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Gailard Sartain
1943 - 2025
Gailard Sartain
1943 - 2025
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1943
DIED
2025
Gailard Sartain Obituary
Gailard Sartain, longtime "Hee-Haw" regular who also appeared in "Mississippi Burning" and "The Outsiders," died June 19, 2025, of natural causes at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the age of 81.
Sartain's talents as an actor, both comedic and serious, led him to roles in a wide variety of favorites, including "The Dukes of Hazzard," "Fried Green Tomatoes," and many others. But it was his recurring roles on the comedy shows "Hee-Haw" and "Hey Vern, It's Ernest!" and the rubber-faced, energetic characters he played on them that many fans most remember him for.
For a whole generation of viewers in his native Tulsa, he is perhaps best remembered as Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi, the character he regularly played on the late-night show "The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting" in the early 1970s.
"Because of Mazeppa, people in Tulsa knew how funny he was before he made the rest of the world laugh, too," pop culture writer Jimmie Tramel said on the social media platform X. "The comedy on "Hee Haw" was intentionally corny, but he enhanced the material."
By Eric San Juan
(Image: Jerry Fitzgerald /American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images)
15 Entries
Mark George
August 7, 2025
I want to express my condolences to Mary Jo and the family of Gailard Sartain. Many years ago, in the 1970s, I was one of thousands of Tulsa teens who stayed up late to watch the comic stylings of Mr Sartain on The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting, waiting for the commercial breaks of b-rated science fiction and horror films because Mazeppa and crew would do hilarious skits and comedy bits on those breaks! Gailard was great on Hee Haw and he added his own genius to any movie role he took on. I was honored and so very grateful when Gailard agreed to endorse a humor book I wrote back in 2013, permitting me to put his name and a quote of his on the cover! Gailard was an inspiration, and fostered in me an appreciation of humor in all its forms. He made me laugh til it hurt! His silliness was an art form! He was the funniest member of the Hee Haw cast, and his rendition of the Big Bopper in The Buddy Holly Story was amazing. Thank you, Gailard Sartain, for all the laughter! Mark George
A. J.
July 17, 2025
RIP Mr. Sartain. Thank you for the light and laughter you gave the world!
Shawn Patrick
July 4, 2025
We met a decade back and I shared that my mother´s maiden name was Sartain, we were cousins from then on. He always called me by my name and referred to me as cousin. He always made me feel like I was the only person in the room, it´s a rare gift and something I try to imitate.
It was truly my very great pleasure to have know him and I pray the Lord brings you comfort.
Cheryl Baird
June 30, 2025
I remember him so well from our college years. He was a great guy. Gailard will never be forgotten... he brought joy and laughter to every one. Condolences, Cheryl Burnett-Baird
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Joel Walker
June 29, 2025
Thank You Gailard for all of the side-splitting laughter throughout the years! All of the crazy hilarious characters, stories and commercials that you created were pure genius. Back in the day we were dedicated viewers to your genius every Saturday night for years. Our faces and abdomens hurting from so much laughter. From Coach Chuck to Billy Bee Bob Bevis and everything in between, we will always be your biggest fans. Thank You again Sir for the years of joy & happy memories that you created. Good Clean Fun. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of the family.
Mr. Jr.
June 27, 2025
My condolences.
Wally Love
June 25, 2025
This obituary is modest for a man of incandescent talent-but that modesty also seems fitting for someone who never took his success, or himself, too seriously. He surely left behind cherished chuckles with everyone who knew him or saw him perform.
I had the joy of a college friendship and shared fraternity brotherhood that gave me a ringside seat to his comedic and artistic gifts. So many people have stories of "Gailard encounters." One of mine: I arrived at the church on my wedding day and was stunned to see Gailard, one of my groomsmen, wearing a plaid tuxedo coat. "I thought you´d like it," he said-then revealed he had also brought the proper attire.
He will be missed by all, but memories of him are indelible.
Gregory Scarbrough
June 24, 2025
To the family of Gaylord..I pray for comfort and peace . Gaylord provided laughter to many people including myself as a comedian on Hee Haw.
BL
June 24, 2025
Many years ago, I had the great privilege of working at the premier Tulsa design firm, Philips Knight Walsh. PKW were 3 of the best men and most talented designers I still have yet to encounter. Every day I went to work, the first thing I saw when I walked in the door was Gailard's very artfully crafted painting of a saltine cracker. I loved that painting. One of the partners, Jim Knight, was a long time friend of Gailard's, and one evening he invited me to join him and Gailard for drinks and dinner. In addition to be very gracious, Gailard was absolutely one of the most joyful and funniest people I have ever met. The evening was 3 or 4 hours of continuous, side splitting laughter. I miss my dear friend Jim, and I treasure the memory of him letting me spend one of the best evenings of my life with him and his good friend Gailard. I always wished I could have gotten to know him more. My prayers and condolences go out to his family and friends. God bless you all.
Janice Krieger
June 24, 2025
Truly sorry to learn of Gailard's passing. I am a native born Tulsan so grew up with his silliness of which will forever remain in our hearts. I will never forget on one local St. Patrick's day event back in the 80's at the Tulsa Fairgrounds, reubens were being served. I asked for 3 of them. He was joking around of course asking why 3? But when he found out who I was (a child of Joe Krieger) and that my parents were there he personally gathered them up for me then helped carry them to my parents. Need I say more? My dad and him joked around for a long time since both had at one time local TV shows.
Carolyn Sartain Williamson
June 24, 2025
My name is carolyn(Sartain)Williamson I don´t know if we are kin or but I send my condolences from Whitesburg,Tennessee
Cody
June 24, 2025
I grew up watching you and felt like you were one our family. Thank you for all the laughs you have given me & my family over the years rarities like you only come once in a lifetime. So long & thank you sir.
Doug Miller
June 23, 2025
I have watch Mr. Sartain's since "Hee Haw", and i really enjoyed his comedic style. First Lulu his side kick at the truck stop now Gailard. Thank you for helping to make the world a more happy place through the years. We will see again someday with Lulu. R.I.P. my friend.
Leslie Redaway
June 23, 2025
Donna kerr
June 23, 2025
Our love for Gaylord began with our dedication to watching Mezeppa and continued thru all his other endeavors. He was a truly brilliant comedian and human being...much loved. Truly will be missed. Thank you for a the laughter you gave our world.
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