(NewsReady.com) – On November 25, Marty Krofft passed away at the age of 86. The famed Canadian television producer—and one-half of Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures—died in Los Angeles from kidney failure.
The Krofft brothers are considered trailblazers in children’s television. During the 1970s and early 1980s, they brought fantasy to life for kids across the country. According to a Los Angeles Times profile on the duo in 2008, they were pros at creating low-budget shows that used large puppets as props.
Marty and Sid, who is still living at the time of this writing, created the iconic shows “Land of the Lost,” “H.R. Pufnstuf,” “Sigmund and the Sea Monsters,” and “Lidsville.” In 2009, Universal Pictures turned “Land of the Lost” into a film. The remake starred Will Ferrell and made $68 million at the box office. During the LA Times profile, Marty said he refused to sell the rights to their old shows. It put them in a position to ink a massive deal with Universal.
The two brothers reportedly bickered at one another frequently. Marty said, “It’s not easy for two brothers to work together.”
The Kroffts were known as the Kings of Saturday Mornings because of their beloved television shows. Marty also produced “Donny and Marie,” starring sister and brother Marie and Donny Osmond, “Pryor’s Place,” starring Richard Pryor, and other shows.
In the late 1980s, Marty waded into politics with the show “D.C. Follies.” The television show featured puppets that imitated politicians like Richard Nixon. The late president even called Marty at home to praise him for the funny television show.
In 2018, the two brothers won the Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award. In 2020, they received stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Marty is survived by his brothers Sid and Harry, daughters Deanna, Kendra, and Kristina, grandkids Griffin, Karson, Georgia, Taylor, and Drake, and one great-grandchild, Maddox. His wife, Christa Rogalski, died in 2013.
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