Hall County's Ed Spivia recalled as pioneer of film industry - Gainesville Times

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Hall County's Ed Spivia recalled as pioneer of film industry

Barbara Spivia shows off her her husband Ed Spivia's wall of fame Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at her Hall County home. Georgia owes much of its Hollywood connection to Ed Spivia, a longtime Hall County resident who died Saturday. As the state’s first film commissioner, he helped lure movie making to Georgia, such as “Smokey and the Bandit.” - photo by Scott Rogers

07312019 SPIVIA 1.jpg — Barbara Spivia shows off her her husband Ed Spivia's wall of fame Tuesday, July 30, 2019, at her Hall County home. Georgia owes much of its Hollywood connection to Ed Spivia, a longtime Hall County resident who died Saturday. As the state’s first film commissioner, he helped lure movie making to Georgia, such as “Smokey and the Bandit.” - photo by Scott Rogers

Long before Netflix and “The Walking Dead,” Georgia’s film-making force was Edwin D. “Big Ed” Spivia of Hall County.