By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Pew PatriotsPew PatriotsPew Patriots
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Reading: ‘Hee Haw’ actor Gailard Sartain dead at 81
Share
Font ResizerAa
Pew PatriotsPew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
‘Hee Haw’ actor Gailard Sartain dead at 81
News

‘Hee Haw’ actor Gailard Sartain dead at 81

Jimmie Dempsey
Last updated: June 20, 2025 7:40 pm
Jimmie Dempsey Published June 20, 2025
Share
SHARE

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

“Hee Haw” star Gailard Sartain has died. He was 81.

The actor, who also appeared in “Mississippi Burning” and “The Buddy Holly Story,” passed away from natural causes at his home on Thursday, his wife Mary Jo Sartain confirmed to Fox News Digital.

“Everyone has a Gailard story that they tell with a smile. Keep telling his stories,” Mary, his wife of 36 years, said.

LORETTA SWIT, STAR OF ‘M*A*S*H,’ DEAD AT 87

Sartain joined the “Hee Haw” cast in 1972. He appeared on the show for 20 years as a variety of different characters, including Orville the cook and clerk Maynard.

He also portrayed Willie Billy Honey on the spin-off, “Hee Haw Honeys,” from 1978-1979. Lulu Roman, Kathie Lee Gifford and Misty Rowe also starred in the spin-off.

“Everyone has a Gailard story that they tell with a smile. Keep telling his stories.”

— Mary Jo Sartain

Along with “Hee Haw,” Sartain appeared in nine feature films that were directed by Alan Rudolph: “Roadie,” “Equinox,” “The Moderns,” “Love at Large,” “Songwriter,” “Endangered Species,” “Choose Me,” “Trouble in Mind” and “Made in Heaven.” 

LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

During an interview with Tulsa World newspaper in 2017, Sartain told the outlet that he enjoyed working with Rudolph because he “would just turn me loose. So I would come up with character accents and stuff, and he would go for it.”

Gailard Sartain's Roadie

A career high for Sartain was his role as a racist sheriff in “Mississippi Burning,” which was released in 1988.

During his Tulsa World interview, Sartain admitted it was difficult being cast in the same role.

“Nobody likes to be typecast as a barefooted hillbilly, so when I had the opportunity to do other roles, I happily did it. I was cast in that, and that kind of turned things around. I wasn’t just typecast as a funny guy. That was a little bit pivotal,” he said at the time.

Gailard Sartain in Keep On Truckin

Sartain was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1943. The actor is survived by his wife, their children, Sarah, Esther and Ben, his granddaughter, Chloe, and his great-grandson, Teddy.

Read the full article here

You Might Also Like

NCAA Women’s Tournament 2025 highlights: South Carolina on upset alert

Wisconsin state agencies, university system failed to track DEI spending, audit reveals

ATF chief legal counsel fired by Bondi in latest Justice Department shakeup

Trump DOJ hammers judge’s ‘digressive micromanagement,’ seeks more time to answer 5 questions

Washington Post reporter arrested on child pornography charges after FBI search and is placed on leave

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We Recommend
Change The Fight
Tactical

Change The Fight

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey July 11, 2025
US commander says China has failed to coerce rivals in South China Sea
DOJ investigating Minnesota hiring practices in latest clash with Walz
Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins reveals very relatable haircut experience with one exception
Why Is Every Natural Disaster Being Politicized?
Biden cover-up probe heats up as another ex-White House aide sits down with GOP
MSNBC’s Psaki struggles to fill Maddow’s lofty shoes, trails CNN in key demo through two months in new slot
News

MSNBC’s Psaki struggles to fill Maddow’s lofty shoes, trails CNN in key demo through two months in new slot

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey July 11, 2025
Rifle Roundup: Franklin Armory Militia AR-10 With A Sightmark Wraith Mini 2-16×35 Thermal Scope
Tactical

Rifle Roundup: Franklin Armory Militia AR-10 With A Sightmark Wraith Mini 2-16×35 Thermal Scope

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey July 11, 2025
WWE star Drew McIntyre dishes on how he finally got his ‘bored at work’ shirt made
News

WWE star Drew McIntyre dishes on how he finally got his ‘bored at work’ shirt made

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey July 11, 2025
Pew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
  • Guns and Gear
2024 © Pew Patriots. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?