Gailard Sartain -- the beloved Southern character actor from "Hee Haw," "Mississippi Burning," and "Fried Green Tomatoes" -- has died at 78, TMZ has confirmed.

Sartain joined the “Hee Haw” cast in 1972 and played characters like Orville the cook at Lulu’s Truck Stop and the inept clerk Maynard at Gordie’s General Store.

Sartain joined the “Hee Haw” cast in 1972 and played characters like Orville the cook at Lulu’s Truck Stop and the inept clerk Maynard at Gordie’s General Store.

Gailard Sartain, the character actor best known for his role in “The Buddy Holly Story” and his work on variety shows like “Hee Haw,” died Tuesday, June 17, at the age of 78.

The actor was a part of the sketch variety show for the entirety of its run. Not only that, but ‘Hee Haw’ managed to become one of Sartain’s most beloved works on the screen.

(Gray News) – Gailard Sartain, who spent two decades on the sketch variety show “Hee Haw,” has died at age 81. Sartain’s wife confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that he died Thursday at his home in ...

(Gray News) – Gailard Sartain, who spent two decades on the sketch variety show “Hee Haw,” has died at age 81. Sartain’s wife confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that he died Thursday at his home in ...

Sartain joined the “Hee Haw” cast in 1972 and played characters like Orville the cook at Lulu’s Truck Stop and the inept clerk Maynard at Gordie’s General Store.

Sartain joined the “Hee Haw” cast in 1972 and played characters like Orville the cook at Lulu’s Truck Stop and the inept clerk Maynard at Gordie’s General Store.