LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Aaron Spelling, a onetime movie bit player who turned to television production and created a massive number of hit series, from the vintage "Charlie's Angels" and "Dynasty" to "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Melrose Place," died Friday, his publicist said. He was 83.

Spelling died at his home in Los Angeles after suffering a stroke on June 18, according to publicist Kevin Sasaki.

Spelling's other hit series included "Love Boat," "Fantasy Island," "Burke's Law," "The Mod Squad," "Starsky and Hutch," "T.J. Hooker," "Matt Houston," "Hart to Hart" and "Hotel." He kept his hand in 21st-century TV with series including "7th Heaven" and "Summerland."

He also produced more than 140 television movies. Among the most notable: "Death Sentence" (1974), Nick Nolte's first starring role; "The Boy in the Plastic Bubble" (1976), John Travolta's first dramatic role; "The Best Little Girl in the World" (1981), which starred Jennifer Jason Leigh.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Spelling provided series and movies exclusively for ABC and is credited for the network's rise to major status. Jokesters referred to it as "The Aaron Broadcasting Company."

Wow

:rip:

Oh man this is awful. I've watched his showsl all my life and some of my favorite shows were Aaron Spelling shows. TV has really lost a legend. R.I.P. Mr. Spelling. :(

Oh MAN, I LOVED Aaron's shows, I've watched a lot of his shows all my life. I LOVE Charlie's Angels, Hart to Hart, etc. He was one hell of a man, that's for sure.

:rip:

Aw, how sad. :(

Long live my two favorite Aaron Spelling creations: "7th Heaven" AND the made-for-TV psycho-thriller movie, "Don't Go to Sleep." (http://www.hysteria-lives.co.uk/hysterialives/Hysteria/dont_go_to_sleep.html)

:rip:

Oh MAN, I LOVED Aaron's shows, I've watched a lot of his shows all my life. I LOVE Charlie's Angels, Hart to Hart, etc. He was one hell of a man, that's for sure.

:rip:

Ah yes, Hart to hart. Who doesn't remember the begining of that!

This is my boss, Jonathan Hart - a self-made millionaire. He's quite a guy. This is Mrs. H. She's gorgeous. She's one lady who knows how to take care of herself. By the way, my name is Max. I take care of *both* of them, which ain't easy; 'cause when they met... it was *murder*!

He was truly a legend. :( RIP.

WOW, that is too bad. He's one of those guys you just expect to live on forever and ever. R.I.P. Mr. Spelling!! :(

oh wow...RIP :rip:

:rip: :(

This is very sad. I liked watching his shows, especially Beverly Hills 90210.

How sad. Such an accomplished and talented man.

Holy crap :( :rip: RIP Aaron

He was trully a legend! :(

Rest in Peace, Mr. Spelling. :rip:

Just saw this on Yahoo. How incredibly sad. That man brought so much happiness with all the TV shows he produced. What a genius. He will surely be missed. :rip:

He brought us some great entertainment. RIP Mr. Spelling.

It's very sad news. RIP Mr Spelling.

Wow, that's really sad. :( But he sure accomplished A LOT in his lifetime. R.I.P. :rip:

Nooo, I loved him.....he made one of my favorite shows! :(

RIP :rip:

Back in the day, I was obsessed with Dynasty. God, that show was great. Aaron Spelling really knew what people wanted to see.

Yeah, he was an icon. He was a busy guy and worked until the end, I believe. I love watching old episodes of the 70's series, Charlie's Angels. RIP.

R.I.P to one to one of the greatest minds in television, he gave us some very good television.

:rip: Aaron Spelling shows rock. This is so sad. :(

That's really unexpected and sad :( :rip: Mr. Spelling

SitcomsOnline.com Remembers Aaron Spelling:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2006/06/sitcomsonline-remembers-tv-legend.html

Whether you liked his shows or not, Aaron Spelling will always be one of the big names in the history of Television.
His string of hit shows will be difficult to match by anyone.