In Memoriam

This man conquered it all – Broadway, films, radio and television (both live and animation)… In 1937 he appeared in the Broadway productions Hitch Your Wagon and Too Many Heroes… In films he played James Dean’s father in Rebel Without a Cause (1955). He also played the original Joe Randolph in the film Here Come the Nelsons. The film would later lead to their long running television show; however Lyle Talbot took on the role of Joe Randolph. Starting in 1949 he began providing the voice of the beloved cartoon characters Mr. Magoo and Smokey the Genie in several productions. Eventually he became a staple on episodic television appearing on such shows as "To Tell the Truth", "The Bob Newhart Show", "The Match Game", "Pantomime Quiz", "What's My Line?", "I've Got a Secret", "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour", "The Joan Rivers Show", "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson", "Ro

It is good to be back...as stated in my previous post, In Memoriam will be updated on a weekly basis now instead of daily. But enough of the nuts and bolts...on with the tribute. Today's man of the hour is one of my personal favorites. He had a terrific voice and found himself appearing on just about every hit radio program of the day. He could be heard on "My Friend Irma", "The Edgar Bergen-Charlie McCarthy Show", "My Favorite Husband", "Life with Luigi", "Our Miss Brooks", "Amos 'N' Andy", "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show", "The Alan Young Show", "The Eddie Cantor Show", "The Dinah Shore Show", "Escape", "The Great Gildersleeve", "The Jack Carson Show", "The Life of Riley", "Lights Out", "Lux Radio Theater", "The Martin and Lewis Show" and "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." He was

Hi! Unfortunately I am coming to a point where I can not update "In Memoriam" everyday so the posts are going to be done weekly. The next one will be Sunday, September 20, 2009. Thank you! -Z

He was a very distinguished character actor that always took any role he played very seriously. Most often he could be found playing stern people in positions of power such as judges, doctors, lawyers or politicians… He began on television in 1949 on “Hands of Murder” and went onto appear on such shows as “Actor’s Studio”, “The Philco Television Playhouse”, “Captain Video and His Video Rangers”, “The Secret Storm”, “Inner Sanctum”, “Studio One”, “The Nurses”, “Barnaby Jones”, “Kojak”, “Petrocelli”, “The Tony Randall Show”, “The Bionic Woman”, “The Six Million Dollar Man”, “The Rockford Files”, “Hawaii Five-O”, “Vega$”, “Lou Grant”, “Hart to Hart”, “Nero Wolfe”, “Taxi”, “Quincy M.E.”, “Little House on the Prairie”, “Magnum P.I.”, “Remington Steele”, “Benson”, “St. Elsewhere”, “Murder, She Wrote”, “Highway to Heaven”, “Scarecrow & Mrs. King”, “Hotel”, “Columbo” and “Law & Order.” In more permanent roles he appeared on “As the World Turns” from 1960 to 1962. From 1981 to 1982

This is an additional post to remember a great actor who died yesterday... His long career began in 1951 with a few film appearances. On television he appeared on such programs as "The Lone Ranger", "Stage 7", "Dragnet", "Adventures of Superman", "Harbourmaster", "Playhouse 90", "Philip Marlowe", "Death Valley Days", "Dr. Kildare", "Marcus Welby, M.D.", "The New Perry Mason", "Medical Center", "Police Woman", "Harry O", "Ironside", "Mannix", "McMillan & Wife", "Police Story", "Starsky and Hutch", "Charlie's Angels", "Hawaii Five-O", "Trapper John M.D.", "The Love Boat", "Vega$", "T.J. Hooker", "Fantasy Island", "Murder, She Wrote", " Magnum P.I.", "Hotel" and "Cagney & Lacey."

One of my personal favorites…this man’s voice and appearance sent shivers down my spine. He knew how to capture suspense and he knew how to act…his achievements are huge and his list of work is miles long. I am just going to briefly mention only some of the projects this great actor was involved in. Some of his films include The Song of Bernadette, The Eve of St. Mark, The Invisible Man, and House of the Long Shadows, The Whales of August and Edward Scissorhands… On television he appeared on “Playhouse 90”, “The Jack Benny Program”, “F-Troop”, “Batman”, “The Red Skelton Show”, “Ellery Queen”, “Trapper John, M.D.”, “Get Smart”, “Love, American Style” and “Here’s Lucy.” He played Simon Templar on radio’s “The Saint” from 1947 until 1951…His Broadway career spanned from the 1930’s through the late 1970’s…A class act all the way…his passing was a great loss for the industry… In Memoriam Remembers: Vincent Price Please remember that the works mentioned above are only a few examples...h

He was one of the greatest "straight laced" actors I've ever seen... His career began in 1947 and he was soon featured in such television programs as "Suspense", "Inner Sanctum", "The United States Steel Hour", "The Philco Television Playhouse", "Goodyear Television Playhouse", "Studio One", "Rawhide", "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "The Untouchables", "Route 66", "The Twilight Zone", "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre", "Wagon Train", "The Defenders", "The Fugitive", "Kojak", "Maude", "Quincy M.E.", "Murder, She Wrote", "Hotel" and the 1980's revival of "The Twilight Zone." In 1955 he had regular roles on the programs "Valiant Lady" and "The Greatest Gift." From 1962 until 1966 he held the re

This quirky raspy voiced character actor began his career in the 1940’s. Between 1940 and 1982 he appeared in many Broadway productions and walked away with a few Tony award nominations. Also in 1940 he appeared in his first film Hey, Rookie. Some of his other film credits include Reckless Age, Enter Laughing, The Incident, Caveman, Cheaper to Keep Her and Arthur 2: On the Rocks… He soon began appearing on television and appeared on such programs as “The Garry Moore Show”, “Toast of the Town”, “The Dean Martin Show”, “The Mike Douglas Show”, “Car 54, Where are You?”, “The Edge of Night”, “The Defenders”, “The Ghost & Mrs. Muir”, “Get Smart”, “McMillan & Wife”, “Rhoda”, “Police Woman”, “Lou Grant”, “Soap”, “Taxi”, “Alice”, “The Love Boat”, “Trapper John, M.D.”, “Hotel”, “Mama’s Family”, “Night Court”, “The Ellen Burstyn Show”, “thirtysomething” and “Head of the Class.” In 1978 he played Grandpa in the television series “Apple Pie.” Unfortunately the series was canceled after s

There will be no post today in honor of a late performer Instead.... In Memoriam Remembers: September 11, 2001

It has been two years… I still remember the day I heard the news. I was sitting in the doctor’s office and my bag was on the floor. I had set my cell phone to vibrate, I usually turn it off when I am in with the doctor because of the sign in the waiting room but no one ever calls me so I figured I was safe. Anyway the phone vibrated and the doctor asked if I wanted to answer it and I said no. When I got to my car I played my messages and there was one from my mother. She said she had just heard and she was so sorry…so I called her back immediately and asked in a panic what happened…? And I found out… She was the greatest dramatic actress that was ever on film, radio or television. I loved her in the films Stage Fright, Johnny Belinda and How to Commit Marriage… She was marvelous on radio’s “Suspense” program in the episode “Catch Me if You Can…” And needless to say she was absolutely magnificent as Angela Channing on television’s “Falcon Crest” from 1981 to 1990. Sh

If she hadn’t left us on August 24, 2001 she would’ve turned 85 today… Her career began in the 1940’s and her film credits include Out of the Past, The Big Steal, Dick Tracy, Run for the Sun, Billie and Immediate Family… On television she appeared on such programs as “Celebrity Playhouse”, “The Ford Television Theatre”, “Suspicion”, “Playhouse 90”, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”, “Bonanza”, “and Burke’s Law ”,“ Columbo, Quincy M.E. ”,“ Saturday Night Live ”,“ Murder, She Wrote” and Twin Peaks” She had a recurring role as Charlotte Pershing on “Falcon Crest” during the 1984-1985 television season… Her final screen role was in the film Perfect Mate in 1996… In Memoriam Remembers: Jane Greer

He began as a child in 1938… The films on his long list of credits include Murder in the Family, The Pied Piper, My Friend Flicka, Lassie Come Home, Macbeth, The Greatest Story Ever Told, That Darn Cat!, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Poseidon Adventure, Planet of the Apes, Evil Under the Sun, The Evil Inside Me and A Bug’s Life… In the 1950’s and 1960’s he appeared on Broadway… On television he appeared on such shows as “Toast of the Town”, “Person to Person”, “Pantomime Quiz”, “Password”, “The Andy Williams Show”, “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson”, “The Carol Burnett Show”, “The Hollywood Squares”, “The New Hollywood Squares”, “American Masters”, “Intimate Portrait”, “Biography”, “Family Theatre”, “Lux Video Theatre”, “Campbell Playhouse”, “Robert Montgomery Presents”, “Kraft Television Theatre”, “General Electric Theater”, “Playhouse 90”, “The United States Steel Hour”, “The Twilight Zone”, “Sunday Showcase”, “Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre”, “Medical Center”, “Iro

Another name from the roster of great character actors that helped to shape all kinds of wonderful and memorable stories… Her career began in 1931 with the film A Night Like This and she went onto appear in many of the 20th century’s greatest productions including Happy, Stormy Weather, The Glass Key, Casablanca, Sherlock Holmes Faces Death, National Velvet, Fancy Pants, The Secret Garden, Strangers on a Train, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Doctor Doolittle and The Sound of Music… On television she was always available to play a neighbor, society matron, babysitter, grandmother or aunt…her television credits include but are not limited to: “Mr. & Mrs. North”, “I Love Lucy”, “Fireside Theatre”, “Adventures of Superman”, “General Electric Theater”, “Make Room for Daddy”, “Schlitz Playhouse of Stars”, “Four Star Playhouse”, “Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre”, “Private Secretary”, “Letter to Loretta”, “The Life of Riley”, “The Real McCoys”, “The Gale Storm Show”, “Alfred Hitchcoc

***Originally I planned to pay tribute to Jane Darwell today but I decided to wait until October 15th which would've been her 130th birthday.*** This redheaded character actress began in films in 1942 and continued to make appearances until 1992... On radio she could be heard on programs such as "Duffy's Tavern", "Our Miss Brooks" and "My Favorite Husband" to name a few... It was her career as a character actress on television that has earned her a place in the history books...she made guest appearances on such programs as "Letter to Loretta", "Our Miss Brooks", "I Love Lucy", "December Bride", "The Thin Man", "Maverick", "Pete and Gladys", "The Flintstones", "The Jack Benny Program", "The Lucy Show", "Wagon Train", "The Colgate Comedy Hour", "The Red Skelton Show", "McHale's Navy", "The Twilight Zo

One of the screen's most beloved actors... With his stern voice and demanding presents he created a standard that most other actors would have to live up to. Between 1930 and 1967 he appeared in 78 films... His lesser known films include The Strong Arm, Up the River, It's a Small World, The Sea of Glass and Big City... The films that will be remembered forever include Boys Town, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Thirty Seconds over Tokyo, State of the Union, Father of the Bride, The Old Man and the Sea, Inherit the Wind, Judgment at Nuremberg, How the West Was Won and It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World. His final film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner was released on December 12, 1967, seven months after his passing. As Henry Drummond in Inherit the Wind he was absolutely brilliant...a revered actor...a brilliant man... In Memoriam Remembers: Spencer Tracy

He appeared in a handful of films including Sunset Blvd. and You’re in the Navy Now… It was his role as a straight laced police sergeant that earned him a place in television history. The cop show he created…“Dragnet” began on radio in the 1940’s and made the transition to television in 1951. It stayed on the air until 1959 but was then resurrected for an additional four year run in 1967… He also made appearances on “Adam-12”, “Project U.F.O.” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” As a producer, director and writer he lent his talents to “Emergency!”, “Adam -12”, “77 Sunset Strip” and “Mobile One.” When he died in 1982 the Los Angeles Police Department honored him by retiring the badge number 714 and giving him an official policeman’s funeral… In Memoriam Remembers: Jack Webb

A true man about television… This silver haired character actor appeared along side of some of the best. His television credits include “Fireside Theatre”, “The Phil Silvers Show”, “Sea Hunt”, “Peter Gunn”, “Richard Diamond, Private Detective”, “The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor”, “Zane Grey Theater”, “Bat Masterson”, “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”, “Dr. Kildare”, “The Dick Powell Show”, “Route 66”, “The Rifleman”, “Perry Mason”, “The Untouchables”, “Kraft Mystery Theater”, “The Twilight Zone”, “The Outer Limits”, “My Favorite Martian”, “Death Valley Days”, “Ben Casey”, “The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet”, “The Fugitive”, “The Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea”, “Kraft Suspense Theatre”, “Rawhide”, “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour”, “The Big Valley”, “Lassie”, “Mannix”, “Bonanza”, “The Virginian”, “Hawaii Five-O”, “McMillian & Wife”, “The F.B.I.”, “Gunsmoke”, “Cannon”, “The Bob Newhart Show”, “The Rockford Files”, “Lou Grant”, “The Jeffersons”, “Checking In”, “Hart to Hart”, “Quincy

I ran out of time today, tomorrow there will be two posts....! -Z

This spirited soul made a mark in both comedy and drama… He appeared on Broadway and in a series of hit films including The Longest Day and The Poseidon Adventure… On television he appeared on his own self-titled variety show from 1952 until 1955. Some of his other television appearances include “The Milton Berle Show”, “Person to Person”, “The Walter Winchell Show”, “The Perry Como Show”, “Playhouse 90”, “The Dinah Shore Chevy Show”, “I’ve Got a Secret”, “What’s My Line?”, “Password”, “The Andy Williams Show”, “Toast of the Town”, “The Jackie Gleason Show”, “The Kraft Music Hall”, “The Merv Griffin Show”, “The Hollywood Squares”, “The Mike Douglas Show”, “Studio One”, “Suspense”, “Death Valley Days”, “The United States Steel Hour”, “General Electric Theater”, “Ben Casey”, “The Bob Hope Show”, “Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre”, “The Danny Thomas Hour”, “Love, American Style”, “Little House on the Prairie”, “Wonder Woman”, “Vega$”, “The Love Boat”, “Fantasy Island”, “227”, “Th

Those words written above were spoken by the great entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr. Even though today is September 1st and Lucille actually passed away on April 26th I am taking this opportunity to recognize the 20th anniversary of her passing. Her illuminating appeal has shined for more than half a century. She has been seen in over 80 countries…her three major TV series are available on DVD… From the zany little housewife that emerged from “My Favorite Husband” to the health crazed hip grandma she last played on “Life with Lucy” Lucille Ball put her heart and soul into everything she did. Her signature role is, was and always will be Lucy Ricardo and her crowning achievement is, was and always will be “I Love Lucy.” She drew her last breath twenty years ago this year…it hardly seems possible… The body that kept her on Earth may have stopped functioning but when she passed into God’s Eternal Kingdom in Heaven a part of her spirit entered each and everyone who loves her. George Burns