Aaron Spelling dies of cancer

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BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., June 23 (UPI) -- Producer Aaron Spelling, whose TV hits included "Dynasty" and "Beverly Hills 90210," died Friday of cancer at 83, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Spelling died at his home, People magazine reported.

A native of Texas and graduate of Southern Methodist University, Spelling got into television as a writer and producer. "The Mod Squad," his first major hit, began its run in 1968.

Most of his shows were short on artistic pretensions and long on fantasy and sexual innuendo, People said.

"I can't say this of every show I ever produced, but I loved 'Charlie's Angels,'" Spelling said in a 1988 interview with People. "It put us over the top and made our company financially secure and incredibly desirable."

Spelling is survived by his second wife, Candy, and his children, Randy and Tori.

Tori, who starred in "Beverly Hills 90210," had recently been estranged from her father but rushed back to California and was at his bedside before he died, People reported.