Marty Krofft, ‘H.R. Pufnstuf’ Producer Dies at 86
Marty Krofft and his brother Sid Krofft were known as creative television producers who worked on shows such as H.R. Pufnstuf, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, Land of the Lost, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, and Donny & Marie. Sadly, Marty has passed away at the age of 86. Sid confirmed the news with a touching tribute to his younger brother in a Los Angeles Times article writing in part, “Marty and I were oil and vinegar. We worked in different ways, but if you shook us up we were a great dressing. We were a great team.”
Marty was born eight years after Sid. They began working together in the 1950s after Sid had begun sharing a one-man puppet show called The Unusual Artistry of Sid Krofft. By 1957, the brothers had created a more mature puppet show called Les Poupées de Paris. They were able to design the characters and sets for The Banana Splits series and their producing career began with the beloved yet short-lived series H.R. Pufnstuf.
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Krofft productions often focused on eccentric and colorful children’s series including The Buagaloos, The Lost Saucer, and Wonderbug. They also helped to bring Donny and Marie Osmond to mainstream culture with their own variety show and later worked with the Mandrell Sisters. In 2020, the brothers received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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Donny Osmond shared a post honoring Marty on social media. He wrote, “I am so saddened by the passing of my dear friend, Marty Krofft. He and his brother, Sid, created the whole format of The Donny and Marie show. Together, they put my sister and me on the map and both of us will be forever grateful for their vision and creativity. Marty Krofft’s television legacy is incredible. His fingerprint is on generations of entertainment and the impact he’s had in connecting people around the world is an astonishing legacy he leaves behind. Our best wishes and love go out to his family and loved ones. As Marie and I sang at the end of every show, ‘May God keep you in His tender care, ’till He brings us together again.’”
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Butch Patrick, best known for playing Eddie Munster, also shared a sweet tribute. He appeared in their show Lidsville in the ’70s and wrote, “Very sorry to hear of my friend Marty Krofft’s passing. Working with him and Sid was a crazy fun experience. You see with the premier H.R Pufnstuf in ‘69 The Kroffts owned Saturday morning TV into the 70’s. I turned 18 in ‘71 filming Lidsville. What a summer. I would see Marty from time to time over the years always it brought back fond memories. Sid and Marty’s impact on our youth can’t be overstated. Working with the Krofft team was such wild fun. Charles Nelson Reilly , Billy Hayes, Sharon Baird, Felix Silla, Jerry Marin and dozens more. Thank you my friend for allowing me to have the Koo Koo Kookiest,Kick Kick Kickiest time ever. If you aren’t familiar with the World of Sid and Marty Krofft do yourself a favor and enter it. You’ll be glad you did! Cuz as the song says Everyone that goes to Lidsville really flips his lid. R.I.P. and Godspeed Marty.”
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Marty is survived by his brothers Sid and Harry; his daughters Deanna Krofft-Pope, Kristina Krofft, and Kendra Krofft; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
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September 2023
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