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New York Times
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Gailard Sartain, Character Actor and ‘Hee Haw' Regular, Dies at 81
Gailard Sartain, a character actor who moved easily between comedy, as a cast member on the variety series 'Hee Haw'; music, as the Big Bopper singing 'Chantilly Lace' in 'The Buddy Holly Story'; and drama, as a racist sheriff in 'Mississippi Burning,' died on Thursday at his home in Tulsa, Okla. He was 81. His wife, Mary Jo (Regier) Sartain, confirmed the death but did not specify a cause. Mr. Sartain spent 20 years on 'Hee Haw,' the country equivalent of 'Laugh-In,' hosted by Buck Owens and Roy Clark, which combined cornpone sketches with music. The characters he played included a bumbling store employee, a chef at a truck stop and Officer Bull Moose. At the same time, he also developed a movie career that began with 'Nashville' (1975), Robert Altman's improvisational drama set against the background of the country music industry. In that film, Mr. Sartain played a man at an airport lunch counter talking to Keenan Wynn. 'I just said, 'Ask Keenan what he's doing in Nashville,' and he did,' Alan Rudolph, the assistant director of the film, said in an interview. But Mr. Rudolph saw something special in Mr. Sartain and went on to cast him in nine films he directed over the next two decades, including 'Roadie' (1980) and 'Endangered Species' (1982). 'I only wish I could have fit him into another nine,' he said. 'Gailard had a certain silly magic about him. Most of my films are serious and comedic at the same time. In 'Roadie,' he was opposite Meat Loaf, as beer truck drivers, and that was about 700 pounds in the front of a beer truck. That should be funny.' One of Mr. Sartain's most notable roles was in 'Mississippi Burning' (1988), Alan Parker's film about the F.B.I.'s investigation into the murders in 1964 of the civil rights workers, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, who were buried in an earthen dam. Mr. Sartain played Ray Stuckey, a county sheriff whose deputy was among the Ku Klux Klansmen who killed the men. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
News18
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Gailard Sartain, Hee Haw And Mississippi Burning Actor, Dies At 81
Last Updated: Gailard Sartain, known for his roles in Hee Haw, Ernest films, The Buddy Holly Story, and Mississippi Burning, has died at 81. Veteran actor Gailard Sartain, whose career spanned decades of television, stage, and film, including a 20‑year run on Hee Haw and memorable roles in Spider‑Man and Mississippi Burning, has passed away at the age of 81. His wife of 36 years, Mary Jo Sartain, shared the news with The Hollywood Reporter, saying he died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 'Actually, he died of silliness," she added. His friendship with Everybody Loves Raymond star Doris Roberts stood out as one of his most long‑lasting bonds; they lived together until Roberts's death in 2016. She even directed his play Screen Test: Take One, based on his love for soap operas. Sartain first captured attention on local Tulsa television as Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi, he hosted the spooky The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting—before finding fame on Hee Haw in 1972. He stayed on the show for nearly two decades, playing everything from Orville the cook to rambling clerks. His film résumé is vast and varied: he debuted in Nashville (1975), portrayed Jerry 'The Big Bopper" Richardson in The Buddy Holly Story (1978), and dabbled in spaghetti Westerns. On TV, audiences loved his cameos on shows like Seinfeld, Frasier, and Friends. A key turning point came with his chilling depiction of a racist sheriff in Mississippi Burning (1988), a role he felt broke his comedy mold. 'Nobody likes to be typecast as a barefooted hillbilly… that kind of turned things around," he told the Tulsa World in 2017. Sartain's film career included nine collaborations with director Alan Rudolph (Choose Me, Songwriter, Love at Large, and more), as well as roles under Carl Reiner in The Jerk and All of Me, Francis Ford Coppola in The Outsiders, Stephen Frears in The Grifters, and Michael Mann in Ali. In the 1980s, he teamed up with Bill Byrge to play Chuck in Hey, Vern, It's Ernest!—a role born from local commercials and later featured in Ernest films like Ernest Goes to Camp, Ernest Saves Christmas, and Ernest Goes to Jail. He even took on Broadway, starring in Dracula beginning in 1977, and lent his voice to creating Leon Russell's album art in 1975. But by 2005, with Elizabethtown, Sartain quietly stepped away from acting. Survived by his wife Mary Jo, their three children – Sarah, Esther, and Ben- along with granddaughter Chloe and great‑grandson Teddy, Sartain leaves behind a legacy. The Beverly Hills Playhouse paid tribute to his memory on Instagram, writing: 'There was only ever one like this, and we are the richer for having his presence in our theatre. Rest in peace, Jack." May his soul rest in peace! First Published:
Perth Now
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Actor Gailard Sartain dead aged 78
Gailard Sartain has died aged 78. The actor, comedian and artist, best known for his roles in The Outsiders, The Buddy Holly Story and Fried Green Tomatoes, has been remembered as a 'beloved' and 'one-of-a-kind' performer after his passing on 17 June came to light on Saturday. (21.06.25) Tributes have poured in for the actor, with one fan saying online: 'I owe much of my warped sense of humour to watching his Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting in high school and college. 'His wacky comedy will always make me smile. What a legacy!' Gailard's death earlier this month was confirmed by his family and the Tulsa World, though no cause of death has been made public. His passing comes just months after that of his Ernest co-star Bill Byrge, who died in January aged 89. Among the other tributes to the star, one fan said on Facebook: 'Rest in peace, Gailard Sartain.' Another added: 'Heartbroken to hear of the passing of Gailard Sartain — beloved actor, comedian, and artist. Gailard brought warmth and heart to every role he played. A proud Okie and one-of-a-kind talent, he'll be dearly missed and always remembered. Stay gold, Gailard.' Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gailard began his entertainment career on the comedy and country music variety show Hee Haw, appearing for nearly two decades from the early 1970s. His breakout on screen led to more than 70 film and TV credits, including Mississippi Burning, The Grifters, Elizabethtown and Ali. His first credited film role was in 1978's The Buddy Holly Story, in which he portrayed musician Jerry 'The Big Bopper' Richardson opposite Gary Busey. He later appeared in The Jerk with Steve Martin and in Francis Ford Coppola's The Outsiders, where he shared scenes with C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe and Tom Cruise. Gailard also featured in the Jim Varney-led Ernest film franchise, including appearances with Bill Byrge, whose character Chuck was paired with Byrge's Bobby. The Church Studio in Tulsa, where Gailard would visit after filming his late-night show Mazeppa, also issued a statement on his passing. It said: 'We are saddened by the loss of Gailard Sartain, an extraordinary actor, artist, and comedian. 'Gailard's artwork is showcased on the cover of Leon Russell's 1975 album Will O' the Wisp. Our condolences are with Mary Jo, Gailard's wife and a committed volunteer at The Church Studio.' Misty Rowe, 75, who appeared alongside Gailard on Hee Haw Honeys, said: 'God bless you, Gailard Sartain. You were my brother on Hee Haw Honeys and my friend on Hee Haw for 19 years! I will never forget you.' After retiring from acting more than 20 years ago, Gailard was frequently asked about his long career. In a 2017 interview, he reflected: 'Not every single thing I did (made me happy.) 'But, for the most part, I'm happy about it.'
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Gailard Sartain was discovered for ‘Hee Haw', the actor said, 'Yeah, get out' to Jim Halsey in disbelief
Gailard Sartain , the prominent American actor who worked on various well-known projects and was known for his uncanny portrayal of characters from the South, passed away on June 19. The star was most well-known for his 20-year run on the variety sketch show 'Hee Haw'. How did Gailard Sartain get 'Hee Haw', one of his most well-known projects? In a previous interview with News 6, the actor had recalled his time on the hit variety show 'Hee Haw'. He talked about his success and even delved into the details of how he was discovered for the show that heavily influenced his success in the industry. During the interview, Gailard revealed that he was suddenly approached by Jim Halsey, one of the most prominent artist managers who was responsible for names like Roy Clarke at the time. He shared that 'he came down, said, 'How would you like to be on 'Hee Haw'?' Yeah, get out, you know next, and he said, 'No, I'm serious.'' Sartain shared that at the time, he had no idea who he was and had even proceeded to ask him about it. He had shared that after finding out about who Jim Halsey is, he nervously apologised and asked if he could start over, and the rest was history! The actor was a part of the sketch variety show for the entirety of its run. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo Not only that, but 'Hee Haw' managed to become one of Sartain's most beloved works on the screen. More on Gailard Sartain The beloved American actor amassed a successful career of more than 30 years and managed to work in some of the most beloved shows and films of his time. The actor starred in a total of three 'Ernest' movies alongside the one and only Jim Varney . Not only that, but throughout his career, the actor managed to work with some of the biggest names in the industry, like Francis Ford Coppola , Carl Reiner , Jon Avnet, and Alan Rudolph .
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Gailard Sartain, ‘Hee Haw' and ‘Fried Green Tomatoes' actor, passes away at 78
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Gailard Sartain, the beloved character actor known for his comedic flair on Hee Haw and memorable performances in films like Fried Green Tomatoes and Mississippi Burning, has passed away . He was 78. His death was announced Thursday night by The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Gailard Sartain was a regular visitor and his wife, Mary Jo, was a longtime volunteer. The cause of death has not been disclosed, though TMZ cited a 'long decline in health.' Big break in 'Hee Haw' Born on September 18, 1946, in Tulsa, Sartain's journey in entertainment began in the early 1970s with the creation of "The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting," the city's first late-night sketch comedy show. His big break came in 1972 when he joined the iconic variety show Hee Haw, where he appeared over 170 times during a nearly 20-year tenure. He became a fan favorite as Sheriff Orville P. Bullmoose. Final Destination Scene Turns Real? Ceiling COLLAPSES on Moviegoer Mid-Screening | WATCH A memorable film career Sartain's filmography spans decades. He portrayed Big Bopper in The Buddy Holly Story (1978), appeared in the Francis Ford Coppola-produced The Outsiders (1983), and held significant roles in The Big Easy, Blaze, and The Spitfire Grill. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트 29만원 이벤트 임플란트 더 알아보기 Undo In the Oscar-nominated Mississippi Burning (1988), he played the menacing Sheriff Ray Stuckey opposite Gene Hackman. One of his most recognized roles came in the comedy drama 'Fried Green Tomatoes' (1991). He played the memorable character Ed Couch, the distant husband to Kathy Bates' character, Evelyn in the comedy drama. A respected artist and illustrator In addition to his acting career, Sartain was also a respected artist and illustrator. He worked in New York City as an assistant to famed illustrator Paul Davis and contributed to national magazines. Sartain even designed the album cover for Leon Russell's 1975 record, "Will O' the Wisp." A double loss for 'Hee Haw' fans Sartain's passing marks a second recent loss for 'Hee Haw' fans. His co-star Lulu Roman, known for her comedic skits on the show, passed away in late April. Together, they represented a golden era of television variety shows that blended country charm with humor.
