Candy Spelling

{{Short description|American author and theater producer (born 1945)}} {{Infobox person | name = Candy Spelling | image = Candy_Spelling_2009_Public.jpg | caption = Spelling in 2009 | birth_name = Carole Gene Marer | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1945|09|20}} | birth_place = [[Beverly Hills, California]], U.S. | alma_mater = [[Beverly Hills High School]] | occupation = {{flatlist| * Author * philanthropist * television personality * theater producer }} | years_active = | net_worth = | spouse = {{plainlist| * {{marriage|Howard Frederick Leveson|1963|1964|reason=divorce}} * {{marriage|[[Aaron Spelling]]|1968|2006|reason=died}} }} | children = {{hlist|[[Tori Spelling|Tori]]|[[Randy Spelling|Randy]]}} }} '''Carole Gene "Candy" Spelling''' (née '''Marer'''; born September 20, 1945) is an American author, theater producer, and philanthropist.<ref name="NYT">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/26/fashion/Candy-Spelling-Is-Producing-Again.html|title=Another Spelling Production|work=New York Times|date=25 June 2014 |access-date=2018-10-24|language=en|last1=Bernstein |first1=Jacob }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/05/wayne-spelling200905|title=The George Wayne Q&A: Candy Spelling|last=Wayne|first=George|work=Vanities|access-date=2018-10-24|language=en}}</ref> She is the widow of [[Aaron Spelling]], to whom she was married from 1968 until he died in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/jun/25/usnews.broadcasting|title=The king of prime-time TV dies at 83|last=Harris|first=Paul|date=2006-06-24|website=the Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-10-24}}</ref>

==Early life and education== Carole Gene Marer was born in [[Beverly Hills, California]], to Augusta (née Rosen) and Merritt Marer, and grew up in a [[Jewish]] home. She has an elder brother, Anthony Marer (born July 24, 1942).<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://orjewishlife.com/randy-spelling-from-glittery-hollywood-to-fulfilling-portland/|title=Randy Spelling: from glittery Hollywood to fulfilling Portland {{!}} Oregon Jewish Life|date=2015-11-19|work=Oregon Jewish Life|access-date=2018-10-24|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121103004012/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/645066572.html?dids=645066572:645066572&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=May+31,+1977&author=&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Obituary+1+--+No+Title&pqatl=google Obituary for Aaron Spelling], ''L.A. Times'' (cached)</ref> Her father was a salesman who founded a chain of furniture stores. Although initially successful, the chain failed as a result of overexpansion.<ref name="NYT" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=8179|title=Spell Binding|work=JewishJournal.com|first=Naomi|last=Pfefferman|date=2002-03-01|archivedate=April 30, 2008|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430010234/http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=8179}}</ref> She attended [[Beverly Hills High School]] and [[Chouinard Art Institute]] in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://people.com/archive/from-candies-to-comedies-the-spellings-of-hollywood-have-the-recipe-for-success-vol-20-no-16/|title=From Candies to Comedies, the Spellings of Hollywood Have the Recipe for Success|work=PEOPLE.com|access-date=2018-10-24|language=en}}</ref>

==Books and television== Spelling's autobiography, ''Stories from Candyland'', released in March 2009, hit [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''The New York Times'' best seller list]] two weeks after publication.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://la-confidential-magazine.com/buy-the-book|title=Candy Spelling Writes Stories from Candyland|website=la-confidential-magazine.com|language=en|access-date=2019-03-09}}</ref> Her memoir, ''Candy at Last'', was published by [[Wiley (publisher)|Wiley]] in May 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/confidential/candy-spelling-dishes-bionic-lover-new-book-article-1.1805568|title=Candy Spelling dishes on 'bionic' lover, rift with daughter Tori Spelling in new book|last=Confidential|website=nydailynews.com|access-date=2019-03-09}}</ref> She has written for [[TMZ]] and the ''[[Huffington Post]],'' among others.

In December 2011 and January 2012, Spelling produced and starred in ''Selling Spelling Manor,'' a two-episode special for HGTV that documented the process of moving from and selling [[The Manor (Los Angeles)|her 123-room, 56,500 square foot home]]. In 2013, she produced and starred in ''Beyond Spelling Manor'', a three-episode series about the construction of her subsequent residence, a $35 million condominium, and her search for an apartment in New York City. The series also aired on HGTV.<ref name="Variety TV">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/candy-spelling-set-reveal-35-603560|title=Candy Spelling Set to Reveal $35 Million 'Manor in the Sky' on HGTV|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=9 August 2013 |language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/29/beyond-spelling-manor-premiere-penthouse-video_n_3669199.html|title='Beyond Spelling Manor' Premiere: Candy Spelling Shows Off 18,000 Square-Foot Penthouse (VIDEO)|date=2013-07-29|work=Huffington Post|access-date=2019-03-15|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Broadway== Spelling began producing theater on Broadway in 2010. Her first co-production, ''[[Promises, Promises (musical)|Promises, Promises]]'', starred [[Sean Hayes (actor)|Sean Hayes]] and [[Kristin Chenoweth]] and was nominated for four Tony Awards. Her second Broadway show, ''[[How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (musical)|How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying]]'' opened with [[Daniel Radcliffe]] in the lead role. In 2012, she produced ''[[Nice Work If You Can Get It (musical)|Nice Work If You Can Get It]]'', which was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and won for Featured Actor (Michael McGrath) and Featured Actress (Judy Kaye). 2013's ''[[After Midnight (musical)|After Midnight]]'', based on Duke Ellington's years at the [[Cotton Club]], was nominated for seven Tony Awards with [[Warren Carlyle]] winning for Outstanding Choreography.<ref name="NYT" />

Spelling went on to produce ''[[The Color Purple (musical)|The Color Purple]]'', the winner of the 2016 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. [[Cynthia Erivo]], who portrayed the character Celie, won the Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/legit/reviews/the-color-purple-review-broadway-jennifer-hudson-1201657768/|title=Broadway Review: 'The Color Purple' with Jennifer Hudson, Cynthia Erivo, Danielle Brooks|last1=Stasio|first1=Marilyn|date=2015-12-11|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-03-09}}</ref> In 2018, her production credits included ''[[The Iceman Cometh]]'', which starred [[Denzel Washington]] and received eight Tony Award nominations; the revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, ''Carousel'', which received Tony Awards for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Lindsay Mendez) and Best Choreography (Justin Peck); and ''[[Three Tall Women]]'' by [[Edward Albee]], which earned Tony Awards for [[Laurie Metcalf]] (Featured Actress) and [[Glenda Jackson]] (Lead Actress).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/person/candy-spelling-vault-0000023862|title=Candy Spelling|website=Playbill|language=en|access-date=2019-03-09}}</ref>

==Philanthropy== [[File:Candy Spelling in 1970 (cropped).jpg|thumb|Candy Spelling in 1970]] In 2012, Spelling was named to the board of directors of [[American Humane]], an animal welfare organization. She was named vice chair of the board in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanhumane.org/about-us/staff-board/|title=Staff & Board|website=www.americanhumane.org|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> She is a member of the UCLA Health System Board,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.uclahealth.org/u-magazine/ucla-health-board-inaugural-meeting|title=UCLA Health Board Inaugural Meeting - U Magazine - UCLA Health - Los Angeles, CA|website=www.uclahealth.org|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> a member of the board of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, and a founding board member of the Los Angeles Parks Foundation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lawac.org/About-Us|title=About Us|website=www.lawac.org|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> She helped to expand Centro De Niños, downtown Los Angeles daycare center for underprivileged families, and served for 10 years as a Board of Governors Member of LA's Best, an after-school enrichment program for children in need.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1998/voices/columns/smithsonian-has-nothing-on-the-spellings-1117863231/|title=Smithsonian has nothing on the Spellings|last1=Archerd|first1=Army|date=1998-03-27|website=Variety|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref> She was honored for her public service by the President's Council of Service and Civic Participation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/05/wayne-spelling200905|title=The George Wayne Q&A: Candy Spelling|last=Wayne|first=George|website=Vanities|date=14 April 2009 |language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/candy-spelling|title=Candy Spelling: Charity Work & Causes|website=Look to the Stars|language=en|access-date=2019-03-15}}</ref>

Spelling was elected to the Board of Directors of L.A. Inc., the [[Los Angeles World Affairs Council]], the L.A. Visitors Bureau and the [[Los Angeles Convention Center]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyle |first=Diana Addison |date=2026-01-09 |title=COVER STORY: Candy Spelling |url=https://wmlifestyle.com/cover-story-candy-spelling/ |access-date=2026-04-24 |website=Westlake Malibu Lifestyle Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Personal life== She married producer and screenwriter Aaron Spelling in 1968. The couple had two children: daughter [[Tori Spelling|Victoria Davey ("Tori")]] (born 1973) and son [[Randy Spelling|Randy Gene Spelling]] (born 1978). They appeared in several of Aaron's productions, most notably in ''[[Beverly Hills, 90210]]''.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/2020/popup?id=7152490 "Eye Candy: Spelling's Sweet Life"]. ''ABC News''.</ref> She has seven grandchildren, two from Randy and five from Tori.

Spelling would serve as the [[executor]] to her husband's [[estate (law)|estate]] and inherit the bulk of the estate as well.<ref name=daughterestrangement>https://daniellemayoras.com/celebrity-legacies-aaron-spelling-left-behind-massive-fortune-a-broken-family/</ref><ref name=estate>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX8BSwGADa4&t=1769s|title=The Spelling Family's $500 Million Inheritance War|author=Star Power - Celebrity Documentaries & Biographies|publisher=YouTube|date=February 16, 2026|accessdate=April 19, 2026}}</ref> Though not estranged from her son Randy, Spelling was for many years estranged from her daughter Tori,<ref name=estate /><ref name="spelling 2">{{cite web|url=http://cache-origin.eonline.com/uberblog/archive.jsp?contentId=483d8511-c993-43d5-a0c5-f9b4d0285d1d|title=Spelling Out Tori's Inheritance|work=E! Online|access-date=August 12, 2008}}{{dead link|date=November 2012}}</ref><ref name=daughterestrangement /> with the two finally reconciling in 2022.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbs8.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-tonight/tori-spelling-posts-mother039s-day-tribute-to-formerly-estranged-mom-candy-spelling/603-27e0d37b-5fe7-4189-b8af-b4d81379ae5c|title=Tori Spelling Posts Mother's Day Tribute to Formerly Estranged Mom Candy Spelling|first=Rachel|last=McRady|publisher=CBS 8 San Diego|date=May 13, 2024|accessdate=April 19, 2026}}</ref>

In 2009, three years after her husband's death, Spelling put their Holmby Hills mansion on the market for $150 million. It was the most expensive residential listing in the United States at the time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-mar-28-fi-candy28-story.html|title=Candy Spelling's Holmby Hills mansion listed for $150 million|last1=Beale|first1=Lauren|date=2009-03-28|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-03-15|last2=Hong|first2=Peter Y.|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> It was sold to [[Petra Ecclestone]] for $85 million in 2011.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190411053046/https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-mansion-heiress-idUKTRE76E4PP20110715 Formula 1 heiress buys for $85 million Hollywood mansion|Reuters]</ref>

On February 16, 2026, YouTube channel ''Star Power - Celebrity Documentaries & Biographies'' would release the documentary ''The Spelling Family's $500 Million Inheritance War'', which focused mainly on the years long feud between Spelling and her daughter over her husband's high valued [[Estate (law)|estate]].<ref name=estate>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LX8BSwGADa4&t=1769s|title=The Spelling Family's $500 Million Inheritance War|author=Star Power - Celebrity Documentaries & Biographies|publisher=YouTube|date=February 16, 2026|accessdate=April 19, 2026}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{official}} * {{IBDB name|485292}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Spelling, Candy}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:1945 births]] [[Category:Beverly Hills High School alumni]] [[Category:Writers from Los Angeles]] [[Category:HuffPost writers and columnists]] [[Category:American philanthropists]] [[Category:American socialites]] [[Category:Jewish American non-fiction writers]] [[Category:Jewish American women writers]] [[Category:American women columnists]] [[Category:21st-century American Jews]] [[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]] [[Category:21st-century American women writers]] [[Category:Spelling family|Candy]] [[Category:American people of Hungarian-Jewish descent]] [[Category:American cheerleaders]] [[Category:Housewives]] [[Category:American women non-fiction writers]] [[Category:People from Holmby Hills, Los Angeles]] [[Category:Writers from Beverly Hills, California]] [[Category:Mass media people from Beverly Hills, California]]