Actor Gailard Sartain, best known for roles in classic Hollywood films including The Outsiders and Fried Green Tomatoes, has died at the age of 78.
Oklahoma native Sartain is also known for starring in Mississippi Burning in 1988, The Replacements in 2000, and 1978’s The Buddy Holly Story in his early career.
He also appeared in a memorable episode of The Simpsons in 1997 – The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase – as the voice of Big Daddy,
Teresa Knox, CEO of The Church Studio recording studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, confirmed the news to TMZ.
The US outlet report Sartain died on Tuesday after a long decline in health. No official cause of death has been revealed.
Victoria Hallman, who played Miss Honeydew on Hee Haw, told TMZ he was like a big brother and made everyone laugh so much on set they were forced to re-do takes.
‘I knew he wasn’t in good health and hadn’t been for a while. We always fool ourselves that people will hang on. I wasn’t expecting to find out in the wee hours of the morning,’ she said.
The news comes after Lulu Roman, Sartain’s Hee Haw co-star, died in April.
The comedy-music show Hee Haw aired from 1969 to 1993, and Sartain appeared as Willie Billie Honey in the 70s.
Gailard’s first TV role was as Dr Mazeppa Pompazoidi on the late night sketch show Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting, which aired in Oklahoma.
After over 70 TV and films later, Sartain’s final credit was in Elizabethtown, a 2005 film also starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst.
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