'Andy Griffith' producer Aaron Ruben dies at 95

(AP) — Aaron Ruben, who produced such TV hits as "The Andy Griffith Show," ''Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C." and "Sanford and Son," has died. He was 95.

His son, Tom Ruben, says the elder Ruben died Saturday at his Beverly Hills home from complications of pneumonia.

Aaron Ruben began his career after World War II as a comedy writer for radio shows featuring Milton Berle, Fred Allen and other stars. In the 1950s he moved into television, writing for comedy shows and directing.

He wrote for and produced "The Andy Griffith Show" for five seasons, and was executive producer of the Gomer Pyle spinoff.

Aaron Ruben also wrote for and was the initial producer of the 1970s hit "Sanford and Son."

In later years, he was a court-appointed special advocate for abused and abandoned children.

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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com