BREAKING NEWS Gailard Sartain dead at 78: HeeHaw star passes away after long health battle
Actor and comedian Gailard Sartain has died at the age of 78.
The cherished Southern actor was known for his memorable roles in Hee Haw, Mississippi Burning, and Fried Green Tomatoes.
The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma shared the news on Facebook, paying tribute to the late actor with a heartfelt message.
'We are saddened by the loss of Gailard Sartain, an extraordinary actor, artist, and comedian,' the post read.
'His late night visits in the 1970s to the studio after filming Mazeppa are fondly remembered. 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.'
Teresa Knox, CEO of The Church Studio, confirmed to TMZ that Sartain passed away on Tuesday following a prolonged decline in health.
At this time, no official cause of death has been disclosed.
Sartain joined the cast of Hee Haw in 1972, bringing to life the character of Sheriff Orville P. Bullmoose.
A fixture on the show's sketches, he remained a regular until the series wrapped up in 1992.
His career spanned decades and genres.
While best known for his comedic work on Hee Haw and several Ernest films, Sartain also showcased his dramatic talents in notable movies like Mississippi Burning and The Outsiders.
The latter, adapted from S.E. Hinton's novel, explored the rivalry between teenage gangs in 1960s Tulsa — Sartain's hometown.
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