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Marty Kroft, one half of the brother duo who created and produced a series of memorable ’70s children’s shows with low budgets and boundless creativity, died Saturday in Los Angeles. She was 86 years old.
variety His death was due to kidney failure, a family representative confirmed.
The Crofts were born to Marty in Montreal in 1937, succeeding his surviving brother Sid in 1929.
Sid began his career in one-man puppetry in the 1940s, and Marty joined him in the 50s to co-create a puppet show for adults called “Les Poupées de Paris.”
The brothers showcased their eccentric sensibilities by designing the sets and characters for Hanna-Barbera’s Banana Spritz (1968-1970).
They started a production company in 1968 and played Jimmy in the classic series “HR Pufnstuf” (1968-1970) starring Jack Wilde. Jimmy is a young boy lured to the Living Island in a magical boat to steal a talking flute by the evil Witchpoo (Billy Hayes). .
Featuring a wide range of humor, expressiveness, and psychedelic color, the show lives on in the hearts of fans, even though only 17 episodes were produced. It was so popular that a full-length film was released in 1970.
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Billy Hayes, who played Witchpoo in HR Pufnstuf, dies at 96
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Their brand is a child of the 1970s, with series such as Bugaloo (1970), Rizbil (1971), Sigmund and the Sea Monster (1973), and The Lost Country (1974). We monopolized the main dishes. “Far Out Space Nuts” (1975), “The Lost Saucers” (1975) and “Croft Supershow” (1976), the latter of which included the female-led “Electra Woman and Dyna Girl.” episode was included.
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After the show ended, the brothers continued to appear on variety specials and series featuring the stars of “The Brady Bunch” (“The Brady Bunch Hour” (1977), “Donny & Marie” (“The Osmond Family Show”, 1976), “The Mandrell”). ) was also involved in the production. The Sisters (Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters, 1980), and even Richard Pryor (Pryor’s Place, 1984).
They produced the film Middle Age Crazy (1980), starring Bruce Dern and Ann-Margret, and the 2009 big-screen adaptation of Land of the Lost, starring Will Ferrell. Served as producer.
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The brothers have received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Daytime Emmy Awards.
Marty Croft is survived by his brothers Sid and Harry, three daughters, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
