Television Producer. Throughout the 1960s, he was the creator of several classic television sitcoms. He created and produced "The Beverly Hillbillies" in 1962, "Petticoat Junction" (1963), and "Green Acres" (1965). Born in Independence, Missouri, he graduated from Kansas City School of Law in 1932, and was advised by close friend and future President Harry S. Truman to follow a career in law, but Henning fancied a career as a Hollywood writer. In 1939, he married Ruth Barth, the woman who would be the creative force behind his work. He spent 30 years in Hollywood in both radio and television trying to get his ideas realized. Henning and his wife Ruth favored making television programs that went along with their rural background. He hit it big when a script written by him was used on the "Fibber McGee and Molly" radio show, which lead to a job on "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show." His first success on television came when he launched "The Bob Cummings Show" in 1955, but it was "The Beverly Hillbillies" that brought him the recognition and fortune he had longed for. He spun it off with "Petticoat Junction" and "Green Acres." He even cast his daughter, actress Linda Henning, as 'Betty Jo Bradley' on "Petticoat Junction." He also worked as a writer on films including: "Lover, Come Back" (1961) and "Bedtime Story" (1964). In 1971, all three of his shows were cancelled. Paul retired, although he returned to make a reunion movie for "The Beverly Hillbillies" in the early 1980s. Paul last worked was on a project he and his wife called their brainchild, a remake of "Bedtime Story," which became the 1988 theatrical film "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." The sudden death of his wife in 2002 contributed substantially to his decline in health. Paul Henning died in a Burbank hospital of natural causes, at the age of 93.
Television Producer. Throughout the 1960s, he was the creator of several classic television sitcoms. He created and produced "The Beverly Hillbillies" in 1962, "Petticoat Junction" (1963), and "Green Acres" (1965). Born in Independence, Missouri, he graduated from Kansas City School of Law in 1932, and was advised by close friend and future President Harry S. Truman to follow a career in law, but Henning fancied a career as a Hollywood writer. In 1939, he married Ruth Barth, the woman who would be the creative force behind his work. He spent 30 years in Hollywood in both radio and television trying to get his ideas realized. Henning and his wife Ruth favored making television programs that went along with their rural background. He hit it big when a script written by him was used on the "Fibber McGee and Molly" radio show, which lead to a job on "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show." His first success on television came when he launched "The Bob Cummings Show" in 1955, but it was "The Beverly Hillbillies" that brought him the recognition and fortune he had longed for. He spun it off with "Petticoat Junction" and "Green Acres." He even cast his daughter, actress Linda Henning, as 'Betty Jo Bradley' on "Petticoat Junction." He also worked as a writer on films including: "Lover, Come Back" (1961) and "Bedtime Story" (1964). In 1971, all three of his shows were cancelled. Paul retired, although he returned to make a reunion movie for "The Beverly Hillbillies" in the early 1980s. Paul last worked was on a project he and his wife called their brainchild, a remake of "Bedtime Story," which became the 1988 theatrical film "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels." The sudden death of his wife in 2002 contributed substantially to his decline in health. Paul Henning died in a Burbank hospital of natural causes, at the age of 93.
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