Aaron Spelling, born on April 22, 1923, in Dallas, Texas, was a legendary American television and film producer who profoundly shaped the landscape of popular television during the latter half of the 20th century. Known for his prolific output, Spelling was responsible for creating and producing some of the most iconic and successful television series of all time, including Charlie’s Angels, The Love Boat, Dynasty, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Melrose Place. With a career that spanned over four decades, Spelling’s name became synonymous with glossy, escapist entertainment, and his television empire left an indelible mark on American culture.
Early Life and Military Service
Aaron Spelling was the son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, Pearl and David Spelling, who moved to Dallas before he was born. He grew up in a working-class neighborhood, experiencing a tough childhood, marked by anti-Semitic bullying and other hardships. At the age of eight, Spelling experienced a nervous breakdown and spent a year bedridden. During this time, he immersed himself in books and the world of storytelling, which would later fuel his desire to work in the entertainment industry.
After graduating from high school, Spelling attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he developed a love for theater and writing. However, his studies were interrupted by World War II. Spelling enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps and served in Europe. After his military service, he returned to Southern Methodist University, where he earned a degree in journalism in 1949. With a diploma in hand, Spelling set his sights on Hollywood, eager to break into the entertainment industry.
Early Career in Hollywood
Aaron Spelling’s early career in Hollywood was a slow climb. He initially worked as an actor, appearing in a few minor television and film roles during the 1950s, including a part in I Led Three Lives. However, Spelling’s true talent lay behind the camera. Determined to make his mark as a writer and producer, Spelling began writing scripts for television shows. His first major writing credit came in 1954, when he sold a script to the television anthology series Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre.
Over the next several years, Spelling continued to build a reputation as a writer, penning scripts for popular shows like Gunsmoke, Dragnet, and Wagon Train. His work gained the attention of notable television executives, leading to opportunities to write for successful series. During this time, Spelling also began to develop a keen understanding of the television industry’s production side, learning how to create content that appealed to broad audiences.
Spelling’s big break came when he joined forces with television executive Dick Powell at Four Star Television, where he worked as a producer on hit series like Zane Grey Theater. His talent for crafting compelling narratives and his ability to churn out television scripts quickly made him a key player in Powell’s production company. Spelling honed his skills as a producer, and his work on shows like Burke’s Law and The Lloyd Bridges Show garnered critical and commercial success, setting the stage for his future dominance in television.
The Birth of Spelling-Goldberg Productions
In 1969, Aaron Spelling partnered with producer Leonard Goldberg to form Spelling-Goldberg Productions, a company that would go on to dominate television throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. Together, they produced a string of hit shows that helped redefine prime-time television. Their first major success was The Mod Squad (1968–1973), a groundbreaking drama about a trio of young undercover cops who were tasked with taking down criminals while dealing with their own personal struggles. The show’s focus on youth culture, counterculture themes, and social issues resonated with viewers, making it one of the most influential shows of the era.
The success of The Mod Squad solidified Spelling’s reputation as a television innovator, and he and Goldberg quickly followed it up with several other hit series. Among their most iconic creations was Charlie’s Angels (1976–1981), a groundbreaking show that featured three female detectives working for a mysterious boss named Charlie. The show, starring Farrah Fawcett, Kate Jackson, and Jaclyn Smith, became a cultural phenomenon, praised for its mix of action, glamour, and female empowerment. While critics often dismissed it as “jiggle TV” due to its emphasis on the actresses’ physical appearances, Charlie’s Angels was an undeniable ratings juggernaut that pushed Spelling to the forefront of American entertainment.
Other hit shows produced by Spelling-Goldberg Productions included S.W.A.T. (1975–1976) and Starsky & Hutch (1975–1979), both of which capitalized on the growing popularity of crime dramas. Spelling’s ability to blend action, drama, and star power helped cement his reputation as a master of escapist television. His shows often featured good-looking actors, thrilling plotlines, and an undercurrent of glamour, a formula that appealed to a wide audience.
Founding Aaron Spelling Productions
After ending his partnership with Leonard Goldberg in the late 1970s, Aaron Spelling launched his own production company, Aaron Spelling Productions, and took full control of his creative output. This marked the beginning of an era in which Spelling would produce some of the most memorable and commercially successful shows in television history.
In 1977, Spelling produced The Love Boat, a romantic comedy anthology series set aboard a luxury cruise ship. The show became an instant hit, running for nine seasons and establishing itself as a Saturday night staple. The format, which featured different guest stars in each episode, allowed for a variety of storylines, from lighthearted romances to more serious fare. The success of The Love Boat highlighted Spelling’s ability to create feel-good television that allowed audiences to escape their everyday lives.
While The Love Boat catered to viewers’ desire for light entertainment, Spelling’s next major project, Dynasty (1981–1989), delivered high drama and opulence. Dynasty was Spelling’s answer to CBS’s hit series Dallas and followed the lives of the wealthy Carrington family as they navigated power struggles, infidelity, and corporate intrigue. Starring John Forsythe, Joan Collins, and Linda Evans, Dynasty became synonymous with 1980s excess, with its lavish settings, extravagant wardrobes, and over-the-top storylines. The show was a massive ratings success and helped define the soap opera genre for prime-time television.
Spelling’s other notable productions from this period included Fantasy Island (1977–1984), a show about a magical island where guests could live out their fantasies; Hart to Hart (1979–1984), a detective series starring Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers; and T.J. Hooker (1982–1986), a crime drama led by William Shatner.
Reinventing Teen Drama: Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place
In the 1990s, Aaron Spelling shifted his focus to creating shows that catered to younger audiences. His biggest hit during this era was Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000), a teen drama that followed a group of wealthy high school students in Beverly Hills. The show, created by Darren Star and produced by Spelling, became a cultural touchstone for Generation X. Beverly Hills, 90210 tackled issues such as relationships, drug use, and family dynamics, and it helped launch the careers of its young cast, including Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, and Luke Perry.
The success of Beverly Hills, 90210 led to several spin-offs and companion shows, the most notable being Melrose Place(1992–1999), which focused on a group of young adults living in an apartment complex in Los Angeles. Melrose Place, known for its salacious storylines and shocking twists, was a ratings hit and helped define the nighttime soap genre for a new generation.
Aaron Spelling also produced other youth-oriented shows during this period, including 7th Heaven (1996–2007), a family drama about a minister, his wife, and their seven children. 7th Heaven became the longest-running family drama in television history, further showcasing Spelling’s ability to tap into the emotional core of his audience.
Personal Life and Legacy
Aaron Spelling’s personal life was as fascinating as the shows he produced. He married actress Carolyn Jones in 1953, though the couple divorced in 1964. In 1968, he married Candy Gene, and together they had two children: actress Tori Spelling and actor Randy Spelling. His relationship with Tori became a topic of public interest, especially following her rise to fame on Beverly Hills, 90210.
Spelling’s vast fortune allowed him to live in the famous “Spelling Manor,” a 56,000-square-foot mansion in Los Angeles that became the largest home in California. The estate was a symbol of his success and the wealth he amassed during his decades in Hollywood.
Spelling’s work ethic was legendary, and he continued producing television series well into the 2000s. His career achievements were recognized with numerous accolades, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, several Emmy Awards, and induction into the Television Hall of Fame.
Aaron Spelling passed away on June 23, 2006, at the age of 83, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy. His ability to create television that resonated with millions of viewers made him one of the most prolific producers in television history, and his