Marty Krofft, renowned co-producer behind beloved children’s series such as ‘HR Pufnstuf’ and ‘Land of the Lost,’ passed away on Saturday afternoon in California at the age of 86, as reported by CNN. He succumbed to kidney failure in Los Angeles, surrounded by his close family and friends, according to his publicist, B. Harlan Boll.
Krofft, best known for co-creating iconic children’s television shows in the 1970s alongside his brother, Sid Krofft, made a significant impact on multiple generations with their imaginative productions. Their journey began when they transitioned from puppet performances to the creation of ‘HR Pufnstuf’ for NBC’s Saturday morning children’s programming. The character, a fan favorite from their live performances, became a remarkable success that even led to a feature film produced in collaboration with Universal Pictures.
The Krofft brothers’ names became synonymous with household favorites in the 1970s, propelling them into a 50-year career marked by crafting family-oriented entertainment. Their creations included an array of series like ‘The Bugaloos,’ ‘Lidsville,’ ‘Sigmund and the Sea Monsters,’ ‘Pryor’s Place,’ ‘Far Out Space Nuts,’ ‘The Lost Saucer,’ ‘The Krofft Supershow,’ ‘Wonderbug,’ ‘Electra Woman and Dyna Girl,’ ‘Dr. Shrinker,’ and ‘Bigfoot & Wildboy.’
Their imaginative vision extended beyond television screens when they opened The Omni amusement park in Atlanta in 1976. Unfortunately, the park was forced to close just months after it opened for a variety of reasons.
Their contributions to television were recognized with awards such as the Lifetime Career Award at the 2003 Saturn Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award in 2018 by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Marty Krofft’s recent accolades include the Julie Award at the 2023 Dragon Con in Atlanta.
Marty Krofft’s legacy as a visionary producer continues to resonate through generations of family entertainment enthusiasts, as he is survived by his brothers, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchild, and great-great-grandchild.