Latest news with #Sartain
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:
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.
UPI
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Gailard Sartain, actor known for 'Hee Haw,' dies at 78
Gailard Sartain, an actor who starred in "Hee Haw" and "Fried Green Tomatoes," died Tuesday. He was 78. Photo by Brett Sayles/ Pexels June 20 (UPI) -- Gailard Sartain, an actor who starred in Hee Haw and Fried Green Tomatoes, died Tuesday. He was 78. The Church Studio, an Oklahoma recording studio where Sartain's wife, Mary Jo, volunteers, announced his death Friday. Deadline said Sartain was battling an unspecified illness, but a specific cause of death was not shared. "I knew he wasn't in good health and hadn't been for a while," fellow Hee Haw alum Victoria Hallman told TMZ. "We always fool ourselves that people will hang on." In a tribute on Instagram, Church Studio said Sartain was "an extraordinary actor, artist and comedian." He began working on the variety show Hee Haw in 1972, and his other credits include Texas Ranger, Nashville, The Buddy Holly Story, The Outsiders, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Big Easy and The Hollywood Knights. Notable deaths of 2025 Anne Burrell Anne Burrell arrives on the red carpet at the City Harvest "Red Supper Club" Fundraising Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on April 26, 2022 in New York City. Burrell Anne Burrell arrives on the red carpet at the City Harvest "Red Supper Club" Fundraising Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on April 26, 2022 in New York City. Burrell died June 17. No cause of death was given. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
Metro
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Hee Haw actor Gailard Sartain 'dies aged 78' weeks after co-star
Actor Gailard Sartain, best known for roles in classic Hollywood films including The Outsiders and Fried Green Tomatoes, has died at the age of 78. Oklahoma native Sartain is also known for starring in Mississippi Burning in 1988, The Replacements in 2000, and 1978's The Buddy Holly Story in his early career. He also appeared in a memorable episode of The Simpsons in 1997 – The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase – as the voice of Big Daddy, Teresa Knox, CEO of The Church Studio recording studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, confirmed the news to TMZ. The US outlet report Gailard passed away Tuesday after a long decline in health. No official cause of death has been revealed. The news comes after Lulu Roman, Sartain's Hee Haw co-star, died in April. The comedy-music show Hee Haw aired from 1969 to 1993, and Sartain appeared as Willie Billie Honey in the late 70s. This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates. If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. For more stories like this, check our entertainment page. Follow Entertainment on Twitter and Facebook for the latest celeb and entertainment updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Fat Joe sued for $20,000,000 over claims of underage sex with minors MORE: Lizzo reveals the secret to her major weight loss MORE: Netflix star Sara Burack, 40, killed in hit-and-run as police hunt driver
