Beloved character actor Gailard Sartain, known for his memorable roles in “Hee Haw,” “The Buddy Holly Story,” and “Fried Green Tomatoes,” died Tuesday, June 17, at age 78 following a prolonged decline in health. Teresa Knox, CEO of The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, confirmed the actor’s passing but no official cause of death has been disclosed.
Born in Tulsa on September 18, 1946, Sartain began his entertainment career in his hometown, initially working as a cameraman at a local television station. His breakthrough came in the early 1970s when he created and hosted “The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting,” a late-night comedy show that aired on KOTV in Tulsa. Dressed in wizard garb, Sartain introduced B-movies and performed comedy skits as the eccentric character Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi, quickly becoming a local cult favorite.
The late-night show featured another Tulsa native, Gary Busey, who would later reunite with Sartain in “The Buddy Holly Story.” A talent scout discovered Sartain through his local television work and recruited him in 1972 to join the cast of “Hee Haw,” the country music variety show that became his most recognizable platform.
Sartain remained a regular on “Hee Haw” for nearly 20 seasons, appearing in more than 170 episodes until the show’s cancellation in 1992. On the syndicated series, he portrayed various characters including Sheriff Orville P. Bullmoose, Maynard in the general store sketches, and Orville in Lulu’s truck stop segments. The show, hosted by Roy Clark and Buck Owens, combined country music performances with comedy sketches featuring a colorful cast of down-home characters.
Victoria Hallman, who played Miss Honeydew on “Hee Haw,” remembered Sartain as being like a big brother to her and noted that he made everyone on set laugh so hard they often had to redo takes. She indicated that she knew he had not been in good health for some time and expressed that people always hope others will hang on longer than expected.
Sartain’s film career began with an uncredited role in Robert Altman’s 1975 classic “Nashville.” His first credited movie role came in 1978 when he portrayed Jiles Perry Richardson Jr., known as “The Big Bopper,” in “The Buddy Holly Story” alongside Gary Busey, who earned an Oscar nomination for the title role. This performance launched a prolific film career that spanned more than 60 credits.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Sartain appeared in numerous high-profile films including “The Outsiders,” “Mississippi Burning,” “The Big Easy,” “The Grifters,” “Fried Green Tomatoes,” and “Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot.” He also had memorable roles in three films from the Ernest comedy franchise starring Jim Varney and appeared in the television series “Hey Vern, It’s Ernest!” His final screen role was as Charles Dean in Cameron Crowe’s 2005 romantic comedy “Elizabethtown.”
Beyond acting, Sartain was also an accomplished visual artist and illustrator. He created magazine illustrations and album covers throughout his career, with his artwork notably featured on the cover of fellow Oklahoman Leon Russell’s 1975 album “Will O’ the Wisp.” He also spent time in New York City working as an assistant to illustrator Paul Davis, according to multiple reports.
His television appearances extended beyond “Hee Haw” to include variety shows such as “Cher” and “Shields and Yarnell” in the 1970s. He also made guest appearances on series including “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Chicago Hope,” “The Simpsons,” “The Dukes of Hazzard,” and “King of the Hill.”
The Church Studio, where Sartain’s wife Mary Jo volunteers, remembered him as “an extraordinary actor, artist, and comedian.” The studio noted his late-night visits in the 1970s after filming his Mazeppa character and highlighted his artistic contribution to Leon Russell’s album cover. Misty Rowe, Sartain’s longtime “Hee Haw” co-star, paid tribute on social media, expressing that he was like a brother to her on “Hee Haw Honeys” and remained a friend throughout their 19 years working together on “Hee Haw.”
Sartain’s death marks the second loss for “Hee Haw” fans in recent months, following the death of comedic actor Lulu Roman in late April. The Outsiders House Museum called Sartain “a proud Okie and one-of-a-kind talent,” adding that he would be dearly missed and always remembered. He is survived by his wife Mary Jo.
