Latest news with #GailardSartain
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.
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.'
Fox News
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Fox News Entertainment Newsletter: Food Network star dead at 55, Jelly Roll inspires Christian singer
Welcome to the Fox News Entertainment Newsletter. TOP 3: -Anne Burrell, Food Network star, dead at 55 -Jelly Roll's wild moment inspired Christian singer Brandon Lake to set boundaries -Carly Simon defends Sabrina Carpenter's controversial album cover, says it's not 'outrageous' FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH - Heather Graham's secrets to fountain of youth as she admits she's happier than ever in her 50s. MOURNING A TALENT - 'Hee Haw' actor Gailard Sartain dead at 81. SPILLING SECRETS - Diddy's alleged 'drug mule' takes the stand with immunity deal; trial reveals dark secrets. SUSSEX EMPIRE - Meghan Markle's new As Ever product launch is driven by desire for 'fame and fortune': experts. COURTROOM CURVEBALL - Blake Lively's request to protect Taylor Swift texts in Justin Baldoni legal battle was shut down by judge. 'FOREVER' GIFT - Bobby Flay remembers Anne Burrell's 'greatest gift' after her sudden death. SOAKING UP THE SUN - Olivia Wilde shows off trim figure in beaded string bikini during Italian getaway. LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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 .
Forbes
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Gailard Sartain, ‘Hee Haw' Star, Dies At 81
Los Angeles, CA - 1991: Gailard Sartain promotional photo for the ABC tv series 'Davis Rules', ... More episode 'The Principle', the original unaired pilot. (Photo by Sharon M Beard /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images) Gailard Sartain, the Southern character actor and comedian who appeared on the long-running country western-themed variety hour Hee Haw, died Tuesday, June 17 following a long illness. He was 81. His death was announced on Facebook by The Church Studio, a recording studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma where Sartain's wife Mary Jo volunteers. Born September 18, 1943 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gailard Sartain was a successful illustrator who broke into show business through the creation of a late-night local comedy program he hosted in Tulsa entitled The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting. After being discovered by a talent scout, Sartain was hired in 1972 as a regular on Hee Haw, which was inspired by Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. A victim of the infamous "rural purge," CBS canceled Hee Haw in 1971 (along with sitcoms The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres and Mayberry R.F.D.). But it immediately found a new home in first-run syndication and remained on the air until 1993. Sartain was a cast member for 19 seasons. Sartain also served as a regular on the short-lived variety series Cher from 1975 to 1976, Keep on Truckin' in 1975, and Shields and Yarnell in 1978. He made his film debut with an uncredited cameo in Nashville in 1975, and was a larger presence in The Buddy Holly Story as 'Big Bopper' in 1978 and as B.B. Muldoon in Roadie in 1980. (Top L-R) Actors Meat Loaf and Art Carney (Bottom L-R) Actor Gailard Sartain and actress Kaki Hunter ... More on set of the United Artist movie "Roadie" in 1980. (Photo by Michael) Other films on Sartain's resume included Mississippi Burning, The Outsiders, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Grifters, The Replacements and The Patriot. He was also known for his roles in three of the Ernest P. Worrell films starring Jim Varney, and the 13-episode Hey Vern, It's Ernest! television series in 1988. Sartain's final film role was in Cameron Crowe's Elizabethtown in 2005.
