Remembering Aaron Spelling
Spelling’s first big success came in the 1960s with series like “Naked City” and “The Mod Squad,” but it was in the 1970s and ’80s—first through his partnership with Leonard Goldberg and later under his own banner, Spelling Television—that he truly reshaped prime‑time TV
Remembering Aaron Spelling
Aaron Spelling was born Aaron Levy on April 22, 1923, in Dallas, Texas. The son of Jewish immigrants, he discovered a love of storytelling early on and served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war he studied journalism at Southern Methodist University and broke into Hollywood as a writer before shifting his focus to television production.
Spelling’s first big success came in the 1960s with series like “Naked City” and “The Mod Squad,” but it was in the 1970s and ’80s—first through his partnership with Leonard Goldberg and later under his own banner, Spelling Television—that he truly reshaped prime‑time TV. He churned out hit after hit: “Charlie’s Angels,” “Hart to Hart,” “Dynasty,” and “T.J. Hooker” became cultural touchstones, thanks to their glamorous settings, ensemble casts and soap‑opera twists. In the 1990s and early 2000s he introduced new generations to his signature style with “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Melrose Place,” “7th Heaven” and “Charmed,” proving remarkably adept at reading audience tastes decade after decade.
By the time of his death, Spelling had produced more than 200 television series and was credited with over 1,200 hours of prime‑time programming—making him one of the most prolific and influential figures in American entertainment history. He passed away on June 23, 2006, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy of glossy escapism, memorable characters and an enduring imprint on the landscape of television.
Watch: Aaron Spelling on “Beverly Hills 90210”
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