Gailard Sartain Dies: ‘Hee Haw,’ ‘The Buddy Holly Story’ Actor Was 78

Gailard Sartain Dies: ‘Hee Haw,’ ‘The Buddy Holly Story’ Actor Was 78

Gailard Sartain, the character actor and comedian whose breakthrough role on Hee Haw launched a career of playing Southern good-ol’-boy that included his memorable performance as The Big Bopper in 1978’s The Buddy Holly Story, died Tuesday, June 17, following a long illness. He was 78. His death was announced on Facebook by The Church Studio, a recording studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma where Sartain’s wife Mary Jo volunteers. Born in Tulsa on Sept…

Tulsa actor and longtime 'Hee Haw' cast member Gailard Sartain dies

Hee-Haw Star Gailard Sartain Dies At 78

Tulsa-born actor and artist Gailard Sartain, known for his roles in Hee Haw, The Buddy Holly Story, and Fried Green Tomatoes, has died at age 78.