Beloved “Hee Haw” Star Gailard Sartain Dies At Age 78

Actor, Comedian, And Artist Gailard Sartain Died On Tuesday, June 17

Hee Haw fans are mourning the loss of Gailard Sartain, who recently passed away at the age of 78.

Sartain was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on September 18, 1946. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Tulsa and moved to New York City after graduation. Upon his arrival, he started working as an assistant for award-winning illustrator Paul Davis.

Sartain later returned to Tulsa, where he worked as a cameraman for the local news station KOTV. During his time with the station, he created The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting, a late-night comedy show. Sartain portrayed the character Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi during the program’s three-year run.

That role caught the attention of a talent scout, who called on Sartain to star in the country music-themed variety show, Hee Haw. Sartain started appearing on Hee Haw in 1972 and became a regular cast member, remaining on the show for 20 seasons.

Sartain also had regular roles on the TV shows Shields and Yarnell and Cher. He starred in movies too, including Mississippi Burning, The Outsiders, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Patriot, and The Replacements.

He also had an uncredited role in Robert Altman’s 1975 film Nashville, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Sartain had the honor of playing J.P. Richardson, AKA “The Big Bopper,” in the 1978 biopic The Buddy Holly Story. His final film appearance came in 2005, when he played Charles Dean in Elizabethtown.

In addition to his acting career, Sartain was also an accomplished illustrator. His illustrations were published in magazines and used on album covers, including Leon Russell’s Gold-certified album Will O’ the Wisp.

Remembering Sartain Following His Death…

The Church Studio, a recording studio in Sartain’s hometown of Tulsa, broke the news about his death. He passed away on Tuesday, June 17.

“We are saddened by the loss of Gailard Sartain, an extraordinary actor, artist, and comedian,” the studio announced. “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.”

The Church Studio’s CEO, Teresa Knox, told TMZ that Sartain died “after a long decline in health,” but she did not provide an official cause. TMZ also spoke to Victoria Hallman, who played Miss Honeydew alongside Sartain on Hee Haw.

Hallman said Sartain was like a brother to her. She fondly recalled how he would make his co-stars laugh so hard, they’d have to do more takes while filming.