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Television producer Aaron Spelling, the man behind some of US TV’s most famous shows, has died Friday evening at the age of 83 at his Los Angeles home, wife Candy and son Randy at his side, according to publicist Kevin Sasaki. The guilty-pleasure producer, whose prime-time hits, including Charlie’s Angels, Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210, were often dismissed by critics, but more often embraced by audiences.

Spelling’s other hit series included “Love Boat,” “Fantasy Island,” “Burke’s Law,” “The Mod Squad,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Matt Houston,” “Hart to Hart” and “Hotel.” He kept his hand in 21st Century TV with the series “7th Heaven” and “Summerland.” He also produced more than 140 television movies.
The ABC pact lasted 18 years, until new owners ended the relationship. Spelling then helped do the same for two newer networks. He delivered hit series for Fox Broadcasting in “90210′’ and “Melrose Place'’ in the 1990s, and he provided popular programming for the WB Network well into the next decade with “7th Heaven'’ and “Charmed.'’

Although daughter Tori Spelling was not reportedly present, Us Weekly reports in its latest issue that, days before the stroke, she reconciled with father following a months-long rift purportedly stemming from the portrayal of them in her semi-autobiographical VH1 comedy series, so noTORIous.
Mr. Spelling’s roster of hits also made him one of Hollywood’s richest denizens, with a fortune estimated in the mid-1990s at more than $300 million. His wealth was underscored by the 56,000-square-foot, 123-room mansion — complete with a bowling alley and indoor skating rink — that he built on Bing Crosby’s former estate and dubbed “The Manor.”

He was credited with launching the career of Heather Locklear, who co-starred with a post-Star Trek William Shatner in TJ Hooker and later appeared in Melrose Place.
Other shows he produced included Hart to Hart, Matt Houston, Fantasy Island and Burke’s Law.