“Gailard Sartain appeared in many Hollywood classics over his career (Picture: Jerry Fitzgerald /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images) Hee Haw 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”, — write: metro.co.uk
Gailard Sartain appeared in many Hollywood classics over his career (Picture: Jerry Fitzgerald /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images) Hee Haw 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 Sartain died on Tuesday after a long decline in health. No official cause of death has been revealed.
The Church Studio also shared a statement on Facebook, which read: ‘We are saddened by the loss of Gailard Sartain, an extraordinary actor, artist, and comedian.
The Oklahoma-born actor died at the age of 78 (Picture: MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock) ‘His late night visits in the 1970s to the studio after filming Mazeppa are fondly remembered.’
They added: ‘Our condolences are with Mary Jo, Gailard’s wife and a committed volunteer at The Church Studio.’
Victoria Hallman, who played Miss Honeydew on Hee Haw, told TMZ he was like a big brother and made everyone laugh so much on set they were forced to re-do takes.
‘I knew he wasn’t in good health and hadn’t been for a while. We always fool ourselves that people will hang on. I wasn’t expecting to find out in the wee hours of the morning,’ she said.
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 a number of recurring characters including Maynard, the bumbling store assistant, and Orville, the cook at Lulu’s Truck Stop.
He originally turned down one season of Hee Haw as he wasn’t sure it was the ‘right move’, according to local outlet Tulsa World, but he would go on to star in 20 seasons.
Sartain appeared in Hee Haw in the 70s for 20 seasons (Picture: CBS) Gailard’s first TV role was as Dr Mazeppa Pompazoidi on the late night sketch show Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting, which aired in Oklahoma and got him spotted by an agent.
Alongside his screen credits, Sartain was also a talented illustrator, having designed record covers including Leon Russell’s Will O’ the Wisp.
Over 70 TV and films later, Sartain’s final credit was in Elizabethtown, a 2005 film also starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst, which he adored making.
Tulsa World report he once said: ‘I retired after that picture because I knew it was not going to ever get any better than that… I just had a wonderful experience, and… I just wanted the last one to be a good memory.’
Tributes have poured in on social media, with The Outsiders House Museum in Tulsa writing on X: ‘We’re heartbroken to hear of the passing of Gailard Sartain — beloved actor, comedian, and artist. Seen here as Jerry in The Outsiders, Gailard brought warmth and heart to every role he played.’
Fan Will Sloan said: ‘RIP Gailard Sartain, one of the great character actors.’
@WolfsKumite said: ‘Between Chuck in the Ernest films, and Sgt. Bimbeau from Hollywood Knights, this guy provided so many laughs!! Rest in peace Gailard Sartain.’
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