Overview

• Gailard Sartain died June 17 at his Tulsa home, with The Church Studio announcing on June 20 that natural causes followed a period of declining health.
• He earned fame with nearly 20 seasons on the country variety series Hee Haw, creating memorable roles like Orville the cook and the bumbling clerk Maynard.
• Sartain appeared in over 60 films, delivering standout performances in The Buddy Holly Story, Mississippi Burning and Fried Green Tomatoes.
• An accomplished artist and illustrator, he designed album covers and contributed to national magazines, including the cover for Leon Russell’s Will O’ the Wisp.
• After retiring from acting following his role in Elizabethtown (2005), he is survived by his wife Mary Jo, three children, a granddaughter and a great-grandson.