Gailard Sartain, the charismatic character actor best known for his comedic roles on Hee Haw and in the Ernest movie franchise, passed away from natural causes on Thursday, June 19, in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was 81.

The Oklahoma native left an indelible mark on both television and film, bringing warmth and eccentricity to a wide array of characters across genres. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary Jo Sartain, their three children—Sarah, Esther, and Ben—granddaughter Chloe, and great-grandson Teddy, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In a lighthearted tribute, his wife said, “Actually, he died of silliness.”

Born in 1943, Sartain began his career behind the camera as a TV cameraman before stepping into the spotlight with a quirky late-night Tulsa show The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting, where he played the flamboyant Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi alongside a then-unknown Gary Busey.

His breakthrough came with the country comedy series Hee Haw, where he entertained audiences for nearly two decades. Sartain later became a familiar face in numerous films, making his big-screen debut as The Big Bopper in The Buddy Holly Story (1978), and appearing in a variety of notable films including Mississippi Burning, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Outsiders, Ali, and The Replacements.

Sartain also had a long-running collaboration with comedian Jim Varney, appearing in several Ernest films and the children’s show Hey Vern, It’s Ernest!. He worked frequently with director Alan Rudolph, starring in nine of his films.

After a rich and varied career, Sartain retired from acting following his role in Cameron Crowe’s 2005 film Elizabethtown.

From sketch comedy to serious drama, Sartain’s legacy lives on in the laughter he sparked and the stories he helped bring to life.