SitcomsOnline.com News Blog

Today we remember the sitcom actors, actresses, producers, directors, writers and other crew members who died in 2014. We lost stars from The Brady Bunch, Designing Women, Gilligan's Island, McHale's Navy, Mork & Mindy, The Partridge Family, Welcome Back, Kotter, and many more who are greatly missed. We thank them for bringing us many laughs.

Names are listed in alphabetical order by surname. Visit the IMDB and Wikipedia links for a full listing of their credits and other biographical information. View video interviews at the Archive of American Television links.

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Luis Ávalos (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Cuban character actor Luis Ávalos made many television appearances. He died on January 22, 2014, of heart failure in Burbank, Calfiornia. Mr. Ávalos was 67.

Ávalos appeared as Dr. Sanchez in the short-lived 1979 sitcom Highcliffe Manor. He played the next-door neighbor Jesse Rodriguez in the short-lived 1983 ABC sitcom Condo, which starred McLean Stevenson. He starred as Dr. Thomas Esquivel in the 1984-1985 CBS sitcom E/R. In 1986-1987, he appeared as Louis Robles in You Again?, which starred Jack Klugman and John Stamos. Some of his sitcom guest appearances included A New Kind of Family, The Jeffersons, Benson, Soap, It's a Living, Archie Bunker's Place, Barney Miller, Mama's Family, Jennifer Slept Here, Full House, Empty Nest, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and Working. He starred in The Electric Company in seasons two-six from 1972-1977.

Francine Beers (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actress Francine Beers' career spanned nearly six decades. She died on March 27, 2014, in her apartment on Manhattan's Upper West Side in New York. Ms. Beers was 89.

Beers starred as Mrs. Green, the owner of the apartment building, in the short-lived 1982 NBC sitcom One of the Boys. The series starred Mickey Rooney, Dana Carvey, Nathan Lane, Scatman Crothers and Meg Ryan. Some of her other television guest appearances included All in the Family, The Edge of Night, Kate & Allie, Chicken Soup, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, Law & Order and Sex and the City.

Polly Bergen (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Emmy Award-winning actress Polly Bergen appeared in many television series. She died of natural causes on September 20, 2014, at her home in Southbury, Connecticut. Ms. Bergen was 84.

Bergen starred as Doris Campbell in the second season of the ABC sitcom Baby Talk. Her sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat and My Two Dads. She had a recurring role as Kate Allen in Commander in Chief in 2005-2006. She played Stella Wingfield, Lynette's mother, in 10 episodes of Desperate Housewives from 2007-2011.

Ted Bergmann (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)

Television producer Ted Bergmann worked on Three's Company and its spinoffs. He died on March 2, 2014, following surgery at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. Mr. Bergmann was 93.

Bergmann worked at the Dumont Television Network beginning in 1947. He sold commercial time to clients for such early Dumont TV shows such as The Original Amateur Hour, Fashions on Parade, Captain Video and His Video Rangers, The Arthur Murray Party, Cavalcade of Stars and Life Is Worth Living. He later worked as a producer of the Grammy Awards for seven years.

He was an executive in charge of production for Three's Company for all eight seasons on ABC from 1976-1984. He worked in the same capacity on its spinoff series The Ropers and Three's a Crowd. In 1998, he was interviewed for the E! True Hollywood Story on Three's Company.

Sid Caesar (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)

Emmy-winning comedian, actor and writer Sid Caesar was best known for his variety/sketch series Your Show of Shows and Caesar's Hour. He died on February 12, 2014, at his home in Beverly Hills, California, after a short illness. Mr. Caesar was 91.

Caesar was nominated for 11 Emmy Awards, winning twice in 1952 and 1957. Some of his sitcom guest appearances included That Girl, Make Room for Granddaddy, Love, American Style, When Things Were Rotten, Good Heavens, The Love Boat, Love & War (Emmy nominated), and Mad About You (Emmy nominated). His film credits included It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Silent Movie, Grease, Grease II, History of the World, Part I and Cannonball Run II.

Mary Grace Canfield (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Character actress Mary Grace Canfield was best known for her recurring role as Ralph Monroe in Green Acres. She died from lung cancer on February 15, 2014, in Santa Barbara, California. Ms. Canfield was 89.

Canfield appeared as Ralph Monroe in more than forty episodes of Green Acres, which ran on CBS for six seasons from 1965-1971. Ralph and her brother, Alf (Sid Melton), were quarrelsome carpenters hired to rebuild the Douglas' house and barn. Her signature greeting to fellow Hootervillians was "Howdie Doodie!" In 1990, she reprised her role in the TV movie Return to Green Acres.

Her first television appearance was in March 1954 on Goodyear Playhouse. She had a recurring role as a housekeeper, Amanda Allison, in the 1961-1962 ABC sitcom The Hathaways. She appeared as Mrs. Hanley in two episodes of Family in 1976. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Hazel, The Joey Bishop Show, The Andy Griffith Show, The Farmer's Daughter, Bewitched (four episodes as Abner Kravitz's sister, Harriet), Love, American Style, The Love Boat, Tabitha, Alice and The Jackie Thomas Show. Her other television credits included Thriller, The Eleventh Hour, Adam-12 and General Hospital.

Christine Cavanaugh (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actress Christine Cavanaugh provided her voice in many animated television series. She died on December 22, 2014, at her home in Cedar City, Utah. Ms. Cavanugh was 51.

Cavanaugh's voice credits included Darkwing Duck, Rugrats, The Critic and Dexter's Laboratory. She was also the voice of Babe in the 1995 film Babe.

Booth Colman (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Character actor Booth Colman made guest appearances in many sitcoms. He died on December 15, 2014, in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Colman was 91.

Colman played Zaius in the short-lived 1974 Planet of the Apes television series. Some of his sitcom guest appearances included I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, Gilligan's Island, Hogan's Heroes, The Monkees, I Dream of Jeannie, Family Affair, The Flyning Nun, My Three Sons, Frasier and My Name Is Earl.

Hal Cooper (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)

Television director and executive producer Hal Cooper worked on many sitcoms. He died of heart failure at his home in Beverly Hills, California, on April 11, 2014. Mr. Cooper was 91.

Cooper directed 54 episodes of I Dream of Jeannie between 1966-1969. He directed 126 of the 141 episodes of Maude, on which he also served as an executive producer from 1975-1978. He received two Emmy nominations for his directing work on Maude in 1976 and 1978. Cooper was the primary director of Gimme a Break! from 1983-1987, with 81 episodes to his credit. He also served as an executive producer from 1983-1987.

Some of his other sitcom directing credits included The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gidget, Gilligan's Island, That Girl, Mayberry R.F.D., The Courtship of Eddie's Father, The Odd Couple, The Brady Bunch, Empty Nest and Dear John. He also worked as an executive producer on Empty Nest and Dear John.

Ann B. Davis (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)

Emmy-winning actress Ann B. Davis played the beloved housekeeper Alice Nelson in The Brady Bunch. She died on June 1, 2014, at University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. She had suffered a sustained a subdural hematoma from a fall at her residence. Ms. Davis was 88.

Davis first appeared on television as a musical judge in the 1953-54 season on ABC's Jukebox Jury. Her early television appearances included Matinee Theater and Lux Video Theatre. Davis's first starring role was as Charmaine "Schultzy" Schultz in the sitcom The Bob Cummings Show (also known as Love That Bob). The series ran for five seasons on NBC and CBS from 1955-1959. It also starred Bob Cummings, Rosemary DeCamp and Dwayne Hickman. Davis played the razor-tongued secretary, who had a crush on her boss. She was nominated four times for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the role. She won Emmys in 1958 and 1959. On February 9, 1960, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Her second starring role was in the NBC sitcom The John Forsythe Show in 1965-66. She played Miss Wilson, a physical education teacher at a private girls' academy. Her television guest appearances in the 1960s included Wagon Train, The New Breed, McKeever and Colonel, Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, The Pruitts of Southampton and Insight. She also appeared in commercials for the Ford Motor Company. Her other commercials over the years included Minute Rice, Shake 'n Bake and Swiffer.

Davis's best known role was as the devoted housekeeper Alice Nelson in The Brady Bunch, which aired on ABC from 1969-1974. Alice was known for her blue and white maid's uniform. She did it all for the Brady family. She was always there to clean the house, tell jokes and give advice to anybody who needed it. Davis reprised the role of Alice Nelson many times over the years. She appeared in The Brady Bunch Hour in 1976-1977. In 1981, she appeared in the TV movie The Brady Girls Get Married and the spin-off series The Brady Brides. She returned in the 1988 CBS TV movie A Very Brady Christmas. In 1989, she guest starred in a very funny episode of the NBC sitcom Day by Day, titled A Very Brady Episode. She appeared in four episodes of the 1990 CBS dramedy The Bradys. In 1991, she guest starred as Alice Nelson in an episode of Hi Honey, I'm Home. Her final appearance as Alice was in the 1994 film Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult. She appeared as a trucker named Schultzy in the 1995 film A Very Brady Movie. One of her final television appearances via tape was a Brady Bunch reunion on The Talk in February to celebrate Florence Henderson's 80th birthday.

Geoff Edwards (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Geoff Edwards was an actor and game show host. He died of complications from pneumonia in Santa Monica, California on March 5, 2014. Mr. Edwards was 83.

Edwards hosted game shows such as Hollywood's Talking, Jackpot, The New Treasure Hunt, Shoot for the Stars, Chain Reaction, Starcade and Play the Percentages.

His sitcom guest appearances included That Girl, I Dream of Jeannie, Good Morning, World, Petticoat Junction (recurring role as Jeff Powers), Diff'rent Strokes, Madame's Place, Double Trouble and Small Wonder.

Theodore J. Flicker (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Theodore "Ted" J. Flicker was the co-creator of Barney Miller. He died at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico on September 12, 2014. Mr. Flicker was 84.

Flicker wrote and directed the pilot episode of Barney Miller. His directing credits included The Bill Dana Show, The Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show and I Dream of Jeannie. His writing credits included Night Gallery, Mod Squad, The Streets of San Francisco and Banacek.

James Garner (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)

Television and film actor James Garner starred as Bret Maverick in Maverick and as Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files. has died. He was found dead of a heart attack at his Los Angeles home on July 19, 2014. Mr. Garner was 86.

Garner's television career began with appearances in Warner Brothers Presents, Zane Grey Theater, Conflict, Cheyenne and Sugarfoot. He got his big break in 1957 when he landed the role of professional gambler Bret Maverick in the western comedy series Bret Maverick. The series ran from 1957-1962 on ABC. It also starred Jack Kelly as his brother, Bart Maverick. Garner left the series after the third season due to a contract dispute. Roger Moore was brought in to play cousin Beau Maverick. Another brother, Brent Maverick, was played by Robert Colbert.

Garner and Kelly reprised their roles in the 1978 TV movie The New Maverick. Garner returned to the role again in the 1981-1982 NBC western Bret Maverick. The show was canceled after only one season despite decent ratings. He played Marshal Zane Cooper in the 1994 film adaptation Maverick, which starred Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster.

He starred in the 1971-1972 NBC western series Nichols. Garner played the motorcycle-riding anti-hero sheriff named Nichols. It was set in the fictional town of Nichols, Arizona, in 1914. The series also starred Neva Patterson, John Beck, Stuart Margolin, Margot Kidder and Alice Ghostley. It ran for one season and 24 episodes.

Garner's next big television role was as private detective Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files. The popular detective drama ran for six seasons on NBC from 1974-1980. The series, which was created by Roy Huggins and Stephen J. Cannell, also starred Noah Beery, Jr., Joe Santos, Gretchen Corbett and Stuart Margolin. Garner won an Emmy Award in 1977 for Best Actor. There were eight Rockford Files TV reunion movies made for CBS from 1994 to 1999.

In 1991, he starred in the NBC sitcom Man of the People. Garner played Jim Doyle, a con man chosen to fill an empty seat on a city council. The short-lived series, which ran for only 10 episodes, also starred Kate Mulgrew, Corinne Bohrer, Taylor Nichols, George Wyner and Romy Walthall.

He provided the voice of God in the 2000 NBC animated series God, the Devil and Bob. He had a recurring role as Hubert 'Hue' Miller in the final season of Chicago Hope in 2000. In 2002, he starred as Chief Justice Thomas Brankin in the CBS legal drama First Monday. The short-lived series, centered on the U.S. Supreme Court, also starred Joe Mantegna, Charles Durning, Randy Vasquez, Hedy Burgess, Christopher Wiehl and Joe Flanigan.

Garner joined the cast of the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules after the sudden death of John Ritter in 2003. He played Grandpa Jim Egan, the father of Cate Hennessy (Katey Sagal), in the final two seasons of the series. Suzanne Pleshette appeared as his estranged wife, Laura.

He starred in more than 50 films. Some of his more notable credits included The Great Escape, The Americanization of Emily, Grand Prix, Victor Victoria, Murphy's Romance, My Fellow Americans, Space Cowboys and The Notebook. He received an Emmy Award nomination for his role opposite Sally Field in Murphy's Romance.

Louan Gideon (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actress Louan Gideon was best known for her role as antagonist Danielle Atron on Nickelodeon's The Secret World of Alex Mack. She died of cancer on February 3, 2014, in Asheville, North Carolina. Ms. Gideo was 58.

Gideon appeared in the sci-fi/fantasy comedy/drama series The Secret World of Alex Mack on Nickelodeon from 1994-1998. Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Princesses, Who's the Boss?, Get a Life, Night Court, Saved by the Bell, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, The Home Court, Seinfeld, The Tom Show, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Titus and Malcolm in the Middle.

Bob Hastings (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actor Bob Hastings starred as Lieutenant Elroy Carpenter in McHale's Navy. He died from prostate cancer on June 30, 2014, in Burbank, California. Mr. Hastings was 89.

Hastings' early television appearances included Captain Video and His Video Rangers, Atom Squad, The United States Steel Hour, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, The Edge of Night, The Big Story and Deadline. His first recurring role was as a lieutenant in The Phil Silvers Show (aka Sergeant Bilko). He appeared in a total of eight episodes.

He made guest appearances in many sitcoms in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including The Real McCoys, Hennesey, The Donna Reed Show, Window on Main Street, The Gertrude Berg Show, Car 54, Where Are You?, Pete and Gladys (three episodes), Room for One More, Dennis the Menace (five episodes) and Petticoat Junction.

Hastings starred as the yes-man Lieutenant Elroy Carpenter in ABC's McHale's Navy. The popular sitcom ran four seasons from 1962-1966. His character was Binghamton's (Joe Flynn) sycophantic aide. He was humorously called "Carpy" and "Little Leadbottom" by McHale and his men. Hastings reunited with other cast members for "The Crew Remembers" special feature on the McHale's Navy - Season One DVD release in 2007.

Some of his other sitcom work included the voice of The Raven in The Munsters. He also played "Cousin Phantom of the Opera" in the TV movie The Munsters' Revenge in 1981. Hastings made guest appearances in Hogan's Heroes, I Dream of Jeannie, The Good Guys, The Flying Nun, Here's Lucy, Green Acres, Nanny and the Professor, My Three Sons, Love, American Style and The Odd Couple.

He had a recurring role as bar owner Tommy Kelsey (or Kelcy) in All in the Family from 1973-1977. His other sitcom guest appearances in the 1970s included Karen, The Love Boat, Szysznyk, Operation Petticoat, Alice and Three's Company. He provided voices for many animated series, including Beany and Cecil, The New Adventures of Superboy, Jeannie, Clue Club, Batman: The Animated Series and The New Batman Adventures.

Edward Herrmann (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Television and film actor Edward Herrmann starred as Richard Gilmore in Gilmore Girls and guest starred in several sitcoms. He died of brain cancer on December 31, 2014, in New York. Mr. Herrmann was 71.

Herrmann played Richard Gilmore, the father of Lorelai and grandfather to Rory, in Gilmore Girls from 2000-2007. His other drama roles included St. Elsewhere, Homicide: Life on the Street, The Practice, Oz, Crossing Jordan, Grey's Anatomy, Law & Order, Harry's Law and The Good Wife.

He played Herman Munster in the 1995 TV movie Here Come the Munsters. Some of his sitcom guest appearances included M*A*S*H, Wings, 30 Rock, Better with You and How I Met Your Mother.

Jan Hooks (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actress and comedian Jan Hooks was best known for her work on Saturday Night Live for five seasons and her starring role on the final two seasons of Designing Women. She died on October 9, 2014, of cancer at her home in Woodstock, New York. Ms. Hooks was 57.

Hooks joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1986. One of her best known characters was Candy Sweeney of "The Sweeney Sisters." Her sister Liz was played by Nora Dunn. Hooks' notable impressions included Bette Davis, Ann-Margret, Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan, Sinéad O'Connor, Jodie Foster, Tammy Faye Bakker, Kathie Lee Gifford, Kitty Dukakis, Diane Sawyer and Hillary Rodham Clinton. She continued to make cameo appearances on the show until 1994.

She left Saturday Night Live after five seasons in 1991 to join the cast of Designing Women. Creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason had asked her to join the series after Jean Smart left. Hooks starred as Carlene Dobbler in the final two seasons of the show from 1991-1993. Carlene was Charlene's (Jean Smart) dim-witted, newly divorced younger sister.

She had a recurring role as Victoria Marie "Vicki" Dubcek, the daughter of Ms. Dubcek (Elmarie Wendel) and Harry's (French Stewart) on-and-off girlfriend, in 3rd Rock from the Sun from 1996-2000. Hooks received an Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series" for the role in 1998. She provided the voice of Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon in The Simpsons in six episodes from 1997-2002. Her final television appearances were two episodes of 30 Rock in 2010 as Verna Maroney, the mother of Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski).

Some of her other television roles and appearances included Not Necessarily the News, Dear John, The Martin Short Show, The Dana Carvey Show, Hiller and Diller, Providence, Futurama (voice), Primetime Glick and Game Over (voice). Her film credits included Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Wildcats, Batman Returns, Coneheads, Simon Birch and Jiminy Glick in Lalawood.

Russell Johnson (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)

Actor Russell Johnson was best known for his role as "The Professor," the fix-it man who kept his fellow Gilligan's Island castaways supplied with gadgets. He died from kidney failure at his home in Bainbridge Island, Washington, on January 16, 2014. Mr. Johnson was 89.

During its three-season run on CBS, critics repeatedly lambasted Gilligan's Island as insipid. But after its cancellation in 1967, it found generations of new fans in reruns and reunion movies in the '70s and '80s (Rescue from Gilligan's Island, The Castaways on Gilligan's Island, The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island, and animated series Gilligan's Planet). One of the most recent of the reunion films was 2001's Surviving Gilligan's Island: The Incredibly True Story of the Longest Three-Hour Tour in History, in which other actors portrayed the original seven-member cast while Johnson and two other surviving cast members narrated and reminisced.

Before Gilligan's Island, Johnson had appeared in dozens of films and television shows. His TV credits included 77 Sunset Strip, Gunsmoke, Rawhide, Wagon Train, The Lone Ranger, The Twilight Zone, Ben Casey, Hawaiian Eye and Death Valley Days. Although he didn't work as often after Gilligan's Island, Johnson remained active into the late 1990s, appearing on such shows as ALF, The Jeffersons, My Two Dads, Dynasty and Newhart.

Don Keefer (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Character actor Don Keefer starred in the 1960s sitcom Angel. He died in Sherman Oaks, California on September 7, 2014. Mr. Keefer was 98.

Keefer played George, the next-door neighbor and husband of Susie (Doris Singleton), in the 1960-1961 CBS sitcom Angel. Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Car 54, Where Are You?, The Real McCoys, My Favorite Martian, The Munsters, Petticoat Junction, Bewitched, That Girl, The Andy Griffith Show, Green Acres and Alice.

Jim Lange (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Jim Lange hosted game shows such as The Dating Game and $100,000 Name That Tune and appeared in several sitcoms as himself. He died of a heart attack at his home in Mill Valley, California on February 25, 2014. Mr. Lange was 81.

Lange's other game shows included The $1,000,000 Chance of a Lifetime, Hollywood Connection, Bullseye and the ABC version of The Newlywed Game. His sitcom guest appearances included Bewitched, Laverne & Shirley, Parker Lewis Can't Lose and Moesha.

Cynthia Lynn (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Latvian-born actress Cynthia Lynn was best known for her role as Colonel Klink's secretary Fraulein Helga in Hogan's Heroes. She died on March 10,2014, in Los Angeles, California, from multiple organ failure after being stricken with hepatitis. Ms. Lynn was 77.

Lynn appeared as Colonel Klink's secretary Fraulein Helga during the first season of Hogan's Heroes in 1965-1966. She returned in an uncredited part in the 1968 episode Will the Blue Baron Strike Again?. She played Eva in the 1971 episode Easy Come, Easy Go. In 1998, she was interviewed in the E! True Hollywood Story on Bob Crane.

Her sitcom guest appearances included The Farmer's Daughter, Mr. Terrific, The Odd Couple and Love, American Style. Other television shows on which she appeared included Surfside 6, The Eleventh Hour, Dr. Kildare, Mission: Impossible, The Six Million Dollar Man and Harry O. She appeared in the 1964 film Bedtime Story. In 2000, she released Escape to Freedom: An Autobiography of Cynthia Lynn.

Sheila MacRae (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actress Sheila MacRae starred as Alice Kramden in The Jackie Gleason Show. She died on March 6, 2014, at the Lillian Booth Actor's Home in Englewood, New Jersey. She suffered from dementia but was otherwise in good health and died of natural causes. Ms. MacRae was 92.

MacRae's early television credits included Search for Tomorrow, I Love Lucy (as herself), Lux Video Theatre, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and The Trials of O'Brien. She played Alice Kramden in around 50 episodes of The Jackie Gleason Show (aka The Color Honeymooners) from 1966-1970. She later co-hosted The Sheila MacRae show in 1971. Her other guest appearances included The Love Boat, General Hospital and Murder, She Wrote. In 1990, she played Marilyn Buckman in the NBC dramedy Parenthood.

Dave Madden (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Canadian-born American actor was best known for his role as the group's manager Reuben Kincaid in The Partridge Family. He died on January 16, 2014, in Jacksonville, Florida of complications of myelodysplastic syndrome. Mr. Madden was 82.

Madden's career in Hollywood began with appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show. His first starring role was as Counselor Pruett in the 1965-1966 NBC sitcom Camp Runamuck. He had a regular role as a milk-drinking, confetti-throwing sad sack on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In from 1968–1969 on NBC. His other early guest appearances included Accidental Family, Bewitched and Love, American Style.

Madden played the fast-talking, child-hating agent/manager Reuben Kincaid in The Partridge Family. The popular sitcom ran for 4 seasons and 96 episodes on ABC from 1970-1974. He appeared in a 2003 Biography special on the series. The C'mon Get Happy fan site conducted an extensive interview with him in 2009. Our friends at Just My Show interviewed him in 2007.

He later had a recurring role as Mel's Diner customer and Tommy's basketball coach Earl Hicks in Alice from 1978-1985. His other sitcom guest appearances included Happy Days, Barney Miller, The Love Boat, The New Leave it to Beaver, Life with Lucy, Herman's Head (as the opening narrator), Married with Children, Boy Meets World and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. He released his memoirs, Reuben on Wry: The Memoirs of Dave Madden, in 2007.

Larry D. Mann (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Canadian character actor Larry D. Mann guest starred in many sitcoms. He died of natural causes on January 6, 2014, in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Mann was 91.

Mann had a regular role as Marty Warren, Jerry Webster's (Jerry Van Dyke) friend and lawyer, in the 1967-68 NBC sitcom Accidental Family. His many sitcom guest appearances included My Favorite Martian, Get Smart, Rango, Hey Landlord, He & She, Hogan's Heroes, Bewitched, Green Acres and The New Leave it to Beaver. Other television credits included Columbo, Night Gallery, Gunsmoke, Get Smart, Bonanza, Ironside, Dragnet and The Big Valley. He was also in The Sting as the train conductor/poker game dealer. He was the voice of Yukon Cornelius in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Sarah Marshall (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actress Sarah Marshall appeared in many popular classic television shows. She died after a lengthy battle with cancer on January 18, 2014, in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Marshall was 80.

Marshall starred in the short-lived 1979 CBS sitcom Miss Winslow and Son. She played Evelyn Winslow, the mother of Susan Winslow (played by Darleen Carr). Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Peter Loves Mary, F Troop, My Favorite Martian, The Donna Reed Show, Get Smart, Three's Company, The Jeffersons, Small Wonder and Cheers. Her other television credits included Thriller, Perry Mason, Twilight Zone, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, 77 Sunset Strip, The Fugitive, I Spy, The Wild Wild West, Star Trek, Ironside, The F.B.I., Daniel Boone, Hart to Hart and Remington Steele.

Frank Marth (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Character actor Frank Marth appeared in The Honeymooners and many other sitcoms. He died of died of congestive heart failure and Alzheimer's disease in Rancho Mirage, California on January 12, 2014. Mr. Marth was 91.

Marth was a cast member of Cavalcade of Stars, especially segments of The Honeymooners, which later became a television series. He played various recurring and one-time roles in The Honeymooners in 1955-1956. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Phil Silvers Show, Car 54, Where Are You?, The Patty Duke Show, My Favorite Martian, Here's Lucy, Hogan's Heroes, M*A*S*H, Sara and You Again?.

Arlene McQuade (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Arlene McQuade was best known for her role as Rosalie in the 1950s sitcom The Goldbergs. She died after a long battle with Parkinson's disease on April 21, 2014, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Ms. McQuade was 77.

McQuade played Rosalie Goldberg, one of the children, in The Goldbergs. The series aired from 1949-1954. Her other television guest appearances included Texaco Star Theatre, Telephone Time, The Lawless Years, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Have Gun - Will Travel, Hawaii Five-O and Death Valley Days.

Judi Meredith (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actress Judi Meredith appeared in The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. She died on April 30, 2014, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ms. Meredith was 77.

Meredith had the recurring role of Bonnie Sue McAfee in The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show in 1957-1958. She starred as Monique Deveraux in the 1959-1960 CBS western series Hotel de Paree. Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Blondie, The Gale Storm Show, The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet and Please Don't Eat the Daisies.

Rick Mittleman (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Emmy nominated writer Rick Mittleman worked on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Bewitched and many other television series. He died after being involved in a traffic accident in Los Angeles on July 30, 2014. Mr. Mittleman was 84.

Mittleman's other sitcom writing credits included The Dick Van Dyke Show, Good Morning, World, That Girl, The Doris Day Show, The Odd Couple and What's Happening!!. He received Emmy nominations in 1963 for The Red Skelton Show, in 1971 for the sitcom Arnie, and in 1976 for Van Dyke and Company.

Mary Ann Mobley (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actress Mary Ann Mobley appeared as Maggie McKinney Drummond in the final season of Diff'rent Strokes. She died at her home in Beverly Hills, California on December 9, 2014, from breast cancer. Ms. Mobley was 77.

Mobley won the Miss America crown in 1959, the first Mississippian to achieve this honor. Her film credits from 1964-1968 included Get Yourself a Girl, Girl Happy (with Elvis Presley), Harum Scarum (with Elvis Presley), Young Dillinger, Three on a Couch and For Singles Only. She won the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer in 1965.

She made multiple guest appearances in Burke's Law, Perry Mason, Mission: Impossible, Run for Your Life, The Sixth Sense, Love, American Style, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat and Falcon Crest. Some of her other television guest appearances included General Hospital, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Virginian, Iron Horse, Ironside, Police Story, Vega$, Matt Houston, Hotel and Dead Like Me. Her sitcom guest appearances included The Partridge Family, Designing Women, Hearts Afire, Hardball and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.

Mobley had a recurring role as Maggie McKinney Drummond, the wife of Phillip Drummond (Conrad Bain), in ten episodes in the final season of Diff'rent Strokes, which aired on ABC in 1985-1986. She replaced Dixie Carter in the role. Mobley had previously played Arnold's teacher and Drummond's love interest Nancy Osborne in the second season episode "Teacher's Pet."

Elizabeth Peña (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actress Elizabeth Peña starred in the short-lived sitcom I Married Dora. She died on October 14, 2014, in Los Angeles, California. The cause of death was reported as cirrhosis of the liver due to alcohol. Ms. Peña was 55.

Peña starred as Dora Calderon in the 1987-1988 ABC sitcom I Married Dora. Her other television roles included Shannon's Deal, L.A. Law and Boston Public. She guest starred as Pilar, Gloria's mother, in two episodes of Modern Family.

Mickey Rooney (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)

Actor and entertainer Mickey Rooney made film and television appearances in ten decades. He died at his home in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, on April 6, 2014. Mr. Rooney was 93.

Rooney had starring roles in three sitcoms. His first television starring role was as Mickey Mulligan in The Mickey Rooney Show (aka Hey Mulligan). He played an Irish American television studio page at the fictional International Broadcasting Company in Hollywood. The 1954-1955 NBC sitcom ran for 33 episodes. He next starred in the 1964-1965 NBC sitcom Mickey for 17 episodes. He appeared as Mickey Grady, a retired businessman, who inherits the luxury Newport Arms Hotel in Newport Beach, California, and decides to run it. His real-life son, Tim, played his 16-year-old son Timmy. Rooney won a Golden Globe Award for "Best Actor in a Television Series" in 1964. His final sitcom starring role was in the 1982 NBC sitcom One of the Boys. He played Oliver Nugent, an energetic senior citizen who moves in with his college-aged grandson. The 13-episode series also starred Dana Carvey, Nathan Lane, Scatman Crothers and Meg Ryan. His sitcom guest appearances included December Bride, The Phil Silvers Show, Hennesey, Pete and Gladys, The Lucy Show, The Love Boat, The Golden Girls, Full House and Norm.

Rooney's other main television role was as Henry Dailey in The Adventures of the Black Stallion. The Family Channel adventure series ran for 78 episodes from 1990-1993. He had previously played the role in the 1979 film The Black Stallion. Rooney received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. His other television guest appearances included Wagon Train, Checkmate, The Investigators, Naked City, The Dick Powell Theatre, The Twilight Zone, Burke's Law, Rawhide, The Fugitive, Night Gallery, Jack's Place, Murder, She Wrote, ER, Chicken Soul for the Soul and Safe Harbor. He won an Emmy and Golden Globe Award for his role in the 1981 television movie Bill.

Richard Schaal (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Character actor Richard Schaal had roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Bob Newhart Show, Rhoda and Phyllis. He died on November 4, 2014, at the Motion Picture and Television Fund retirement home in Woodland Hills, California. No cause of death has been announced. Mr. Schaal was 86.

Schaal appeared in five episodes as four different characters in The Mary Tyler Moore Show from 1970-1974. He played Howard Arnell, his brother Paul, Chuckles the Clown (the first on-camera appearance of Chuckles in "The Show Must Go On") and Dino. Schaal also appeared as three different characters in three episodes of The Bob Newhart Show from 1972-1974. He guest starred as Charlie Burke, an annoying friend of Rhoda's husband, in three episodes of Rhoda from 1974-1976.

He starred in the first season of the 1975-1977 CBS sitcom Phyllis. He appeared as Leo Heatherton, a well-meaning but bumbling photographer who worked with Phyllis (Cloris Leachman) and Julie (Liz Torres) at the studio. Schaal also directed one episode of the series in 1976.

In 1983, he had a recurring role as Chuck, Keith Burrow's (Richard Gilliand) neighbor, in the short-lived ABC sitcom Just Our Luck. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Dick Van Dyke Show, I Dream of Jeannie, That Girl, The Doris Day Show, Love, American Style, The Partridge Family, Here We Go Again, It's a Living, The Two of Us, Harper Valley P.T.A. and Sydney.

His drama credits included a recurring role as Dr. David Sandler in eight episodes of Trapper John, M.D. from 1981-1985. He appeared as Dick Long in the 1988-1989 CBS series Almost Grown, which starred Tim Daly and Eve Gordon. Some of his other drama guest appearances included East Side/West Side, The F.B.I., Banacek, Shaft, The Rockford Files, Harry O, Police Woman and The Dukes of Hazzard. His film credits included The Russians Are Coming, the Russians are Coming, Slaughterhouse-Five, Americathon, The Hollywood Knights and Once Bitten.

Abby Singer (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)

Abby Singer was a production manager and assistant director who worked on many television series. He died of cancer on March 13, 2014, in Woodland Hills, California. Mr. Singer was 96.

Singer worked as a production manager for The Doris Day Show from 1968-1973. Some of his other sitcom credits as production manager included Phyllis, Mary Tyler Moore, The Bob Newhart Show, Rhoda, WKRP in Cincinnati, Newhart and Major Dad (where he was also a coordinating producer). His other television production manager credits included The Virignian, It Takes a Thief, Gunsmoke, The White Shadow, Lou Grant, Hill Street Blues, Remington Steele and St. Elsewhere.

Ben Starr (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)

Ben Starr was a television writer, producer and creator. He died on January 19, 2014, at his home in Los Angeles, California of congestive heart failure. Mr. Starr was 92.

Starr's early sitcom writing credits included Duffy's Tavern, My Hero, I Married Joan, The Ray Milland, December Bride, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and Bachelor Father. He wrote 40 episodes of Mister Ed from 1961-1963. Other sitcoms he wrote multiple episodes of included My Favorite Martian, Petticoat Junction, The Brady Bunch, Chico and the Man and All in the Family.

He worked as a writer and producer for Diff'rent Strokes from 1978-1982. He was instrumental in inadvertently coining the famous "Whatchu talking 'bout Willis?" catchphrase by Gary Coleman. The line was originally written as "What are you talking about, Willis?" before Coleman gave his classic delivery. He was interviewed in the E! True Hollywood Story specials on Diff'rent Strokes and Dana Plato in 1998 and 1999. In 1979, he helped develop the spin-off series The Facts of Life with Howard Leeds and Jerry Mayer. The popular series aired on NBC for 9 seasons and 209 episodes. Starr later helped create Silver Spoons with Leeds and Martin Cohan in 1982. The series, starring Ricky Schroder, Joel Higgins and Erin Gray, aired for five seasons (four on NBC and one in first-run syndication).

Marcia Strassman (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actress Marcia Strassman was best known for her role as Julie Kotter in Welcome Back, Kotter. She died on October 24, 2014, of breast cancer at her home in Sherman Oaks, California. Ms. Strassman was 66.

Strassman's early television guest appearances included The Patty Duke Show and Ironside. She had a recurring role as Nurse Margie Cutler in six episodes of the first season of M*A*S*H in 1972-1973. Other guest appearances in the early 1970s included Love Story, Police Story, Marcus Welby, M.D. and City of Angels.

She landed the breakout role of Julie Kotter, Gabe Kotter's (Gabe Kaplan) wife, in Welcome Back, Kotter in 1975. The popular ABC sitcom ran for four seasons and 95 episodes from 1975-1979. It also starred John Travolta, Robert Hegyes, Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, Ron Palillo and John Sylvester White. Julie and Gabe had twin girls Rachel and Robin in the third season. She worked as a secretary and later as a substitute teacher at Buchanan High after Gabe was promoted to vice-principal. Strassman was interviewed in the Truth Behind the Sitcom Scandals 5 and the E! True Hollywood Story on Welcome Back, Kotter in 2000.

Her other starring roles included the short-lived NBC sitcom Good Time Harry in 1980. She played a reporter named Carol Younger in the series which starred Ted Bessell and Eugene Roche. She co-starred as Alicia Rudd, Dennis Booker's (Richard Grieco) boss, in the 21 Jump Street spin-off series Booker on Fox in 1989-1990. She appeared as the mom Martine Beznick in the 2000-2001 Nickelodeon sitcom Noah Knows Best. In 2003, she starred as Nancy Sterngood in the Sci-Fi Channel series Tremors.

Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat, At Ease, E/R, I Married Dora, Phenom, Odd Man Out and Twenty Good Years. Her television drama appearances included Fantasy Island, Time Express, The Rockford Files, Magnum, P.I., Shadow Chasers, Stingray, Amazing Stories, Civil Wars, Sweet Justice, Touched by an Angel, Murder, She Wrote, Highlander, L.A. Heat and Baywatch. She had a recurring role as Meredith in Providence in 2001-2002. In 2004, she had a recurring role as Sergeant Laura Wynn in four episodes of Third Watch.

She was also well known for her role as Diane Szalinski in the the 1989 feature film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids; its 1992 sequel Honey, I Blew Up the Kid; and the 1994 3-D film spin-off Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!, which was shown at several Disney theme parks through mid-2010.

Elaine Stritch (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Emmy Award-winning actress Elaine Stritch played the recurring role as Jack Donaghy's (Alec Baldwin) mother in 30 Rock. She died in her sleep at her home in Birmingham, Michigan, on July 17, 2014. Ms. Stritch was 89.

One of Stritch's earliest television appearances was in the 1949 sitcom The Growing Paynes. She starred with Shirley Bonne in the 1960-1961 CBS sitcom My Sister Eileen. She appeared as Sydney Brewster, Ellen's acerbic mother, in The Ellen Burstyn Show. The series aired on ABC in 1986-1987.

Stritch had a recurring role as Jack Donaghy's mother, Colleen, in 30 Rock from 2007-2012. She won an Emmy for the role in 2007. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Head of the Class, The Cosby Show, Bless This House, Soul Man and 3rd Rock from the Sun. In 1993, she won an Emmy for her guest role on Law & Order.

Carol Ann Susi (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actress Carol Ann Susi was best known for providing the voice of the unseen Mrs. Wolowitz on The Big Bang Theory. She died of cancer on November 11, 2014, in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Susi was 62.

Susi provided the voice of Mrs. Debbie Wolowitz, the mother of Howard (Simon Helberg), in around 40 episodes of The Big Bang Theory. She first did the voice in "The Dumpling Paradox" in the first season on November 5, 2007. Her character was known for her raspy voice. She would often talk to Howard off-screen by yelling at him from another room.

Susi's sitcom guest appearances included My Sister Sam, Who's the Boss?, Growing Pains, Night Court, Murphy Brown, Head of the Class, Cheers, Doogie Howser, M.D., Seinfeld, A Different World, Mad About You, Blossom, Married... with Children, Something So Right, Just Shoot Me!, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Becker, The Drew Carey Show, The King of Queens, Out of Practice and That '70s Show.

She made her first television appearance as Monique Marmelstein, Kolchak's secretary, in three episodes of Kolchak: The Night Stalker in 1974. Some of her other drama guest appearances included McMillan & Wife, Simon & Simon, Jake and the Fatman, NYPD Blue, ER, Six Feet Under, Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy. Her film credits included The Secret of My Success, My Blue Heaven, Death Becomes Her, Cats & Dogs and Just Go with It.

Meshach Taylor (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actor Meshach Taylor was best known for his roles as Anthony Bouvier in Designing Women and as Dr. Sheldon Baylor in Dave's World. He died from colorectal cancer on June 28, 2014, at his home in Altadena, California. Mr. Taylor was 67.

Taylor's early television career included guest appearances in Barnaby Jones, The Incredible Hulk, The White Shadow, M*A*S*H, Barney Miller and Cagney & Lacey. He landed his first starring role as Tony in the 1983-84 NBC sitcom Buffalo Bill. The short-lived series starred Dabney Coleman, Joanna Cassidy, John Fielder, Max Wright, Geena Davis and Charles Robinson. The critically-acclaimed series received 11 Emmy Award nominations, including two for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Taylor starred as Anthony Bouvier in the 1986-93 CBS sitcom Designing Women. The popular series ran for 7 seasons. It starred Delta Burke, Dixie Carter, Jean Smart and Annie Potts. Anthony was an ex-con who worked as the deliveryman-handyman at the interior decorating business, Sugarbakers. He later became a partner of the design firm. Taylor received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1989. He reprised his role of Anthony Bouvier in an episode of the spin-off series Women of the House in 1995. In 2003, he appeared in The Designing Women Reunion on Lifetime.

He next starred as Dr. Sheldon Baylor in the 1993-97 CBS sitcom Dave's World. The series was based on the writing of Pulitzer Prize-winning Miami Herald columnist Dave Barry. It focused on the daily trials and tribulations of Barry and his family. The series starred Harry Anderson, DeLane Matthews, Shadoe Stevens, J.C. Wendel, Zane Carney and Andrew Ducote. Sheldon (Shel) was their neighbor and Dave's best friend from high school. He was a recently divorced plastic surgeon.

Taylor had a recurring role in the 2004-07 Nickelodeon sitcom Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide. He played Alastair Wright, the social studies teacher and later school principal. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Golden Girls, ALF, What's Happening Now!!, Punky Brewster, Caroline in the City, The Drew Carey Show, All of Us, Hannah Montana and Jessie. His best known film role was as Hollywood Montrose, a flamboyant window dresser in Mannequin. Some of his other film credits included Damien: Omen II, The Howling, Explorers, The Allnighter and Mannequin Two: On the Move.

Stanford Tischler (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)

Stanford Tischler was an award-winning film editor and producer. He died on January 15, 2014. Mr. Tischler was 92.

Tischler worked as an editor for the entire run of M*A*S*H from 1972-1983. He was nominated for an Emmy ten times and won in 1976. He also worked as an associate producer of 130 episodes of the series from 1977-1983.

His other sitcom editing credits included Leave it to Beaver, Bachelor Father, Nanny and the Professor and AfterMASH (where he also worked as an associate producer).

Ken Weatherwax (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actor Ken Weatherwax played Pugsley Addams in The Addams Family. He died on December 7, 2014, of a heart attack at his home in West Hills, California. Mr. Weatherwax was 59.

Weatherwax appeared as Puglsey Addams, the oldest child of Morticia and Gomez Addams, in The Addams Family. The popular sitcom ran for two seasons on ABC from 1964-1966. Pugsley was known for wearing striped shirts and shorts. He reunited with the cast in the 1977 NBC TV movie Halloween with the New Addams Family. He played Puglsey Addams, Sr., who had become a witch doctor.

At the age of 17, he entered the U.S. Army. He later worked in Hollywood behind the camera as a movie studio grip and set builder. He also made appearances at fan conventions and Addams Family-related events.

Robin Williams (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Oscar-winning actor and stand-up comedian Robin Williams rose to fame as the alien Mork in Mork & Mindy. He died as a result of suicide on August 11, 2014, in his home in Paradise Cay, California. Mr. Williams was 63.

Williams' television career began in 1977 with two appearances in the NBC comedy variety series The Richard Pryor Show. His other early television guest appearances included Laugh-In, Eight is Enough and America 2-Night. He first appeared as Mork in the fifth season episode of Happy Days titled "My Favorite Orkan," which aired on ABC on February 28, 1978. After the success of the appearance, Williams was given his own spin-off series.

Mork & Mindy premiered on ABC on September 14, 1978. Williams played the alien Mork from the planet Ork. He met the pretty Mindy McConnell (Pam Dawber) after he landed in a giant egg-shaped spacecraft near Boulder, Colorado. Mork was known for putting on his suit backwards. He would often wear rainbow suspenders later in the series. The crazy character would sit in a chair upside down. He had a hand gesture similar to Mr. Spock's Vulcan salute from Star Trek combined with a handshake. His catchphrases were "Shazbot" (an Orkan profanity) and "Na-Nu Na-Nu," which meant goodbye in the Orkan language. Williams was known for improvising much of his dialogue and physical comedy.

The series became an instant hit in the first season when it finished tied in third place with Happy Days in the Nielsen ratings. The series was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. Robin Williams received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1979. Some changes to the stories and cast were made in the second season. It was also moved to a different night and timeslot. The show never recovered in the ratings. Williams' idol Jonathan Winters was brought in the final season as Mork and Mindy's child, Mearth. They still had a nice run for four seasons and 95 episodes. Williams also appeared as Mork in the premiere episode of the ABC sitcom Out of the Blue. He returned as Mork in the sixth season Happy Days episode titled "Mork Returns." He also voiced the character in the animated series the Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour in 1982-1983.

Williams had guest appearances in many television series. His comedy guest appearances included The Larry Sanders Show, Friends, Life with Bonnie, Wilfred and Louie. Some of his other television credits included Faerie Tale Theatre, SCTV Network, Pryor's Place, Saturday Night Live and L.A. Doctors. He won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for Carol, Carl, Whoopi and Robin in 1987 and Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for ABC Presents: A Royal Gala in 1988. In 1995, he received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor for his role as Robert Ellison, a grieving widower and father, in the episode "Bop Gun" of Homicide: Life on the Streets. He received another Emmy nomination in 2008 for Outstanding Guest Actor for his role as Merritt Rook in the episode "Authority" of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

In 2013, Williams returned to a series regular role in the CBS sitcom The Crazy Ones. He played Simon Roberts, a father who works with his daughter (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar) in a Chicago advertising office. The series also starred Richard Wolk, Hamish Linklater and Amanda Setton. Despite good reviews and respectable ratings, it was canceled after one season.

He was also known for his stand-up comedy. He had three HBO comedy specials in the late 1970s and 1980s: Off the Wall (1978), An Evening with Robin Williams (1982), and Robin Williams: Live at the Met (1986). He later appeared on HBO in his one-man show called Robin Williams: Live on Broadway in 2002. In 2009, he had a 26-city tour titled "Weapons of Self-Destruction".

Williams had roles in more than 75 films. He received Academy Award nominations for his work in Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society and The Fisher King. In 1998, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Sean Maguire, a psychiatrist who helps a genius (played by Matt Damon) realize his potential, in the 1997 film Good Will Hunting. He won Golden Globe Awards for his roles in Good Morning, Vietnam, The Fisher King and Mrs. Doubtfire. Some of his other acclaimed films and financial successes included Popeye, The World According to Garp, Awakenings, Hook, Jumanji, The Birdcage and Night at the Museum. Other film highlights included Moscow on the Hudson, Flubber, Patch Adams, What Dreams May Come, Bicentennial Man, Insomnia and One Hour Photo. He provided his voice in Aladdin, FernGully: The Last Rainforest, Robots and Happy Feet.

Carmen Zapata (IMDB/Wikipedia)

Actress Carmen Zapata appeared in over one hundred films and television shows. She died on January 5, 2014, in Los Angeles from heart problems. Ms. Zapata was 86.

Zapata starred in the short-lived 1976 ABC sitcom Viva Valdez as the mother, Sophia Valdez. She appeared as Josefina in the 1971-1972 ABC drama The Man and the City, which starred Anthony Quinn and Mike Farrell. She played Mrs. Chavez in the short-lived 1980 CBS detective drama Hagen. Zapata had a recurring role as Carmen Castillo in Santa Barbara from 1985-1990. Her longest-running role was on the bilingual children's program Villa Alegre, where for nine years she played the lead character, Doña Luz.

Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Room 222, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Love, American Style, Chico and the Man, Archie Bunker's Place, a.k.a. Pablo, Foley Square, Married with Children, Homeroom, Fudge and Common Law.