Aaron Spelling graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Before that, he attended Forest Avenue High. He started as a writer and sold his first script to _"Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre" , Hamilton Projects and Republic Pictures. It also owns a software company called Virgin Interactive. Hamilton Projects handles merchandising for Spelling's shows. The main office is located at 5700 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, California.
His 4.6-acre estate "The Manor" at 594 Mapleton Drive in Bel Air, California, has 123 rooms (totalling 1.3 acres), a bowling alley, swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis court, screening room and four 2-car garages. Spelling bought the property in 1983, including a house that had belonged to Bing Crosby. He demolished the Crosby house and built the largest single-family home in California.
He suffered from fear of flying.
Took the name Jerry Lane during World War II.
Father, with Candy Spelling , of actress Tori Spelling and actor Randy Spelling.
Graduated from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, with a Bachelors of Arts degree in 1945.
Had so many shows on ABC in the 1970s, people in the business joked that ABC stood for "Aarons Broadcasting Company".
He used to be a cheerleader.
Holds Guinness World Record for most prolific television producer.
Suffered a stroke on June 18, 2006, and was briefly hospitalized.
Was a lifelong pipe smoker. In 2001, he was diagnosed with oral cancer.
Four of his shows (and counting) have been made into theatrical films.
At some point during the run of "Degrassi Junior High" , Spelling made an attempt to buy the rights and produce the show in America. Shortly after his request was declined, he produced "Beverly Hills, 90210" .
He launched careers for different actors such as Jamie Luner , Joan Collins , Heather Locklear , Marcia Cross and George Eads , just to name a few.
Business partners included E. Duke Vincent and Leonard Goldberg.
Friend of Nolan Miller , Dominick Dunne and Lawrence Gordon.
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978.
His daughter, Tori Spelling s godmother was Barbara Stanwyck.
His mentor was Dick Powell. They both suffered from throat cancer from heavy smoking.
Despite his $500,000,000 fortune, according to her autobiography "STori Telling" , he left his daughter Tori only a little more than $800,000 in his will. She writes that, after death taxes, she netted only half of that.
Daughter Tori Spelling was a neighbor of Farrah Fawcett for ten years in a condo she rented from her parents.
Appeared uncredited as a beggar in MGMs Kismet . Spelling wrote in his memoirs that this role made him decide to give up acting. Director Vincente Minnelli always said he was responsible for Spellings career as a successful TV producer and told him: "Had I not put you in Kismet , youd still be an actor somewhere.".
Ex-father-in-law of Charlie Shahnaian.
Father-in-law of Dean McDermott.
Youngest of five children.
(March 2003) Ranked No. 62 on D Magazines list of "The Top 100 Dallas Celebrities".
Was engaged to actress Letcia Romn in 1966.
Release of his book, "Aaron Spelling: A Prime-time Life" by Aaron with Jefferson Graham.
After Spellings failure as an actor, it was then-wife Carolyn Jones , who pushed him to become a writer, even threatening to leave him if he didnt. Ultimately, it is Jones who deserves much credit for Spellings success.
Had 6 grandchildren, all born once he had already passed away. 2 girls from his son Randy Spelling and his wife Leah Spelling (ne Stutz), named Sage Aurelia (b. June 9, 2011) and Lotus Elodie (b. February 3, 2013); and 4 children from his daughter Tori Spelling and her husband Dean McDermott , named Liam McDermott (b. March 13, 2007), Stella McDermott (b. June 9, 2008), Hattie McDermott (b. October 10, 2011) and Finn McDermott.
