Marty Krofft has died at age 86, his long-time publicist Harlan Boll has announced.
The TV producer, who is famed for being behind Land Of The Lost, H.R. Pufnstuf and Donny And Marie, sadly passed due to kidney failure.
Marty, who was the pioneer in children’s television and primetime programming, was said to be surrounded by his family and friends on Saturday when he died.
Announcing the tragic news, his publicist Harlan told ABC News: ‘On behalf of the Krofft family and Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures, I have been asked to announce the passing of their brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather – the legendary and iconic industry mogul, Marty Krofft.’
Marty, sometimes referred to as ‘Kind of Saturday Mornings’, rose to fame for his work on The Banana Splits Adventure Hour.
The producer eventually went on to start production company Sid and Marty Pictures with his brother Sid Krofft in 1969.
Sid, 94, and Marty produced colourful, fantasy-themed children’s shows that also included Lidsville and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, as well as The Brady Bunch Hour.
The duo were honoured a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award in 2018 and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2020.
With a career spanning over 50 years, Marty has produced multiple shows and quality family entertainment.
In the 1980s, Sid and Marty, who was born in Montreal, created the syndicated series D.C Follies, which starred Fred Willard.
Marty married German model and actress Christa Speck, who sadly died at age 70 in 2013.
Marty and Christa have an actress daughter called Kristina.
In 1957 the Marty and Sid, who is a puppeteer, developed Les Poupées de Paris, a puppet show sporting mature themes.
In 2008, the Los Angeles Times described the brothers’ dynamic way, writing: ‘Marty had joined the act by the late 1950s, and from then on the two puppeteers were locked in a contest to prove who was really pulling the strings.
‘Sid was the creative force, but Marty was the one who made sure the act actually made it to the stage.’
In addition to his brother Sid, Marty has a brother Harry, three daughters, Deanna Krofft-Pope, Kristina and Kendra Krofft, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
