In Memoriam

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 ...