History Creator / AaronSpelling

The Spelling Entertainment Group library was split due to the Viacom breakup of 2006. Its film library, not only including the Republic Pictures library but also including other films once distributed by National Telefilm Associates (except for the pre-1949 [[Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios 20th Century Fox]] library, which NTA only had a now-expired license to syndicate on TV and is now owned by Creator/{{Disney}}) and films inherited from Taft Entertainment, lies with Creator/{{Paramount}} through its in-name-only unit Melange Pictures. Creator/{{CBS}} Studios, previously known as CBS Paramount Television and CBS Television Studios, owns the Spelling Entertainment Group TV library under another in-name-only unit, Spelling Television (barring any produced with Columbia Pictures Television- those are now with Creator/SonyPicturesTelevision), which not only includes Spelling's own productions but also acquired properties like the QM Productions library, the pre-1973 ABC and NBC libraries (much of which is TV syndication rights only, with some exceptions like ''Series/{{Bonanza}}'', which CBS holds lock, stock and barrel except for the copyright, which remains with original production company NBC except for a handful of episodes that fell into the public domain), and other shows inherited from Taft Entertainment. As of 2019, the content library of Spelling Entertainment Group has been re-united with the merger of Viacom and CBS into the present-day Creator/ParamountGlobal.

US home video rights to the former Spelling Entertainment Group library have been fractured since 2006. Most of the film library was from 2006-12 distributed on US home video by Creator/{{Lionsgate}} under a new deal that succeeded one that lasted from 1998-2005 originally signed by Artisan Entertainment, which merged with Lionsgate in 2004. Since 2012, the film library has been released on home video by Olive Films, except for ''Film/ItsAWonderfulLife'' which Paramount handles in-house. Home video rights to the TV library are nominally held by CBS Home Entertainment with distribution by Paramount. However, some of the TV titles in the Spelling library have been instead released manufactured-on-demand by CBS without Paramount's involvement or licensed out to Canadian-based home video distributor Visual Entertainment Inc. (in the latter case, examples include ''Series/BarnabyJones'' and ''Series/TheModSquad'', though initial releases of both shows came from CBS/Paramount).

The Spelling Entertainment Group library was split due to the Viacom breakup of 2006. Its film library, not only including the Republic Pictures library but also including other films once distributed by National Telefilm Associates (except for the pre-1949 [[Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios 20th Century Fox]] library, which NTA only had a now-expired license to syndicate on TV and is now owned by Creator/{{Disney}}) and films inherited from Taft Entertainment, lies with Creator/{{Paramount}} through its in-name only unit Melange Pictures. Creator/{{CBS}} Studios, previously known as CBS Paramount Television and CBS Television Studios, owns the Spelling Entertainment Group TV library (barring any produced with Columbia Pictures Television- those are now with Creator/SonyPicturesTelevision), which not only includes Spelling's own productions but also acquired properties like the QM Productions library, the pre-1973 ABC and NBC libraries (much of which is TV syndication rights only, with some exceptions like ''Series/{{Bonanza}}'', which CBS holds lock, stock and barrel except for the copyright, which remains with original production company NBC except for a handful of episodes that fell into the public domain), and other shows inherited from Taft Entertainment. As of 2019, the content library of Spelling Entertainment Group has been re-united with the merger of Viacom and CBS into the present-day Creator/ParamountGlobal.

The Spelling Entertainment Group library was split due to the Viacom breakup of 2006. Its film library, including the Republic Pictures library but also including other films once distributed by National Telefilm Associates (except for the pre-1949 [[Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios 20th Century Fox]] library, which NTA only had a now-expired license to syndicate on TV and is now owned by Creator/{{Disney}}) and films inherited from Taft Entertainment, lies with Creator/{{Paramount}} through its in-name only unit Melange Pictures. Creator/{{CBS}} Studios, previously known as CBS Paramount Television and CBS Television Studios, owns the Spelling Entertainment Group TV library (barring any produced with Columbia Pictures Television- those are now with Creator/SonyPicturesTelevision), which not only includes Spelling's own productions but also acquired properties like the QM Productions library, the pre-1973 ABC and NBC libraries (much of which is TV syndication rights only, with some exceptions like ''Series/{{Bonanza}}'', which CBS holds lock, stock and barrel except for the copyright, which remains with original production company NBC except for a handful of episodes that fell into the public domain), and other shows inherited from Taft Entertainment. As of 2019, the content library of Spelling Entertainment Group has been re-united with the merger of Viacom and CBS into the present-day Creator/ParamountGlobal.

The Spelling Entertainment Group library was split due to the Viacom breakup of 2006. Its film library, including the Republic Pictures library but also including other films once distributed by National Telefilm Associates (except for the pre-1949 [[Creator/TwentiethCenturyStudios 20th Century Fox]] library, which NTA only had a now-expired license to syndicate on TV and is now owned by Creator/{{Disney}}) and films inherited from Taft Entertainment, lies with Creator/{{Paramount}} through its in-name only unit Melange Pictures. Creator/{{CBS}} Studios, previously known as CBS Paramount Television and CBS Television Studios, owns the Spelling Entertainment Group TV library (barring any produced with Columbia Pictures Television- those are now with Creator/SonyPicturesTelevision), which not only includes Spelling's own productions but also acquired properties like the QM Productions library, the pre-1973 ABC and NBC libraries (much of which is TV syndication rights only, with some exceptions like ''Series/{{Bonanza}}'', which CBS holds lock, stock and barrel except for the copyright, which remains with original production company NBC except for a handful of episodes that fell into the public domain), and other shows inherited from Taft Entertainment. As of 2019, the content library of Spelling Entertainment Group has been re-united with the merger of Viacom and CBS into the present-day Paramount Global.

In 1969, Spelling created '''Spelling Television''', originally under the name ''Aaron Spelling Productions''. Three years later, he formed another co-production company with Leonard Goldberg. Spelling took his own company public in 1986 as '''Spelling Entertainment''', later buying Worldvision Enterprises from Taft/Great American Broadcasting (including the remnants of Taft International Pictures and predecessor Sunn Classic Pictures, and the Quinn Martin library), and George A. Romero's Laurel Entertainment. Spelling continued expanding his entertainment holdings, buying Creator/RepublicPictures in 1994 – by the time his company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Creator/{{Viacom}} (through then-owned Blockbuster Video), it had five main operating units: Republic Pictures served as the home video arm and copyright holder for all the feature films in the Spelling library, TV production companies Spelling Television and Big Ticket Television, TV syndication distributor Worldvision Enterprises, and film production company Spelling Films.

In 1999, Spelling was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most prolific producer of television drama. According to Guinness' calculations, by that time Spelling had produced 3,842 hours of television -- enough to fill about 3½ years of prime time seven nights a week without any reruns. Spelling won two Emmys in his career, and of all his projects, he said he was proudest of ''Series/SeventhHeaven'' with Stephen Collins and Creator/CatherineHicks, for its presentation of a family he describes as "not at all dysfunctional". His estate has remained profitable following his death in 2006. Spelling was named to Forbes' list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities in 2009. The assets are split due to the Creator/{{Viacom}} breakup of 2005- his film library (mainly the Republic stuff) lies with Creator/{{Paramount}}, while Creator/{{CBS}} owns his TV shows (barring any produced with Columbia Pictures Television- those are now with Creator/SonyPicturesTelevision). As of 2019, the content library of Spelling Entertainment has been re-united with the merger of Viacom and CBS into the present-day Paramount Global

In 1969, Spelling created '''Spelling Television''', originally under the name ''Aaron Spelling Productions''. Three years later, he formed another co-production company with Leonard Goldberg. Spelling took his own company public in 1986 as '''Spelling Entertainment''', later buying the Taft Entertainment Company from Taft Broadcasting, and George A. Romero's Laurel Entertainment. Spelling continued expanding his entertainment holdings, buying Creator/RepublicPictures in 1994 – by the time his company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Creator/{{Viacom}} (through then-owned Blockbuster Video), it had five main operating units: Republic Pictures served as the home video arm and copyright holder for all the feature films in the Spelling library, TV production companies Spelling Television and Big Ticket Television, TV syndication distributor Worldvision Enterprises, and film production company Spelling Films.

In 1999, Spelling was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most prolific producer of television drama. According to Guinness' calculations, by that time Spelling had produced 3,842 hours of television -- enough to fill about 3½ years of prime time seven nights a week without any reruns. Spelling won two Emmys in his career, and of all his projects, he said he was proudest of ''Series/SeventhHeaven'' with Stephen Collins and Creator/CatherineHicks, for its presentation of a family he describes as "not at all dysfunctional". His estate has remained profitable following his death in 2006. Spelling was named to Forbes' list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities in 2009. The assets are split due to the Creator/{{Viacom}} breakup of 2005- his film library (mainly the Republic stuff) lies with Creator/{{Paramount}}, while Creator/{{CBS}} owns his TV shows (barring any produced with Columbia Pictures Television- those are now with Creator/SonyPicturesTelevision). As of 2019, the content library of Spelling Entertainment has been re-united with the merger of Viacom and CBS

!!Works: For a complete list, see the Website/{{IMDb}} [[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005455/ article here]].

In 1999, Spelling was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most prolific producer of television drama. According to Guinness' calculations, by that time Spelling had produced 3,842 hours of television -- enough to fill about 3½ years of prime time seven nights a week without any reruns. Spelling won two Emmys in his career, and of all his projects, he said he was proudest of ''Series/SeventhHeaven'' with Stephen Collins and Catherine Hicks, for its presentation of a family he describes as "not at all dysfunctional". His estate has remained profitable following his death in 2006. Spelling was named to Forbes' list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities in 2009. The assets are split due to the Creator/{{Viacom}} breakup of 2005- his film library (mainly the Republic stuff) lies with Creator/{{Paramount}}, while Creator/{{CBS}} owns his TV shows (barring any produced with Columbia Pictures Television- those are now with Creator/SonyPicturesTelevision). As of 2019, the content library of Spelling Entertainment has been re-united with the merger of Viacom and CBS

* ''Series/{{Dynasty}}''

* SoapOpera and PrimeTimeSoap: His soap opera work includes ''Series/BeverlyHills90210'', ''Series/MelrosePlace'', and ''Series/{{Dynasty}}''.

* ''Series/SeventhHeaven''

* ''Series/MelrosePlace''

In 1999, Spelling was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most prolific producer of television drama. According to Guinness' calculations, by that time Spelling had produced 3,842 hours of television -- enough to fill about 3½ years of prime time seven nights a week without any reruns. Spelling won two Emmys in his career, and of all his projects, he said he was proudest of ''Series/SeventhHeaven'' with Stephen Collins and Catherine Hicks, for its presentation of a family he describes as "not at all dysfunctional". His estate has remained profitable following his death in 2006. Spelling was named to Forbes' list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities in 2009. The assets are split due to the Creator/{{Viacom}} breakup of 2005- his film library (mainly the Republic stuff) lies with Creator/{{Paramount}}, while Creator/{{CBS}} owns his TV shows (barring any produced with Columbia Pictures Television- those are now with Creator/SonyPicturesTelevision).

Had his own personal {{pinball}} machine (a converted ''Pinball/LethalWeapon3'' table), a gift from his wife and family.

In 1969, Spelling created '''Spelling Television''', originally under the name ''Aaron Spelling Productions''. Three years later, he formed another co-production company with Leonard Goldberg. Spelling took his own company public in 1986 as '''Spelling Entertainment''', later buying the Taft Entertainment Company from Taft Broadcasting, and George A. Romero's Laurel Entertainment. Spelling continued expanding his entertainment holdings, buying Creator/RepublicPictures in 1994 – by the time his company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom (through then-owned Blockbuster Video), it had five main operating units: Republic Pictures served as the home video arm and copyright holder for all the feature films in the Spelling library, TV production companies Spelling Television and Big Ticket Entertainment, TV syndication distributor Worldvision Enterprises, and film production company Spelling Films.

Spelling found success in almost every genre, including westerns, police shows, family drama, escapist anthology, glossy adult soap opera and youth-oriented soaps. Among the recurring thematic features that have characterized Spelling's productions over the years are socially relevant issues such as the disaffected militant youth of the 1960s, the institutional discrimination against women, racism, and homophobia; altruistic capitalism; conspicuous consumption and valorization of the wealthy; the optimistic, moralistic maxims that people can be both economically and morally successful; good ultimately triumphs over evil; the grass often looks greener but rarely is; and the affirmation of the "caring company" work family as well as the traditional kinship family. Stylistically his productions typically have included high key lighting, gratuitous displays of women's bodies, heavily orchestrated musical themes, lavish sets, and what Spelling himself thinks is the most important thing in television--"style and attention to detail."

In 1999, Spelling was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most prolific producer of television drama. According to Guinness' calculations, by that time Spelling had produced 3,842 hours of television -- enough to fill about 3½ years of prime time seven nights a week without any reruns. Spelling won two Emmys in his career, and of all his projects, he said he was proudest of ''Series/SeventhHeaven'' with Stephen Collins and Catherine Hicks, for its presentation of a family he describes as "not at all dysfunctional". His estate has remained profitable following his death in 2006. Spelling was named to Forbes' list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities in 2009. The assets are split due tot he Creator/{{Viacom}} breakup of 2005- his film library (mainly the Republic stuff) lies with Creator/{{Paramount}}, while Creator/{{CBS}} owns his TV shows (barring any produced with Columbia Pictures Television- those are now with Creator/SonyPicturesTelevision).

In 1954, he sold his first script to ''Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre''. Spelling also wrote episodes for ''Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre'', ''Series/Playhouse90'', and ''Series/WagonTrain'', among other shows. He also worked minor roles as an actor, including parts in ''Franchise/{{Dragnet}}'', ''Series/ILoveLucy'' and ''Series/{{Gunsmoke}}''. After he wrote his first pilot he became a producer for Four Star Productions, where he created ''The Lloyd Bridges Show'' (1962-63), ''Burke's Law'' (1963-66), ''Honey West'' (1965-66), and helped develop ''The Smothers Brothers Show'' (1967-75).

In 1954, he sold his first script to ''Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre''. Spelling also wrote episodes for ''Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre'', ''Playhouse 90'', and ''Series/WagonTrain'', among other shows. He also worked minor roles as an actor, including parts in ''Franchise/{{Dragnet}}'', ''Series/ILoveLucy'' and ''Series/{{Gunsmoke}}''. After he wrote his first pilot he became a producer for Four Star Productions, where he created ''The Lloyd Bridges Show'' (1962-63), ''Burke's Law'' (1963-66), ''Honey West'' (1965-66), and helped develop ''The Smothers Brothers Show'' (1967-75).

* ''Series/BeverlyHills90210''

* ''Series/{{Charmed}}''

Has his own personal {{pinball}} machine (a converted ''Pinball/LethalWeapon3'' table), a gift from his wife and family.

After Powell's death, Spelling left Four Star Television in 1966, forming Thomas-Spelling Productions with Danny Thomas. Their first success was with the television show ''The Mod Squad''. During its five year run, ''The Mod Squad'' earned six Emmy Award nominations, including one for outstanding dramatic series of the 1969-70 season. Spelling and Thomas produced two 1960s series for Walter Brennan, both on ABC: ''The Tycoon''; and ''The Guns of Will Sonnett''. He also began collaboration with associate producer Shelley Hull, who, in addition to ''Mod Squad'', worked with Spelling on ''The Rookies'' and ''Series/CharliesAngels''. Hull also worked with Spelling in 1976 on the successful ABC movie ''Film/TheBoyInThePlasticBubble'', starring a young John Travolta. Spelling directed only once, on "The Conchita Vasquez Story," a 1959 episode of Wagon Train.

In 1969, Spelling created Spelling Television, originally under the name Aaron Spelling Productions. Three years later, he formed another co-production company with Leonard Goldberg. Spelling took his own company public in 1986 as Spelling Entertainment, later buying the Taft Entertainment Company from Taft Broadcasting, and George A. Romero's Laurel Entertainment. Spelling continued expanding his entertainment holdings, buying Republic Pictures in 1994 – by the time his company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom (through then-owned Blockbuster Video), it had five main operating units: Republic Pictures served as the home video arm and copyright holder for all the feature films in the Spelling library, TV production companies Spelling Television and Big Ticket Entertainment, TV syndication distributor Worldvision Enterprises, and film production company Spelling Films.

In 1999, Spelling was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most prolific producer of television drama. According to Guinness' calculations, by that time Spelling had produced 3,842 hours of television -- enough to fill about 3½ years of prime time seven nights a week without any reruns. Spelling won two Emmys in his career, and of all his projects, he said he was proudest of ''Series/SeventhHeaven'' with Stephen Collins and Catherine Hicks, for its presentation of a family he describes as "not at all dysfunctional". His estate has remained profitable following his death in 2006. Spelling was named to Forbes' list of Top-Earning Dead Celebrities in 2009.

* ''SunsetBeach''

* ''Series/{{SWAT}}''

* CopShow: The police shows he has worked on include ''Franchise/{{Dragnet}}'', ''Series/StarskyAndHutch'', ''Series/{{SWAT}}'', and ''Series/TJHooker''.