Marty Krofft at his Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2020.Photo:Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Marty Krofft, co-producer of the children’s television classicsH.R. PufnstufandLand of the Lost, has died at the age of 86.
The businessman, who worked on the programs alongside older brother and creative partner Sid Krofft, died of kidney failure on Saturday in Los Angeles, a family representative confirmed to PEOPLE.
Marty, who held the nickname “King of Saturday Mornings,” worked on family entertainment and primetime programming for more than 50 years. He and Sid first collaborated onH.R. Pufnstuf.
A scene from ‘The Banana Splits Adventure Hour’.everett collection
everett collection
The live-action series debuted on NBC in 1969 before getting a second life via reruns on ABC and elsewhere in the 1970s and beyond. The show also spawned the 1970 feature adaptationPufnstuf.
The brothers — who were born in Montreal, Quebec, and first crafted costumes for Hanna-Barbera’sBanana Splits— eventually went on to createLand of the Lost, which premiered on NBC in 1974 and later aired as reruns on other networks.
While Marty was best known for his work on children’s television — including other hits such asThe Bugaloos,Lidsville,Sigmund & the Sea MonstersandPryor’s PlacestarringRichard Pryor— he also had several primetime hits under his belt. The producer was responsible for series such asD.C. Follies, theDonny & Marie Show,The Brady Bunch HourandBarbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters.
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The Krofft brothers earned the Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in2018, as well as a star on theHollywood Walk of Famein 2020.
Several friends and fans have shared memories of Marty on social media, includingBrady Bunchstar Maureen McCormick,who tweeted a photoof herself and the producer at his Walk of Fame ceremony.
“Rest In Sweet Peace Marty Krofft. Thank you for all the joy. You are in my [heart] forever,” she wrote. “Love to Marty’s family and friends.”
In an interview for theHsu Untiedpodcast earlier this year, Marty joked that the “biggest highlight” of his career was that he’s “been running this thing for 50 years, and I’m still above the grass.”
“So that’s a big highlight. There were really so many things beyond the shows and the movies… Is there a favorite? I just have a tough time with that one.”
source: people.com
