Frank Peppiatt, co-creator of Hee Haw and one of television’s top variety show producers during the 1960s and ’70s, has died. Peppiatt passed away Wednesday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, after battling bladder cancer, his family tells the La Times. He was 85. The Canadian-born Peppiatt and his writing partner and producer John Aylesworth were responsible for several memorable projects, including Perry Como’s Kraft Music Hall, The Judy Garland Show, The ABC Comedy Hour and the teen dance show Hullabaloo. But their greatest success came with Hee Haw. The CBS show, developed as a country version of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, was co-hosted by Roy Clark and Buck Owens and showcased top country stars including Loretta Lynn, George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Hee Haw initially was scheduled as a summer replacement in 1969 for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, but it surged to the top of the ratings and was...
- 11/9/2012
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Canadian television writer, producer and actor John Aylesworth has died of pneumonia, aged 81.
Aylesworth passed away in Rancho Mirage, California on 28 July.
He performed on radio in his native Toronto as a child, and went on to find success on U.S. television.
Aylesworth was perhaps best known for co-creating 1970s American country music television variety show Hee Haw with Frank Peppiatt and Bernie Brillstein. The programme featured famous guests in country, gospel and bluegrass music, including Johnny Cash and Conway Twitty.
In addition, he served as a writer or producer on TV shows such as Your Hit Parade, The Kraft Music Hall, The Judy Garland Show and The Jonathan Winters Show.
He was also among the writers who shared an Emmy nomination for The Julie Andrews Hour in 1973 and The Sonny and Cher Show in 1976.
Aylesworth is survived by his fourth wife, Anita, two children from his first marriage, three from his second marriage, and one grandson.
Aylesworth passed away in Rancho Mirage, California on 28 July.
He performed on radio in his native Toronto as a child, and went on to find success on U.S. television.
Aylesworth was perhaps best known for co-creating 1970s American country music television variety show Hee Haw with Frank Peppiatt and Bernie Brillstein. The programme featured famous guests in country, gospel and bluegrass music, including Johnny Cash and Conway Twitty.
In addition, he served as a writer or producer on TV shows such as Your Hit Parade, The Kraft Music Hall, The Judy Garland Show and The Jonathan Winters Show.
He was also among the writers who shared an Emmy nomination for The Julie Andrews Hour in 1973 and The Sonny and Cher Show in 1976.
Aylesworth is survived by his fourth wife, Anita, two children from his first marriage, three from his second marriage, and one grandson.
- 8/5/2010
- WENN
John Aylesworth, the creator of Hee Haw, has died at the age of 81. The TV writer and producer passed away on Wednesday of complications of pneumonia, reports the Los Angeles Times. Aylesworth spent his final hours at Eisenhower Medical Centre in Rancho Mirage, according to his wife Anita Rufus. He created the variety show Hee Haw in 1969 for CBS. The Canadian-born producer also worked as a writer and performer on Canadian (more)...
- 8/2/2010
- by By Mike Moody
- Digital Spy
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