Gailard Sartain dead at 78: Hee Haw star passes away after long health battle

By T. ZELLER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: 16:14 BST, 20 June 2025 | Updated: 16:35 BST, 20 June 2025

Actor and comedian Gailard Sartain has died at the age of 78.

The cherished Southern actor was known for his memorable roles in Hee Haw, Mississippi Burning, and Fried Green Tomatoes.

The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma shared the news on Facebook, paying tribute to the late actor with a heartfelt message.

‘We are saddened by the loss of Gailard Sartain, an extraordinary actor, artist, and comedian,’ the post read. 

‘His late night visits in the 1970s to the studio after filming Mazeppa are fondly remembered. Gailard’s artwork is showcased on the cover of Leon Russell’s 1975 album Will O’ the Wisp. Our condolences are with Mary Jo, Gailard’s wife and a committed volunteer at The Church Studio.’

Teresa Knox, CEO of The Church Studio, confirmed to TMZ that Sartain passed away on Tuesday following a prolonged decline in health.

Actor and comedian Gailard Sartain has died at the age of 78; (seen in 1991)

Sartain joined the cast of Hee Haw in 1972, bringing to life the character of Sheriff Orville P. Bullmoose; (top, from left: Gordie Tapp, George Lindsey, bottom, from left: Minnie Pearl, Gailard Sartain)

At this time, no official cause of death has been disclosed.  

Misty Rowe, Sartain’s longtime Hee Haw co-star—often seen as Junior Samples’ assistant—also paid tribute in a Facebook post.  

‘God Bless You, Gailard Sartain. You were my brother on Hee Haw Honeys and my friend on Hee Haw for 19 years! I will never forget you.’

Victoria Hallman, who starred as Miss Honeydew on Hee Haw, remembered Gailard Sartain as a beloved presence on set. 

She told TMZ he felt like a big brother to her and was so funny, the cast often had to reshoot scenes because they couldn’t stop laughing.

‘I knew he wasn’t in good health and hadn’t been for a while,’ she added. 

‘We always fool ourselves that people will hang on. I wasn’t expecting to find out in the wee hours of the morning.’

Sartain joined the cast of Hee Haw in 1972, bringing to life the character of Sheriff Orville P. Bullmoose. 

Teresa Knox, CEO of The Church Studio, confirmed that Sartain passed away on Tuesday following a prolonged decline in health; (pictured on Hee Haw)

The cherished Southern actor was known for his memorable roles in Hee Haw, Mississippi Burning, and Fried Green Tomatoes (pictured)

At this time, no official cause of death has been disclosed; (Sartain in 1994’s Getting Even with Dad)

A fixture on the show’s sketches, he remained a regular until the series wrapped up in 1992.

His career spanned decades and genres. 

While best known for his comedic work on Hee Haw and several Ernest films, Sartain also showcased his dramatic talents in notable movies like Mississippi Burning and The Outsiders. 

The latter, adapted from S.E. Hinton’s novel, explored the rivalry between teenage gangs in 1960s Tulsa — Sartain’s hometown.

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Gailard Sartain dead at 78: Hee Haw star passes away after long health battle

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