In Memoriam

I apologize for the skimpy reports the past few days.  My regular sources have been out of order. Happy Birthday! Percy Helton (1894) Tallulah Bankhead (1902) Garry Moore (1915) Jean Simmons (1929) Suzanne Pleshette (1937) 

Happy Birthday! David Wayne (1914) Dick Martin (1922) 

Happy 95th Birthday! Born: January 29, 1918 He made his first film appearance in an uncredited role in the 1943 project Northern Pursuit.  He made several appearances on television programs during his long career.  He starred in "Bachelor Father" from 1957 to 1962, "The John Forsythe Show" from 1965 to 1966, "To Rome with Love" from 1969 to 1971 and "The Powers That Be" from 1992 to 1993.  His two biggest successes on television were as the voice of Charlie Townsend on "Charlie's Angels" from 1976 to 1981 and as oil tycoon Blake Carrington on "Dynasty" from 1981 to 1989.  In 2000 he returned to voice Charlie in the film version of "Charlie's Angels."  His final acting project was in 2003's Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle once again providing the voice of Charlie.  He passed away on April 1, 2010... In Memoriam Remembers: John Forsythe 

Remembering the cast of "Bewitched" which ran for eight successful seasons on ABC television. Elizabeth Montgomery (1933-1995) as Samantha Stephens Dick York (1928-1992) as Darrin Stephens #1 (1964-1969) Dick Sargent (1930-1994) as Darrin Stephens #2 (1969-1972) Agnes Moorehead (1900-1974) as Endora, Samantha's mother David White (1916-1990) as Larry Tate, Darrin's boss Alice Pearce (1917-1966) as Gladys Kravitz #1 (1964-1966) Sandra Gould (1916-1999) as Gladys Kravitz #2 (1966-1971) George Tobias (1901-1980) as Abner Kravitz Irene Vernon (1922-1998) as Louise Tate #1 (1964-1966) Kasey Rogers (1925-2006) as Louise Tate #2 (1966-1972) Marion Lorne (1883-1968) as Aunt Clara Paul Lynde (1926-1982) as Uncle Arthur Maurice Evans (1901-1989) as Maurice, Samantha's father Alice Ghostley (1924-2007) as Esmerelda Mabel Albertson (1901-1982) as Phyllis Stephens, Darrin's mother (1...

Happy Birthday! Howard McNear (1905) Donna Reed (1921) 

Happy Birthday! Zara Cully (1892) Charles Lane (1905) William Prince (1913) Vito Scotti (1918) Paul Newman (1925) At Rest: Jose Ferrer (1992) Ian Abercrombie (2012) 

Remembering a wonderful character 10 years after his passing... Born: October 15, 1920 His audience watched him on stage in the early-mid 1940's, films 1940's-1950's and television 1950's-1990s'.  He also became a familiar face later in his life in several television commercials. The role he most became known for was that of bashful biology teacher Phillip Boynton on "Our Miss Brooks."  It was a role he played on radio, film and television throughout the 1950's.  His clueless character had a terrible time recognizing that english teacher Miss Connie Brooks (Eve Arden) was desperately in love with him. After the "Boynton" role ended in 1956 the actor went on to appear on several television shows over the next four decades.  Those shows include (but are not limited to) "Stars Over Hollywood", "Campbell Summer Soundstage", "Racket Squad", "The Lone Ranger", "Adventures of Superman...

Happy Birthday! Ernest Borgnine (1917) At Rest: Larry Fine (1972) 

Happy Birthday! Ernie Kovacs (1919) At Rest: Nell Carter (2003) Bob Keeshan (2004) Johnny Carson (2005) 

Happy Birthday! Ann Sothern (1909) Bill Bixby (1934) At Rest: Telly Savalas (1994) Ann Miller (2004) James Mitchell (2010) Jean Simmons (2010) Dick Tufeld (2012) 

Born: January 21, 1896 The birthday of a wonderful actor...on television he could be seen playing the title role on "Life with Luigi" in the 1950's...a role he also played on radio.  He also starred as Charlie Chan on television series "The New Adventures of Charlie Chan", another 1950's television series.  Among his guest parts he appeared on "Green Acres", "Get Smart" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."  On the big screen he could be seen in Sahara, House of Frankenstein, Sitting Bull and Dracula vs. Frankenstein just to name a few.  70 years ago this year he appeared as the villianous Dr. Daka in the movie serial Batman which featured Lewis Wilson as Batman, Douglas Croft as Robin, Shirley Patterson as Linda Page and William Austin as Alfred Pennyworth.  It was the first time adventures of the Caped Crusader were brought to the big screen. The great actor passed away on January 24, 1973.  In Memoriam Remembers: J. Carrol...

Happy Birthday! George Burns (1896) DeForest Kelley (1920) Patricia Neal (1926) At Rest: Barbara Stanwyck (1990) Audrey Hepburn (1993) Nedra Volz (2003) 

January 19, 2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the birth of Little Ricky on "I Love Lucy."  Today's post is dedicated to remembering all the wonderful performers who participated in that historic episode. The Principal Players Lucille Ball (1911-1989) -Lucy Ricardo Desi Arnaz (1917-1986) -Ricky Ricardo Vivian Vance (1909-1979) -Ethel Mertz William Frawley (1887-1966) -Fred Mertz The Supporting Players Charles Lane (1905-2007) -Mr. Stanley William Hamel (1906-1958) -Maitre d' at the Tropicana Club Ralph Montgomery (1911-1980) -Policeman Bennett Green -Orderly (also Desi Arnaz' stand-in) Adele Longmire (1918-2008) -Nurse Barbara Pepper (1915-1969) -Nurse Ruth Perrott (1899-1996) -Nurse Hazel Pierce (1893-1984) -Nurse (also Lucille Ball's stand-in) Peggy Rea (1921-2011) -Nurse

Remembering the greatest threats to Gotham City! Cesar Romero (1907-1994) -The Joker Burgess Meredith (1907-1997) -The Penguin Frank Gorshin (1933-2005) -The Riddler #1 Victor Buono (1938-1982) -King Tut Anne Baxter (1923-1985) -Zelda the Great -Olga, Queen of the Cossacks Vincent Price (1911-1993) -Egghead Carolyn Jones (1930-1983) -Marsha, Queen of Diamonds Cliff Robertson (1923-2011) -Shame Eartha Kitt (1927-2008) -The Catwoman #2 Milton Berle (1908-2002) -Louie the Lilac David Wayne (1914-1995) -Jervis Tetch, the Mad Hatter Rudy Vallee (1901-1986) -Lord Marmaduke Phogg George Sanders (1906-1972) -Mr. Freeze #1 Otto Preminger (1906-1986) -Mr. Freeze #2 Art Carney (1918-2003) -The Archer Tallulah Bankhead (1902-1968) -Mrs. Max Black, the Black Widow Roddy McDowall (1928-1998) -The Bookworm Liberace (1919-1987) -Chandell aka Fingers -Harry Walter Slezak (1902-1983) -T...

Happy Birthday! Eartha Kitt (1927) Sheree North (1933) At Rest: Barbara Britton (1980) Richard Crenna (2003) Allan Melvin (2008) 

This one is written with a heavy heart.  It is terrible to see our marvelous performers of yesteryear slip away.  This actor, born on February 4, 1923 passed away this past Monday, January 14, 2013 at the age of 89. He worked on the stage extensively between the 1940's and the 1960's.  His film appearances included The Anderson Tapes, A Fan's Notes, Up the Sandbox, A Pleasure Doing Business, Bananas and Postcards from the Edge.  On television his guest work included appearances on "The Defenders", "Dark Shadows", "The Edge of Night", "The Love Boat", "Grandpa Goes to Washington" and "The Waverly Wonders."  He also appeared in a few made for television movies during his career.   The big television break came in 1972 when he began playing Dr. Arthur Harmon on the CBS sitcom "Maude" starring Beatrice Arthur in the title role.  Dr. Harmon was the conservative Republican foil for the liberal Democrat...

Yesterday I briefly mentioned Lloyd Bridges' birthday...here is a more indepth tribute to recognize the actor's 100th birthday. Born: January 15, 1913 He appeared in several films throughout his career from the 1930's thru the 1990's.  He also made an appearance on stage in the early 1940's.  His contributions to television included "The Steve Allen Plymouth Show", "The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show", " The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson", "The Merv Griffin Show", "Robert Montgomery Presents", "Suspense", "Goodyear Playhouse", "The United States Steel Hour", "Studio 57", "Climax!", "Playhouse 90", "Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse", "The DuPont Show with June Allyson", "Zane Grey Theatre", "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre", "Mission: Impossible", "Here's Lucy", "Police Story...

Happy Birthday! John Hamilton (1887) -a character actor in hundreds of films but didn't find major fame until he played Perry White on the "Adventures of Superman" in the 1950's. Ethel Merman (1908) -this lady needs no explanation! At Rest: Ted Cassidy (1979) -Voice/Character actor best known as Lurch on "The Addams Family" in the 1960's. 

Happy Birthday! Lloyd Bridges (1913) At Rest: Ruth Warrick (2005) Susannah York (2011) 

I can't believe this is post number 700!  I am aware that I have paid tribute to this lady before but seeing as how my 700th post happens to come on the 27th anniversary of her passing I can't think of anyone else to remember. Born: January 27, 1921 She appeared in such classic films as Shadow of the Thin Man, It's a Wonderful Life and From Here to Eternity.  On television from 1958 to 1966 in "The Donna Reed Show" she became perfectly identified with the image of what a classic television mother should be.  After the show ended in 1966 she appeared in a few television films in the 1970's, appeared on "The Love Boat" and then made her final acting appearance as Miss Ellie Ewing Farlow in 24 episodes of the prime time soap "Dallas" during the 1984-1985 television season.  She passed away on this day in 1986 at the age of 64 - taken from us much too soon!  I've said this more than once since beginning this blog almost five ye...

Happy Birthday! William Bendix (1906) Andy Rooney (1919) Guy Williams (1924) At Rest: Humphrey Bogart (1957) Blossom Rock (1978) Shelley Winters (2006) Ricardo Montalban (2009) 

Happy Birthday! Robert Stack (1919) At Rest: Ernie Kovacs (1962) 

Born: October 17, 1902 A little lady with a large career.  Before she became known to the world as "Granny" on "The Beverly Hillbillies" she had a long career in vaudeville, radio (mostly with Bob Hope) and films spanning between the 1930's thru the 1960's.  On television she appeared on such programs as "The NBC Comedy Hour", "Make Room for Daddy", "The Real McCoys", "Bringing Up Buddy", "My Three Sons", "G.E. True Theater", "Wagon Train", "The Andy Williams Show", "The Danny Kaye Show", "The Merv Griffin Show", "The Hollywood Squares", "Password All-Stars", "The Joey Bishop Show", "The Hollywood Palace", "The Dean Martin Comedy Hour", "The Bob Hope Show" and "Love, American Style." "The Beverly Hillbillies" began in 1962 and ran until 1971 producing 274 episodes.  The ac...

Born: May 3, 1889 This actress died on this day in 1981, she was one of Hollywood's most hard working character actors for fifty years.  She appeared on Broadway in the 1920's and 1930's....and then made her move to films.  Some of her films include Street Scene, Rain, The Good Fairy, The Invisible Ray, The Sisters, Our Town and The Life of Riley.  She played the mother of actor James Stewart in five different productions Vivacious Lady (1938), Of Human Hearts (1938), Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939), It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and in a 1971 episode of his program "The Jimmy Stewart Show."  On television she appeared on "Alfred Hitchcock Presents", "Goodyear Playhouse", "Climax!", "Playhouse 90", "Wagon Train" and "Perry Mason."  She appeared in two episodes of "The Waltons" playing Aunt Martha Corrine Walton, one in 1974 and one in 1976.  She received an Emmy award for her se...

Born: February 15, 1927 Remembering a favorite funny man! In the 1960's he was a regular on "The Danny Kaye Show" - when that job ended in 1967 he immediately began work on "The Carol Burnett Show", a job that lasted for 10 years.  One of the show's more popular sketches was called "The Family" in which he played Ed Higgins opposite Carol Burnett as Eunice Higgins and Vicki Lawrence as Eunice's mean old mother "Mama."  When the sketch was turned into the sitcom "Mama's Family" the actor reprised the role of Ed Higgins in three 1983 episodes.  Also in the 1960's he lent his voice to "The Flintstones" playing The Great Gazoo in 13 episodes.  In 2000 he would return to that universe in the feature film The Flintstones: Viva Rock Vegas playing Wilma's father Colonel Slaghoople with Joan Collins as his wife Pearl. Also on television he could be seen on "The Hollywood Sqaures", "Th...

Born: October 27, 1923 The audiences will always remember him as money hungry Ralph the doorman on "The Jeffersons", a role he played in 51 episodes during the show's run from 1975 to 1985.  In addition to many stage and film appearances he also played several character parts on television during the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's. "Car 54, Where Are You?" "Get Smart" "That Girl" "Hogan's Heroes" "Gunsmoke" "I Dream of Jeannie" "Mayberry R.F.D." "The Bold Ones: The Lawyers" "Ironside" "The Jimmy Stewart Show" "The New Dick Van Dyke Show" "A Touch of Grace" "Love, American Style" "Mary Tyler Moore" "McMillan & Wife" "Sanford and Son" "All in the Family" (as Ralph with "The Jeffersons") "Happy Days" "Starsky and Hutch" "Welcome...

Happy Birthday! Gypsy Rose Lee (1911) Fernando Lamas (1915) Bob Denver (1935) Susannah York (1939) At Rest: Jesse White (1997) 

At Rest: Reta Shaw (1982) Pat Buttram (1994) Yvonne De Carlo (2007) 

Happy Birthday! Alan Napier (1903) Vincent Gardenia (1920) 

Happy Birthday! Danny Thomas (1914) Henry Corden (1920) And a special Happy Birthday to: Loretta Young, she would've turned 100 on this day... 

Happy Birthday! George Reeves (1914) Jane Wyman (1917) At Rest: Hans Conried (1982) 

Happy Birthday! Sterling Holloway (1905) Jesse White (1917) At Rest: Mae Questel (1998) 

At Rest: Howard McNear (1969) Pat Hingle (2009) 

Remembering Classic Character Actors... Meg Wyllie (1917-2002) Doris Singleton (1919-2012) Burt Mustin (1884-1977) Jane Dulo (1917-1994) Elvia Allman (1904-1992) William Windom (1923-2012) Robert Rockwell (1920-2003) Ellen Corby (1911-1999) 

Happy New Year Everyone!  June 6, 2013 will mark In Memoriam's 5th anniversary! For now... At Rest: Maurice Chevalier (1972) Victor Buono (1982) Cesar Romero (1994) Ray Walston (2001)