1958 he wrote in “The Night The Phone Rang” for the “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse”. Desi Arnaz introduced the episode, which also starred “Lucy” cast members Paul Dubov and Ross Elliott.  Eddie Albert co-starred with his wife, the singularly named Margo. Spelling and Albert share a birthday!

In May 1961, Spelling was a guest on Desilu’s “Here’s Hollywood” a show where celebrities were interviewed, mainly in their own homes.

He began producing shortly afterwards, eventually creating Aaron Spelling Productions, which went on to create some of TV’s most popular shows: 

• Family (1976–80) 
• Charlie’s Angels (1976–81) 
• The Love Boat (1977–86)
• Hart to Hart (1979–84) 
• Dynasty (1981–89) 
• Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000) 
• Melrose Place (1992–99) 
• 7th Heaven (1996–2007) 
• Charmed (1998–2006)

In May 1961, Spelling was a guest on Desilu’s “Here’s Hollywood” a show where celebrities were interviewed, mainly in their own homes.

Spelling had been talking with Ball and her second husband Gary Morton since 1979 about possibly doing another series. Ball was hesitant, but agreed as long as she was given complete creative control. Spelling later regretted agreeing to her demands. The result was the short-lived sitcom “Life With Lucy” co-produced with Lucille Ball Productions. 

Spelling married actress Carolyn Jones (”The Addams Family”) in 1953. They divorced in 1964. Spelling married Candy Gene (née Marer) in 1968. The couple had daughter Tori in 1973 and son Randy in 1978.

On June 23, 2006, Spelling died from complications of a stroke he suffered five days prior. He also suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 83 years old.

His many awards include two Primetime Emmy Awards for Producing, a BAFTA Award for Excellence, an numerous other recognitions.