In Memoriam

He was one of the greatest comedians of all time. His career spanned 60 years and became beloved by everyone. Born on February 14, 1894 he passed away on this day eighty years later… In 1911 he began his career in vaudeville and then moved to radio in 1932. It was while on radio that he developed the recurring gags that he became famous for including his insistence that he was only 39 years old, his cheapness, his fictional feud with fellow comedian Fred Allen, his violin and the classic routine “your money or your life.” In 1950 the program moved to television but he continued to do the radio show as well. While the radio program ended in 1955 the television version hung on for another ten years… He was a true class act and he made appearances on such television programs as “The Jackie Gleason Show”, “General Electric Theater”, “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show”, “Make Room for Daddy”, “The Lucy Show”, “Here’s Lucy”, “The George Burns Show”, “The Smothers Brothers Comedy...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another classic TV star leaves us right before the holiday... Her career might have been brief but she appeared on one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time...! From 1961 to 1966 she co-starred opposite Alan Young in the highly popular show "Mister Ed" which featured the beloved talking horse... Other television credits include "Pantomime Quiz", "The Hollywood Squares", "The Millionaire", "The Untouchables", "Perry Mason", "Bonanza", "Love, American Style", "The Mod Squad" and "Sea Hunt." She appeared in the 1960 movie Thunder in Carolina... In Memoriam Remembers: Connie Hines

Sadly a great lady leaves us during the holiday season... She appeared in such films as Death Becomes Her and Cruel Intentions... On television she was involved with such shows as "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman", "Blossom", "A Different World", "Friends", "NYPD Blue", "Caroline in the City", "Ally McBeal", "Any Day Now" and "ER." In the 1970's and 1980's she was a regular player on the children's show "Sesame Street." For me she will always be Rose Lee Holloway, the sassy landlady on "227" which ran from 1985 to 1990... In Memoriam Remembers: Alaina Reed Hall

Hello all! I am writing to you with some very exciting news. Between January 4, 2009 and the present In Memoriam has posted tribute to 222 great performers. I am so very proud of that accomplishment and I couldn’t be happier. For those of you who follow In Memoriam daily or even weekly will be disappointed for a little while. The December 8th posting will be the last for the next few weeks. Unless there is an unfortunate passing in the meantime I will not return to you until December 26th. After that there will be no postings until after the first of the year. In 2010, I will no longer be posting random tributes on a regular basis. The focus is going to be more on remembering people on their birthdays and death anniversaries. There will be some random tributes and of course tributes as the passing happen. So until the 26th I hope you all have the most delightful holiday season. For you Jewish folks enjoy your holiday this coming weekend and for anyone celebrating Baby Jesus’ birthday o...

Born on July 14, 1893 he became a prominent writer, producer and actor eventually becoming most beloved for his portrayal as Andy Brown on the television version of "Amos 'N' Andy" from 1951 to 1953... In recognition of the 40th anniversary of his passing... In Memoriam Remembers: Spencer Williams, Jr.

He appeared in such films as Invaders from Mars and Soldier of Fortune... On Broadway he graced the stage in Kismet, Destry Rides Again and La Cage aux Folles... On television he appeared on "The Name of the Game", "Our Miss Brooks", "Bat Masterson" and "Burke's Law" In 2001 he had a small role in the made for television movie "These Old Broads" with Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins, Debbie Reynolds and Shirley MacLaine... In Memoriam Remembers: Gene Barry

During the early years he spent ten years performing in summer stock. He made his first film appearance in 1959 and went on to appear in more than two dozen productions including The Strawberry Statement, Fuzz, Baby Blue Marine, Eye of the Tiger, Only the Lonely and Maverick just to name a few... On television he appeared on such programs as "Suspense", "The United States Steel Hour", "Maverick", "Tales of Wells Fargo", "Letter to Loretta", "Perry Mason", "Peter Gunn", "Rawhide", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "Leave it to Beaver", "77 Sunset Strip", "The Lloyd Bridges Show", "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour", "The Dick Powell Show", "The Fugitive", "Hazel", "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea", "The Andy Griffith Show", "The Dick Van Dyke Show", "Peyton Place", "The F.B.I.", "Ironsi...

Whenever I hear his name I immediately just think of the words "The Man" On Broadway he brought his style and class to Annie Get Your Gun, Guys and Dolls and The Fantasticks just to name a few... In 1955 he made his first film appearance and would go onto to appear in more than two dozen films including Guys and Dolls, Mad Dog Call, Brewster's Millions, F/X, I Love N.Y., Dirty Dancing, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Out for Justice, Toy Soldiers, Beauty and the Beast and Universal Soldier... On television he found another home however. From 1980 to 1981 he was a recurring player on the daytime soap opera "One Life to Live." In 1985, he made a guest appearance on the CBS mystery series "Murder, She Wrote" starring Anglea Lansbury. His character, PI Harry McGraw quickly became a favorite with audiences and in 1987 "The Law and Harry McGraw" debuted on CBS. Sadly the series only lasted one season but the Harry McGraw character continued to make o...

He had it in his blood...he was the son of Ed Wynn who was a damn fine performer in his own right... This career began on Broadway in the 1930's. Hollywood came calling soon enough and in 1942 he appeared (uncredited) in his first film - Somewhere I'll Find You. His other film credits include Song of the Thin Man, The Three Musketeers, Neptune's Daughter, Annie Get Your Gun, Angels in the Outfield, Kiss Me Kate, The Long, Long Trailer, The Glass Slipper, Touch of Evil, The AbsentMinded Professor and Loving. He was a very successful character actor on film and on television as well... His television credits include (but are not limited to) "The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show", "To Tell the Truth", "Zane Grey Theater", "What's My Line?", "The Steve Allen Show", "The New Steve Allen Show", "Family Feud", "The United States Steel Hour", "Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre", ...

On Broadway he originated the role of Oscar Madison in The Odd Couple with Art Carney playing Felix Unger in 1965. Ten years prior to that he appeared as Nathan in the revival of Guys and Dolls... He was present during the early days of television appearing on such shows as "Lux Video Theatre", "Mister Peepers", "Suspense", "Campbell Playhouse", "Studio One", "The Philco Television Playhouse", "Robert Montgomery Presents", "The United States Steel Hour", "Climax!", "Route 66", "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "General Electric Theater" and "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre." His final acting role on television was in 1977 for an episode of "Insight." As himself he appeared on "Saturday Night Live", "The Barbara Walters Special", "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson", "Intimate Portrait", "Priv...

I want to start off by saying that he was an incredible performer. This tribute is going to be much to small to truly do him any justice but I'm going to give it a shot... He was on Broadway and in 1949 he made his first film appearance. Some of his films include The Great Race, How to Murder Your Wife, The Odd Couple, It Happened to Jane, The China Syndrome, JFK, Grumpy Old Men, The Glass Harp, Grumpier Old Men, My Fellow Americans, Hamlet, Out to Sea, The Odd Couple II and The Legend of Bagger Vance... Between his first silver screen appearance in 1949 and his final in 2000 he appeared in more than sixty films, ten of them were with his good friend Walter Matthau... He made appearances in several made for television movies as well, some of the more notable being "12 Angry Men" and "Inherit the Wind." On television he spent the 1949-1950 season as the lead in the series "That Wonderful Guy." Other television appearances include "The Franc...

Unfortunately this tribute will not cover her entire body of work. She began in more than 25 films between 1948 and 2007. Her sultry voice and stunning style brought the screen to life and also made a dent on the Broadway stage. Her television credits include "The Red Buttons Show", "The Colgate Comedy Hour", "The Nat King Cole Show", "Person to Person", "What's My Line?", "Toast of the Town", "Pantomime Quiz", "That Regis Philbin Show", "The Hollywood Squares", "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson", "Late Night with Conan O'Brien", "Your Show of Shows", "Playhouse 90", "Burke's Law", "Ben Casey", "I Spy", "Mission: Impossible", "The Protectors", "Police Woman", "Miami Vice", "The Magic School Bus", "New York Undercover" and "Living Single." ...

This lady was very funny and she had a remarkable career on film, television and stage. She made her first film appearance in 1948 and before 1952 she had twenty five film appearances under her belt. By the time of her passing in 2001 she had appeared in 118 films including Singing in the Rain, The Nutty Professor, The Blues Brothers, Dragnet and The Naked Gun 33 1/3 The Final Insult… Her television credits are extremely impressive. She appeared on just about every popular program of its time. The appearances began in the 1950’s and continued into the 2000’s. Her final television role was on the animated series “As Told by Ginger.” Her character, Mrs. Gordon, was to retire but then change her mind at the last minute. When the actress passed away the script was rewritten to have Mrs. Gordon pass away as well. The episode originally aired on November 24, 2002. She began appearing on Broadway in 2000 in The Full Monty. Her illness forced her to exit the show and she made her fi...

On Broadway he was the original Felix Unger in “The Odd Couple”, on radio he impersonated presidents of the United States but on television he became a legend… His radio career included “The Henry Morgan Show”, “Man Behind the Gun”, “Land of the Lost” and “Joe and Ethel Turp Show.” In 1948 he began on television and never left. From 1948 until 1950 he was a regular player on “The Morey Amsterdam Show.” After that commitment ended he joined the struggling series “Cavalcade of Stars” on the DuMont network. The series had just taken on a new host, Jackie Gleason, who created several of his trademark characters during his first year as host. It was on the “Cavalcade of Stars” that the character of Ed Norton first appeared. When Gleason moved to CBS in 1952 and began hosting “The Jackie Gleason Show” he brought his “Cavalcade” ensemble players with him. In 1955, “The Honeymooners” was turned into a weekly half-hour sitcom that would last only one season. In the fall of 1956 Gleason...

This man had the incredible ability to play a wide variety of characters…he was everything from a drunk to a doctor to a police inspector to a super villain… He began on Broadway in the 1930’s and eventually spent some time on radio. He appeared in more than two dozen films including Stella, Adam’s Rib, My Blue Heaven, How to Marry a Millionaire and The Last Angry Man. He appeared in four different films with Marilyn Monroe, more than any other actor. He made his final appearance on the Broadway stage in 1968… On television he co-starred as Inspector Richard Queen on the detective series “Ellery Queen” from 1975 to 1976 and Dr. Amos Weatherby on “House Calls” from 1979 to 1982. In 1966 he became the first and to date the only actor to play Jervis Tetch, the Mad Hatter in any incarnation of Batman. Any other portrayals of the Mad Hatter have been done on animated programs. He made four appearances on the 1960’s television series. In 1978 he originated the role of Willard “Dig...

Even though she appeared in several films and television shows during her long career it was her ten year stint as Aunt Bee Taylor on "The Andy Griffith Show" and then "Mayberry R.F.D." that made her beloved by all... She became the living embodiment of that loving matriarch we all want...always ready with sage advice, kind words and delicious food, her character truly was golden... Whether it was getting a pilot's license, making her own pickles and marmalade or being the lone hold out on a jury her heart always went out to others... Illness slowed her down during the last years of her life and she finally lost that battle on December 6, 1989 just eight days before what would've been her 87th birthday... 20 years after her passing... In Memoriam Remembers: Frances Bavier

A special thanks to http://www.dannythestreet.com/franknelson/ for helping me with the research for this man’s radio career…. His first film appearance was to have been in 1936’s Fugitive in the Sky but his scenes were deleted from the final cut. His major contribution to the entertainment world was on radio. He lent his voice to MANY programs, all of them the best. It has been noted that he made more than 10,000 guest appearances on various programs during his career. “Lux Radio Theater” (announcer for two years) “My Favorite Husband” “Our Miss Brooks” “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar” “The George Burns & Gracie Allen Show” “Amos ‘N’ Andy” “The Walter Winchell Show” “The Eddie Cantor Show” “Lum ‘N Abner” “The Hedda Hopper Show” “Fibber McGee & Molly” “Kay Kyser’s Kollege” “The Great Gildersleeve” “The Red Skelton Show” “The Life of Riley” “The Dinah Shore Show” “The Joan Davis Show” “The Danny Kaye Show” “The Billie Burke Show” “The Eddie Bracken Show” “The Jack Carson Sho...

This is a special post in rememberance of a great actor who left us yesterday... He was a marvel on both the London and the American stage... His film credits include The Hasty Heart, Stage Fright, The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men, The Virgin Queen, Intent to Kill, The Longest Day, Dorian Gray and The Big Sleep... On American television he appeared on "The Danny Thomas Hour", "Boy Dominic" and "Murder, She Wrote." In the UK he appeared on several television shows the final being "Heartbeat" in 2007... In Memoriam Remembers: Richard Todd

He will forever be remembered as Deputy Barney Fife of Mayberry on the 1960’s classic television series “The Andy Griffith Show.” The amazing career that spanned several decades began in the 1950’s on Broadway. He made a few film appearances including No Time for Sergeants, The Incredible Mr. Limpet, It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, Pleasantville and as Mayor Turkey Lurkey in Chicken Little… He was a regular cast member on the daytime soap opera “Search for Tomorrow” from 1953 to 1955. He brought his Barney Fife character to other programs: “The Joey Bishop Show”, “Mayberry R.F.D.” and “The New Andy Griffith Show.” In 1979 he took on the role of Ralph Furley on the sitcom “Three’s Company.” He replaced Normal Fell's Stanley Roper, the show’s landlord, and remained until the end of the show in 1984… In 1986 he returned to play Barney Fife in the reunion special “Return to Mayberry.” In 1988 he teamed up with his good friend Andy Griffith once again when he began playing Les Calhoun...

Born September 29, 1942, she left us on this date in 1999... She began on Broadway in 1965...as a comedienne and actress she appeared in the Mel Brooks films Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein as well as Clue, Nixon and A Bug's Life... She starred in the series "Oh Madeline" from 1983 to 1984 and had a co-starring role on the sitcom "Cosby" from 1996 until her passing... In Memoriam Remembers: Madeline Kahn

This man was amazing…he was absolutely amazing. As far as character actors go this man set the standards… He began in films in 1923 in The White Sister and would go on to appear in hundreds of films as the years went by. Some of his more notable film appearances include You Can’t Take it With You, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Arsenic and Old Lace, The Farmer’s Daughter, Miss Grant Takes Richmond, It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, Strange Invaders and Murphy’s Romance. He had a recurring role as the coroner in the Ellery Queen films of the 1940’s… Television became his second home though and he appeared on just about every major and minor show you can name. Below is a brief list of his television credits it doesn’t even come close to being complete. “Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre” “I Love Lucy” “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show” “The Thin Man” “Perry Mason” “The Real McCoys” “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” “Fibber McGee and Molly” “The Twilight Zone” “The Untouchab...

His career began in the late 1940’s and he made his first film appearance in 1950’s The Asphalt Jungle. He would go onto to appear in more than two dozen films including From Here to Eternity, 12 Angry Men, Shampoo, Death on the Nile, Beyond the Poseidon Adventure, The Verdict, The Great Muppet Caper, Problem Child, Problem Child 2 and Toys… On television he was a regular on the series “The Bad News Bears” from 1979 to 1980 and also a regular on the series “Crazy Like a Fox” from 1984 to 1986… In 1972, he appeared in an off Broadway production of A Death of a Salesman… He appeared in his fair share of made for television movies playing significant roles…he was Mark Twain in 1984’s “Helen Keller: The Miracle Continues”, Joe Kennedy, Sr. in “Robert Kennedy & His Times” in 1985 and J. Edgar Hoover in “Hoover vs. the Kennedys: The Second Civil War” in 1987. In 1985 he appeared as Owl in the incredible production of “Alice in Wonderland.” He was in very good company the cast inclu...

The American comedy duo’s history book will certainly have a chapter for this man… He began on some of television’s earliest programs including “The Danny Kaye Show”, “The Milton Berle Show” and “The Steve Allen Comedy Hour.” His other television credits include (but are not limited to) “The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour”, “The Muppet Show”, “The Hollywood Squares”, “Super Password”, “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson”, “Hennesey”, “The Red Skelton Show”, “Dr. Kildare”, “The Donna Reed Show”, “The Untouchables”, “Perry Mason”, “Arrest and Trial”, “Hazel”, “The Jack Benny Program”, “The Lucy Show”, “Glynis”, “The John Forsythe Show”, “The Munsters”, “The Wild Wild West”, “The Tim Conway Show”, “Mama’s Family”, “The Love Boat”, “Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills”, “The Nutt House”, “The Golden Palace”, “Burke’s Law”, “Ellen”, “Diagnosis Murder”, “Suddenly Susan” and “ER.” He made memorable appearances as Inspector Balls in several of the Pink Panther motion pictures. His other film ...

He was fine actor and I’m sure in real life a very nice guy but his performances on screen gave me the creeps. He had that intense look and striking voice that sent chills up my spine. I guess he was doing his job perfectly then! The actor began on the London stage and eventually became involved with London radio. In 1934 he began his forty year career with American audiences. His film credits include The Lady Escapes, Mr. Moto’s Last Warning, Rebecca, Foreign Correspondent, The Lodger, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Ghost & Mrs. Muir, All About Eve, The Last Voyage and The Jungle Book…He played the characters Simon Templar and The Falcon in several films… On television he appeared on such programs as “The Jimmy Durante Show”, “The Bob Hope Show”, “Toast of the Town”, “The Perry Como Show”, “The Dinah Shore Chevy Show”, “What’s My Line?”, “The Hollywood Palace”, “The Hollywood Squares”, “The Ford Television Theatre”, “Schlitz Playhouse of Stars”, “Studio 57”, “General Elect...

Her year of birth is not clear…it has been given as 1923, 1924 and 1926… She appeared on Broadway in the 1950’s, 1960’s and 1970’s. Television would eventually become her permanent home minus a few film roles… Her film credits include To Kill a Mockingbird, My Six Loves, The Graduate, With Six You Get Eggroll, Grease, The Odd Couple II and Addams Family Reunion… On television she is best remembered as Esmeralda, the scatterbrained babysitter, on “Bewitched” and as Bernice Clifton on “Designing Women.” She began playing Esmeralda in 1966 and remained with the show until it ended in 1972. She appeared on “Designing Women” during its entire run which was from 1986 until 1993. She also had a recurring role as Cousin Alice during the final season of “Mayberry R.F.D.” in 1970. From 1962 to 1964 she was a regular player on “Jackie Gleason and His American Scene Magazine.” Her other television credits include: (this list is incomplete) “The DuPont Show of the Week” “Pantomime Quiz” “...

For me as well as a huge legion of fans he will forever be remembered as Perry Mason, the tough talking super intelligent defense attorney on the 1950’s/1960’s crime drama of the same name. But before he entered one of television’s first courtrooms he was well endowed on stage, radio and film… Between the 1940’s and the end of the 1950’s he appeared in over 60 films. Some of his film credits include Bride of Vengeance, Black Magic, Red Light, A Place in the Sun, The Blue Gardenia, Rear Window, Please Murder Me, Godzilla, Airplane II: The Sequel and Gojira… On radio he lent his voice to such programs as “Pat Novak for Hire”, “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar”, “Fort Laramie” and “Suspense.” In 1957 he stepped into the shoes of Perry Mason and didn’t take them off until nine seasons and 260 plus episodes later…he was absolutely brilliant as the sleuthing defense attorney. Ready to help him was his trusted secretary Della Street (Barbara Hale) and his good friend Paul Drake (William Hopp...

Before I begin I would just like to say HAPPY THANKSGIVING! And I would also like to point out that this is my 200th post! Now down to business... This gentleman has always been a particular favorite of mine. He had a wonderful sense for comedy and drama. He played some of the funniest roles I've ever seen as well as the some of the most despicable. He began on the stage and in films in the 1940's. He became well known to radio audiences as the voice of the detective, Sam Spade. Television was right around the corner and shortly there after he was appearing on such shows as "The Ed Wynn Show", "Climax!", "I've Got a Secret", "Toast of the Town", "The Perry Como Show", "The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse", "The Dinah Shore Chevy Show" and many others. In 1957 he and his then wife (film star Ida Lupino) teamed up to appear in the series "Mr. Adams and Eve." She show began in January 1957...

This incredibly funny lady found her place with fans later in life. She began in off Broadway productions but eventually made her way to television… Her television credits include “Studio One”, “Hallmark Hall of Fame”, “Armstrong Circle Theatre”, “The Nurses”, “Fantasy Island”, “Tales From the Dark side” and “Cosby” In 1970 she stepped into the world of daytime soap operas and by the end of 1977 she had completed recurring roles on “A World Apart”, “The Guiding Light”, “Another World” and “Ryan’s Hope.” In 1975 she appeared in the film The Sunshine Boys… 1985 was the year she enter sitcoms and she never left. From 1985 until 1987 she played Nell Carter’s mother on the NBC show “Gimme a Break!” From 1987 to 1989 she had a recurring role as Leola, an in-law to Sherman Hemsley’s cantankerous Deacon Ernest Frye on the NBC show “Amen.” Leola eventually fell in love with Rolly Forbes (Jester Hairston), a prominent member of the congregation and they were married. After her departure...

This delightful B-movie star did a wonderful job of lighting up the screen and making everyone fall for her gentle performances... She appeared in more than 25 films her first being Secret of the Wastelands in 1941 and her final being The Spoilers in 1955...Her stage work began in the 1940's and lasted up through the mid-1970's. On television she appeared on such programs as "The George Gobel Show", "The $64,000 Question", "Toast of the Town", "Lux Video Theatre", "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars", "Climax!", "Robert Montgomery Presents" and "The Ford Television Theatre." "The Comedy Spot" - July 19, 1960...a pilot called "Head of the Family" aired with Carl Reiner as Rob Petrie and a certain blonde playing his wife Laura. Later on the pilot would be re-worked and Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore would step into those roles to form "The Dick Van Dyke Show." The role I ...

This is the second time I have stepped into fiction to post a memoriam to a fictional character. On today's episode of "The Bold and the Beautiful" the character of Ann Douglas died from complications due to advanced pancreatic cancer. Ann Douglas, of course, was played by the legendary Betty White. Since December 1, 2006 White has played Ann in 22 episodes of the soap. As I said Ann was introduced in December of 2006 as the long-lost mother of Stephanie Forrester (Susan Flannery). Stephanie travels to Chicago to visit Ann who is living with her other daughter Pamela (Alley Mills). Stephanie's then-husband Eric (John McCook) went with her. Stephanie had disowned her mother in 1976 because of the poor treatment she received from her father when she was a child. Stephanie asked that Ann explain why she allowed the abuse and Ann denied any abuse ever took place. Eric gives Ann a piece of his mind and then he and Stephanie return to LA. A few days later Ann and...

This talented comedian was also a television pioneer. He helped to craft television’s earliest camera techniques… Between 1957 and his death he appeared in ten films. His true medium was television however and he appeared on such programs as “Ernie in Kovacsland”, “The NBC Comedy Hour”, “I’ve Got a Secret”, “The Walter Winchell Show”, “Tonight!”, “The Polly Bergen Show”, “The Perry Como Show”, “What’s My Line?”, “The Dinah Shore Chevy Show”, “Toast of the Town”, “The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show”, “The Jack Benny Program”, “The Bob Hope Show”, “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse”, “Playhouse 90”, “General Electric Theater”, “Schlitz Playhouse of Stars”, “Good Year Theatre” and “The United States Steel Hour.” Tragically he left this Earth far too soon at the young age of 42… In Memoriam Remembers: Ernie Kovacs

Shots rang out in Dallas, Texas on this day 46 years ago and America lost it's 35th president. Grief, devistation and trauma griped a nation... But as Americans we moved on and we recovered but most importantly we remembered...! We will always remember... And so right now... In Memoriam Remembers: President John F. Kennedy

November 21, 2009- It has been 32 years since two of the greatest actresses in history acted on screen together... On November 21, 1977 the television special "Lucy Calls the President" aired on CBS. It featured Lucille Ball as Lucy Whittaker...a housewife who calls President Jimmy Carter during his radio show to ask his help in preserving a playground in her neighborhood...President Carter agrees to stop by her house for dinner to discuss it with her. Once the news gets out Lucy is flooded with pleas from her friends for an invitation... Also featured in the cast were Ed McMahon (as Floyd, Lucy's husband), Gale Gordon (as Omar, Lucy's father-in-law), Vivian Vance (as Viv, Lucy's neighbor and best friend), Mary Jane Croft (as Midge Bowser, wife of the local mayor) along with Mary Wickes and Steve Allen... This special featured the final time that Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance appeared on screen as their respective "Lucy" and "Viv" character...

One of the silver screen's most beloved good guys... His stage career began in the early 1930's and Hollywood wasn't far behind... Between 1932 and 1966 he appeared in 73 films...including This Is the Night, Alice in Wonderland, His Girl Friday, Suspicion, Arsenic and Old Lace, Notorious, To Catch a Thief, An Affair to Remember, Houseboat, North by Northwest, Operation Petticoat and Walk Don't Run... He contributed to some of the most classic moment in film history... The actor never turned to work on regular television like so many of his peers... During the final years of his life he traveled the country appearing in his one man show An Evening with Cary Grant. Sadly, on the day he died he was due to give the performance in Iowa... In Memoriam Remembers: Cary Grant

This man was a television pioneer not to mention a great giver to a great charity. During the early days of television he rose up to be one of the greatest writers, directors, producers and actors of his time. On television he headed up the cast of "Make Room for Daddy" later known as "The Danny Thomas Show." The series featured him as Danny Williams, a nightclub performer. His co-stars included Jean Hagen (as first wife Margaret), Rusty Hamer (as son Rusty), Marjorie Lord (as second wife Kathy), Sherry Jackson (as daughter Terry), Angela Cartwright (as stepdaughter Linda) and Hans Conried (as Uncle Tonoose). The series ran from 1953 to 1964 and has become one of the gems from television's golden era. From 1967 until 1968 he hosted "The Danny Thomas Hour." In 1970, the Williams family returned in the shortlived "Make Room for Granddaddy" which lasted one season. From 1976 to 1977 he played Dr. Jules Bedford on "The Practice" and ...

This man was one of the most delightful character actors I've ever seen. Even though he had that high pitched voice he was ideal for just about any "odd" role and he did it so very well. He is truly someone I would've enjoyed meeting. His very first film was The Battling Kangaroo in 1926 and it was a silent picture. He would go on to appear in films up through the 1960's including It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World. He lent his voice to several Disney productions including Dumbo, Bambi, Alice in Wonderland and The Jungle Book. From 1966 to 1977 he became immortal as the Voice of the beloved Winnie the Pooh. On television he made guest appearances on such shows as "The Celebrity Game", "The Woody Woodbury Show", "The Donald O'Connor Show", "The Mike Douglas Show", "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet", "Adventures of Superman", "The Life of Riley", "The Red Skelton Show", "Cl...

I personally can not comment as a fan of this actor because I've never seen one of his films. I have only seen him on a few of the guest appearances he did on television but he certainly belongs on this blog from everything I have read. It has been thirty years since he passed away and for generations of fans he epitomized rugged masculinity. I am sure to some extent he still represents that to his die hard fans even to this day. Any "I Love Lucy" fan knows who he is though and that is why I bring you this tribute. His first film was in 1926 in Brown of Harvard and his final film was fifty years later in 1976's The Shootist. In that fifty year period he made a total of 184 films. I was amazed to read the number of television guest appearances he made. His credits include "Wagon Train", "The Mike Douglas Show", "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson", "Maude", "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In", "The Beverly ...

It wasn't until I started my research that I knew what an incredible career this gentleman had. He began on radio in New York in the 1950's and eventually made his way to Broadway. He appeared in a production of The Odd Couple opposite Walter Matthau and Art Carney. His film credits include 12 Angry Men, A Raisin in the Sun and The Odd Couple...in the last two he reprised the roles he played on stage. He made his way to television first appearing in an episode of "Studio One." I will get to his other television credits in a moment but the two roles he will forever be remembered for are Mr. Emil Peterson on "The Bob Newhart Show" which he played in 15 episodes between 1972 and 1978 and the Voice of Piglet in several productions of Winnie the Pooh between 1968 and his death in 2005. His other television credits include: "The United States Steel Hour" "Sunday Showcase" "Peter Gunn" "Pete and Gladys" "Dennis the Men...

Ms. Reid was the living embodiment of a stage performer. To be fair I have never seen her perform in anything other than her role on "Dallas" but you can during her entire run that she radiates that feeling of a true theater person. She appeared on stage both in the United States and Canada. Some of her more prominent stage appearances were in MacBeth, The Taming of the Shrew and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. She was also present in some films including The Andromeda Strain, A Delicate Balance, Sweet Hearts Dance, The Best Damn Fiddler from Lalabogie to Kaladar and This Property is Condemned. Beginning in the 1970's and continuing up until her death in the 1990's she appeared in MANY made for television movies. Her American television guest appearances credits were limited to "Columbo", "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" and the 1980's version of "Alfred Hitchcock Presents." Starting in the fall of 1982 she began playing the role of L...

This fine character actor appeared in films such as Duffy’s Tavern and Too Many Girls. He made his mark as a very talented character actor earlier on in his career. Some of his other film credits include Life with Henry and Hold that Blonde. All the films mentioned took place in the 1940’s… He was on Broadway in the 1940’s and he made a return in 1953. His television credits include “The Jack Carter Show”, “Toast of the Town”, “The Colgate Comedy Hour”, “What’s My Line?”, “I’ve Got a Secret”, “The Milton Berle Show”, “Tonight!”, “The NBC Comedy Hour”, “The Dinah Shore Chevy Show”, “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson”, “The Gulf Playhouse”, “Lux Video Theatre”, “Playhouse 90”, “Climax!”, “Studio One”, “Rawhide”, “Burke’s Law”, “The New Dick Van Dyke Show”, “Ellery Queen”, “Murder, She Wrote”, “The Golden Girls”, “Empty Nest” and “The Cosby Mysteries.” Later in his career he made a return to films and appeared in some of the most beloved family films of the 1980’s and 1990’s ...

She was born on November 12, 1929 and was destined to become one of the most beautiful women in the world... Her sleek elegance was seen on the early days of television...some her credits include "Lights Out", "Robert Montgomery Presents", "Suspense", "Studio One", "Lux Video Theatre" and "The Philco Television Playhouse." It was the handful of films that she appeared in that made her a part of entertainment history. Her appearances in High Noon, Dial M for Murder, Rear Window, The Country Girl, To Catch a Thief, The Swan and High Society showed the world her talents... On April 19, 1956 she married Prince Rainier of Monaco and left acting and Hollywood behind. Sadly she was taken from us much too soon on September 14, 1982 when she lost her battle with injuries she received in an automobile accident... One interest note...according to the Internet Movie Database, she planned on returning to acting in 1964 to appear in ...

For me he will always be Joseph Aynders the suave but snobbish majordomo on "Dynasty." He played the role from the show's beginning in 1981 until the opening of the fourth season in 1983. It began in 1936 on Broadway when he was an understudy for Danny Kaye in the production Lady in the Dark. He remained active on Broadway until the 1960's... He quickly jumped on the television bandwagon and became a very successful character actor. His acting credits include "Studio One", "Mannix", "The F.B.I." and "All in the Family" just to name a few. As Joseph Aynders on "Dynasty" he was a friend to his employer Blake Carrington (John Forsythe) but not so much of a fan of Blake's much younger second wife Krystle (Linda Evans). In the opening episode of season 2 in November of 1981 Joseph makes it very clear that he considers her to be an outsider. Joseph also had a combative relationship with Blake's ex-wife Alex...

Starting in 1930 and running right through the 1960's movie screens came to life thanks to the beautiful women that took Hollywood by storm. In Memoriam Proudly Remembers: Ava Gardner (1922-1990) Loretta Young (1913-2000) Irene Dunne (1898-1990) Lana Turner (1921-1995) Katharine Hepburn (1907-2003) Ginger Rogers (1911-1995) Rosalind Russell (1907-1976) Judy Garland (1922-1969) Joan Crawford (1905-1977) Bette Davis (1908-1989) Tallulah Bankhead (1902-1968) Evelyn Keyes (1916-2008) Shelley Winters (1920-2006) Rita Hayworth (1918-1987) Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) Yvonne De Carlo (1922-2007)

25 years ago a bright and *beautiful face stepped into the role of Miss Ellie Ewing Farlow replacing Barbara Bel Geddes in the role on the popular night time soap opera "Dallas." Even though her time on the show came to an end under terribly unfair circumstances she still made her mark in 24 episodes... A quarter of a century after her final acting role... In Memoriam Remembers: Donna Reed *Just for the record Barbara Bel Geddes was beautiful too!

Steven Gilborn Pat Hingle Cheryl Holdridge Don Galloway John Hager Patrick McGoohan Ricardo Montalban Clint Ritchie James Whitmore Phil Carey Paul Harvey Ron Silver Marilyn Borden Thiel Beatrice Arthur Dom DeLuise Frank Aletter Wayne Allwine Lucy Gordon Joan Alexander Stanton David Carradine Lorena Gale Ed McMahon Farrah Fawcett Harve Presnell Karl Malden Cecil Smith Walter Cronkite Lyn Hamilton Larry Gelbart Paul Burke Henry Gibson John Hart Robert Ginty Collin Wilcox Paxton Joseph Wiseman Soupy Sales Lou Jacobi

The world lost a marvelous entertainer… While there may be some debate about the year of his birth sadly there is no debate about the year of his death…November 7, 2004. Born on April 13, 1917 or 1919 (and if it was 1919 then it should also be noted that he would’ve been 90 this year) his break out role came in 1948 in The Small Voice. He showed off his singing leading man talents in other films such as Annie Get Your Gun, Show Boat, Calamity Jane, Kiss Me Kate and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. He charmed screen legends like Kathryn Grayson and Cyd Charisse. On television he lent his talent to such programs as “The Dinah Shore Chevy Show”, “The Bell Telephone Hour”, “Here’s Lucy”, “The Red Skelton Show”, “Death Valley Days”, “The Love Boat”, “Fantasy Island”, “Murder, She Wrote” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.” On February 20, 1981 he made his first appearance on the hit prime time soap opera “Dallas.” The show featured him as oil baron Clayton Farlow. In the beginning he battl...

Born in 1919 a great man would've turned 90 years old today... From 12 Angry Men to "Archie Bunker's Place" From Pyscho to "Murder, She Wrote" From Cape Fear to "Dr. Kildare" In honor of his 90th birthday... In Memoriam Remembers: Martin Balsam

Hello, I am sorry to say that I still am unable to focus on writing the proper tributes that need to grace the walls of this blog. After 177 posts I am burned out. I have all the notes for my tribute to Eddie Bracken just sitting in my notebook but each time I sit down in front of the screen I draw nothing but a blank. It will happen eventually though. I promise you that. In addition to Eddie Bracken this blog will also feature tributes to many other fabulous artists including Jack Warden, Frank Nelson, Raymond Burr, Lee Bergere, Jerry Orbach, Ava Gardner, Irene Dunne, Kate Reid and Eartha Kitt. On November 7, 2009 I will post a small tribute marking the 5th anniversary of the passing of the great Howard Keel. I promise you that I will not let that anniversary pass without acknowledging it. So until then I ask that you please be patient with me and my daffy brain. Remember this Saturday, November 7, 2009....a small tribute to Howard Keel in recognition of the 5th anniversary ...

Hello, This is just a small note to keep you updated. Last month I was blogging regularly until September 15th. At that point I promised to blog once a week and I didn't keep that promise. I know I have brought you 13 tributes this month and I plan on having a few done in the days to come but I can't make any guarantees. November 7th will be five years since Howard Keel passed away and I will certainly recognize that. I also want to post a tribute to Eddie Bracken but the plain truth is that I haven't been able to concentrate. 177 posts really take a lot out of a person...and at this point I am simply burned out. I'm sorry to say that but it is the truth. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to pay tribute to these late great performers but I can not do it right now at least not on a daily or weekly basis. I hope you'll continue to visit this blog and revisit some of the greatest entertainers this world has ever known. Most Sincerely, -Z

Another in a long line of dedicated character actors..... She made her first television guest appearance on "Two Girls Named Smith" in 1951. From 1956 to 1957 she played Liz Murray on "Hey, Jeannie!" starring Jeannie Carson. She also had recurring roles on "McHale's Navy", "Get Smart", "Medical Center" and "Gimme a Break!" Her final performance was in 1992 on an episode of "The Golden Girls." Her other television credits include: "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" "The Phil Silvers Show" "Pete and Gladys" "The Ann Sothern Show" "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis" "Leave it to Beaver" "The Andy Griffith Show" "Dr. Kildare" "The Joey Bishop Show" "The Red Skelton Show" "Ben Casey" "The Farmer's Daughter" "The Jack Benny Program" "The Dick Van Dyke Show" "The Man from U.N....

She began in New York on Broadway and then started appearing on radio. Some of her radio credits include "Henry Aldrich" and "Mr. & Mrs. North." When she became a widow in 1953 she relocated to California where she began appearing on film and on television. Her first film was Meet Me at the Fair. She also appeared in The Perils of Pauline in 1967. She is best remembered as Mrs. Cornelia Rayburn, Beaver's Principal on "Leave it to Beaver." She also had a recurring role on "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis." Her final film appearance was in Shampoo in 1975... Other Television Credits: "The Great Gildersleeve" "Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre" "The Bob Cummings Show" "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show" "I Love Lucy" "Lux Video Theatre" "The Jack Benny Program" "The Thin Man" "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse" "Maverick" ...

This frail silver haired character actress made a career for herself as an acid tongued "old" lady. She appeared on Broadway in the 1920's and made her first film appearance in 1947. Some of her major film credits include The Miracle Worker, The Trouble with Angels, Valley of the Dolls, Sweet Charity and Superdad. She made four appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" between 1970 and 1971. Other television appearances include "Studio One", "The Phil Silvers Show", "Car 54, Where Are You?", "The Patty Duke Show", "The Jackie Gleason Show", "Dark Shadows", "Maude" and "Kojak." Her most memorable role was as Sally "Mother" Dexter on the sitcom "Phyllis" starring Cloris Leachman. Sally was the best when it came to putting Phyllis down. While she only appeared in 17 episodes it felt like she was in all of them. Her final filmed episode origina...

She began as a supporting player on Broadway in the 1960's. In 1963 she began her career as a very successful character actress on television. In 1973 she appeared in the film Breezy. Between 1973 and 1975 she made occasional appearances on the "Mary Tyler Moore" show as Lou Grant's wife (and later ex-wife) Edie. In 1980 she played Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons in the TV movie "Marilyn: The Untold Story." Her final television role was in an episode of "Coach" in 1992. Her other television credits include: "The Outer Limits" "The Nurses" "The F.B.I." "The Wild Wild West" "Mannix" "Room 222" "Barnaby Jones" "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" "Cannon" "Maude" "All in the Family" "Three's Company" "The Jeffersons" "The Love Boat" "Mork & Mindy" "One Day at a Time" "Br...

How can simple words describle this man? "Uncle Miltie" & "Mr. Television" A career that began in 1914 and lasted until 2000...he spent 86 of his 93 years entertaining us... He was truly a legend... In Memoriam Remembers: Milton Berle

It would take an entire blog of its own to pay tribute to this man's accomplishments... In a career that began in 1927 and lasted until his death in 2003 he entertainted the universe... His marriage to singer Dolores Reade is one of the longest lasting marriages in Hollywood history, they were together for 69 years... Dolores herself celebrated her 100th birthday in May 2009... Comedy's Good Will Ambassador... In Memoriam Remembers: Bob Hope

The woman was the living embodiment of the hard working character actress. She began on Broadway and eventually began playing the role of Janet Archer on the radio series "Meet Corliss Archer" from 1943 until 1952. She reprised the role on television in 1951. On television she could be seen everywhere from "The Bob Cummings Show" to "Dragnet" to "Dennis the Menace" to "Peyton Place" to "Three's Company" to "The Facts of Life." Her final acting role was as Grandma Virginia Pierson in the 1989 made for television movie "A Deadly Silence." Other Television Credits: "The Ruggles" "The Johnny Carson Show" "Letter to Loretta" "The Red Skelton Show" "General Electric Theater" "Four Star Playhouse" "Playhouse 90" "December Bride" "Leave it to Beaver" "Rawhide" "Maverick" "Wagon Train" ...

A delightful character actor...he made his Broadway debut at the age of 5! He began in films in 1947 and some of his more notable ones include Sorry, Wrong Number, The Great Gatsby, 12 Angry Men, Hang 'Em High, The Dunwich Horror and Road to Salina. He made his rounds on radio as well appearing on such programs as "Lux Radio Theatre" and "Our Miss Brooks." One of his appearances on the "Lux Radio Theatre" included a reprisal of his role in Sorry, Wrong Number opposite Barbara Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster. On television he guest starred on several television programs including "Toast of the Town", "Pantomime Quiz", "I've Got a Secret", "Lights Out", "Danger", "The Philip Morris Playhouse", "The Motorola Television Hour", "Robert Montgomery Presents", "Kraft Television Theatre", "Goodyear Television Playhouse", "Climax!", "Westingh...

A short frumpy character actress that knew how to make everyone laugh. She used her talents to emerge as one of the very first women on television to make everyone laugh - behind Lucille Ball and Gracie Allen of course. In the 1930's she made many appearances on Broadway and eventually made her way into the movies in 1937. In 1950 she became a regular performer on Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows." The series ran from 1950 until 1954. In 1954 she was given her own self titled show in which she played a character named Betty Crane. It was canceled in 1955. Her television guest appearance credits include "The Colgate Comedy Hour", "Person to Person", "The Steve Allen Show", "Pantomime Quiz", "The Dean Martin Show", "What's My Line?", "The Hollywood Squares", "The Jackie Gleason Show", "The Carol Burnett Show", "Toast of the Town", "The Merv Griffin Show...

She was born on this date in 1879… Before her death on August 13, 1967 at the age of 87 she appeared in over 200 films and a handful of television shows…she also spent time on Broadway. Her career spanned from 1909 until 1964. Some of the more memorable films include Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, Roman Scandals, Gone With the Wind, The Grapes of Wrath, All Through the Night, The Great Gildersleeve, Gildersleeve’s Bad Day, Captain Tugboat Annie, The Lemon Drop Kid and Mary Poppins… She played mother to some of Hollywood’s greatest leading men including Henry Fonda and Humphrey Bogart. On television she appeared on such shows as “Fireside Theatre”, “Four Star Playhouse”, “The Ford Television Theatre”, “Climax!”, “Studio 57”, “Playhouse 90”, “Studio One”, “Maverick”, “Wagon Train”, “Lassie”, “Burke’s Law” and “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.” Even now, 42 years after her passing…on the occasion of what would’ve been her 130th birthday… In Memoriam Remembers: Jane Darwell

From 1976 to 2008 she was Myrtle Fargate on the ABC daytime hit soap opera "All My Children." In addition to AMC she also brought Myrtle to "Loving" in 1993 and "One Life to Live" in 2000. The character of Myrtle started out as a con artist but eventually warmed up to audiences by becoming a loving friend to everyone and by opening a boarding house for Pine Valley's lost souls. She became a surrogate mother to Susan Lucci's Erica Kane and even managed to bury the hatchett with her long time rival Phoebe Tyler Wallingford (Ruth Warrick). The 10,000 episode of AMC aired on November 12, 2008 and it was dedicated to her memory. The character of Myrtle Fargate passed away peacefully in her sleep, that was addressed in an episode that aired on December 19, 2008. In Memoriam Remembers: Eileen Herlie

Born April 5, 1908...she was a living legend for sixty of her 81 years! She left us 20 years ago today after a decade of debilitating illnesses... A marvelous actress who set the standards... In Memoriam Remembers: Bette Davis

It has been five years since the original scream queen left us. She was born on July 6, 1927…before long she would find herself appearing in such films as My Sister Eileen, Little Women, The Manchurian Candidate, Bye Bye Birdie, The Fog and Halloween H20: 20 Years Later… On television she entertained audiences for over half a century. A few of the shows she appeared on include “The Colgate Comedy Hour”, “Toast of the Town”, “What’s My Line?”, “I’ve Got a Secret”, “Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre”, “Murder, She Wrote” and “Touched by an Angel.” The role that made her a legend was Marion Crane in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 thriller Psycho starring Anthony Perkins as the deranged mama’s boy Norman Bates. The infamous shower scene in which Marion is brutally stabbed to death by the disturbed Norman has haunted audiences for almost fifty years now… Her final role on television was in a 2001 episode of the drama “Family Law.” On the 5th anniversary of her passing… With great, p...

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 ...