Marty Krofft, Legendary Co-Creator Of Beloved Of 'H.R. Pufnstuf,' Dies At 86

Marty Krofft died on November 25 at the age of 86.
His cause of death is attributed to kidney failure.
Krofft and his brother Sid were responsible for several beloved TV shows, including ‘H.R. Pufnstuf,’ Donny and Marie,’ and ‘Land of the Lost.’

On November 25, Marty Krofft died. He was 86 when he passed away. His cause of death has been attributed to kidney failure, according to publicist B. Harlan Boll. Krofft had been surrounded by family when he passed.

Marty was one half of the legendary brotherly producer duo Sid and Marty Krofft, who together are responsible for several popular children’s shows, including Land of the Lost, H.R. Pufnstuf, and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters.

TV producer Marty Krofft has died

RIP Marty Kroft.

Best example of how to produce memorable and mind blowing children’s content for television on shoestring budgets.

The late 20th century Saturday Morning eras of tv was a gift. pic.twitter.com/ZwMJ4gRX0k

— Dan Veesenmeyer (@dveese) November 26, 2023

Boll, Krofft’s longtime rep, shared news of his death in a statement. “On behalf of the Krofft family and Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures, I have been asked to announce the passing of their brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather,” he shared, “the legendary and iconic industry mogul, Marty Krofft.”

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Krofft’s brother, Sid, who was born on July 30, 1929, survives him, as does their other brother Harry, daughters Deanna, Kristina and Kendra, grandchildren Taylor, Karson, Griffin, Georgia and Drake, and great-grandchild Maddox.

Marty Krofft was the King of Saturday of Saturday Mornings

The brothers are responsible for several beloved shows / Ralph Nelson/©Universal/courtesy Everett Collection

Krofft and his brother built a television empire that had them known as the rulers of weekend morning television. While their names are perhaps most famously tied to the psychedelic H.R. Pufnstuf and Land of the Lost, Krofft is also the name behind Donny and Marie, Pryor’s Place, and D.C. Follies. The latter starred Fred Willard as a bartender who invited puppet versions of political figures into his bar.

This program poked fun at all sorts of political individuals in such a way that even the subject of a joke found humor in it. According to ABC News, Ronald Reagan personally called up Krofft from the White House to voice his appreciation for his jokes, even the ones aimed at himself.

Puppeteers Marty Krofft (left) and Sid Krofft (right) with puppets Collette (front left) and Judy (front right), 1965. ph: Mario Casilli / TV Guide / Courtesy Everett Collection

In 2018, Krofft and his brother received the Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. In 2020, the brothers also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Rest in peace, the King of Saturday Mornings.