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 ...