Tulsans became familiar with Gailard Sartain before the rest of the world because of his comedic work on a local late-night ...

The pride of Tulsa also showed up in three Ernest movies, played The Big Bopper in ‘The Buddy Holly Story’ and did nine films ...

He starred in many classic Hollywood films.

Though best known for comedy, he also played serious roles, including a sinister sheriff in “Mississippi Burning.” The director Alan Rudolph cast him in nine films.

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 ...

Known for his roles in films like "The Outsiders," "Fried Green Tomatoes" and three "Ernest" movies, the Tulsan died Thursday, June 19. He was 78.

June 20 (UPI) --Gailard Sartain, an actor who starred in Hee Haw and Fried Green Tomatoes, died Tuesday. He was 78. The Church Studio, an Oklahoma recording studio where Sartain's wife, Mary Jo ...

Gailard Sartain died of natural causes in his Tulsa, Oklahoma, hometown at age 81. The TV and film actor broke out in shows like 'Hee Haw' and 'The Sonny & Cher Show' before starring in ...

"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 ...

Gailard Sartain, who was beloved to country music fans as a longtime star of Hee Haw, has died. Tulsa World reports that the actor, comedian and illustrator died on July 17, 2025.

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 ...

Gailard Sartain, the character actor best known for his role in “The Buddy Holly Story” and his work on variety shows like “Hee Haw,” died Tuesday, June 17, at the age of 78.