Famous TV Producer Dies at 86 Years Old

(DailyDig.com) – Marty Krofft, a producer best known for his work on “Land of the Lost” and “H.R. Pufnstuf,” died on November 25. He lived to be 86.

Krofft, an innovator in both primetime television and children’s television, died at his Los Angeles home with loved ones after a battle with kidney failure.

Due to his dominance of morning programming on Saturdays alongside his brother Sid Krofft, he was frequently called “the King of Saturday Mornings” by fans of all ages.

The Marshall family’s adventures on the Saturday morning hit “Land of the Lost” included encounters with lizard men known as Sleestak, dinosaurs, and mysterious pylons that held the tenuous promise of a passage back to their home. From 1974 to 1976, the show ran on television, featuring Wesley Eure, Kathy Coleman, Phillip Paley, and Spencer Milligan.

“The Bugaloos,” “Pryor’s Place” (starring Richard Pryor), and “Electra Woman & Dyna Girl” were among the many family-friendly shows produced by Sid & Marty Pictures over the course of five decades.

Among Krofft’s primetime hits were the following: the “Donny & Marie Show” (on ABC on Friday nights), “The Brady Bunch Hour,” “D.C. Follies” (a satirical and humorous series), and “Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters.” They all stayed among the top-watched shows as favorites of their audiences.

He oversaw the Six Flags creative direction and, before television, produced some live shows around the United States at theme parks.

Following Marty’s 1969 success with Hanna Barbara’s “Banana Splits,” NBC approached him about developing his own Children’s Saturday Morning Series. Among their live performances, “HR Pufnstuf” was chosen as the fan favorite. A feature film was born from its success, with Universal Pictures serving as both producer and distributor.

Sid and Harry Krofft are Marty’s brothers; his daughters are Kristina Krofft, Deanna Krofft-Pope (with son-in-law, Randy Pope), and Kendra Krofft (with son-in-law, Lou Moreno).

Plus, one great-grandchild, Maddox Nichols, and five grandchildren, Drake Zander, Georgia Zander, Griffin Pope, Karson Pope, and Taylor Pope, round out his family.