Wednesday, December 28, 2016
In Memoriam: Remembering the Sitcom Stars We Lost in 2016
Today we remember the sitcom actors, actresses, producers, directors, writers, composers and other crew members who died in 2016. We lost stars from Alice, Bachelor Father, Barney Miller, Benson, Bewitched, The Bob Newhart Show, The Brady Bunch, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Everybody Loves Raymond, The Flying Nun, Growing Pains, The Larry Sanders Show, M*A*S*H, Martin, Mister Ed, The Nanny, One Day at a Time, The Patty Duke Show, Punky Brewster 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.
Norman Abbott (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Director Norman Abbott worked on many sitcoms. He died on July 9, 2016, in Valencia, California. Mr. Abbott was 93.
Abbott's sitcom directing credits included Bachelor Father, Dennis the Menace, Ichabod and Me, Leave it to Beaver, McKeever & the Colonel, I'm Dickens, He's Fenster, McHale's Navy, Get Smart, The Munsters, The Brady Bunch, Nanny and the Professor, Love, American Style, That's My Mama, Sanford and Son, Welcome Back, Kotter and Alice.
Actor, stand-up comedian and voice artist Joe Alaskey starred as Beano Froelich in Out of This World. He died in Green Island, New York, from cancer on February 3, 2016. Mr. Alaskey was 63.
Alaskey starred as Beano Froelich in the syndicated sitcom Out of This World from 1987-1990. The series starred Donna Pescow, Maureen Flannigan, Doug McClure, Buzz Belmondo, Burt Reynolds (voice only) and Steve Burton.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Night Court, Head of the Class, Nurses and The Golden Palace.
Alaskey was a prolific voice artist. He provided the voice of Grandpa Lou Pickles in Rugrats and All Grown Up!. Some of his other voice credits included Tiny Toon Adventures, The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries and Duck Dodgers. He won a 2004 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for Duck Dodgers.
Eddie Applegate (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Eddie Applegate was best known for the role of Richard Harrison, the boyfriend of Patty Lane on The Patty Duke Show. He died on October 17, 2016, at a nursing home in Los Angeles after a long illness. Mr. Applegate was 81.
Applegate played Richard Harrison on The Patty Duke Show in 70 episodes from 1963-1966. He reprised the role in the 1999 TV movie The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' in Brooklyn Heights.
He appeared as Willie in the 1970-1971 NBC sitcom Nancy. The series starred Renne Jarrett, John Fink, Robert F. Simon, Celseste Holm, William Bassett, Ernesto Macias and Frank Aletter. In 1963, he guest starred on The Lucy Show as Bob Mooney.
Barbara Allyne Bennet (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Barbara Allyne Bennet guest starred in many television shows. She died at City of Hope hospital in Duarte, California, on January 9, 2016. Ms. Bennet was 76.
She worked as a production coordinator on the short-lived television sitcom Flying High, which aired on CBS in 1978-1979. The series starred Pat Klous, Connie Sellecca, Kathryn Witt, Howard Platt and Ken Olfson.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Flying High, Black Tie Affair, Go Fish, The Office and Veep.
Her drama guest appearances included Dynasty, Murder, She Wrote, Santa Barbara, Beauty and the Beast, Snoops, Party of Five, NYPD Blue, Felicity, The Practice, Chicago Hope, Brothers & Sisters and Shameless.
Judith-Marie Bergan (IMDB)
Actress Judith-Marie Bergan starred in the short-lived sitcoms Domestic Life and All Is Forgiven. She died of lung cancer on August 20, 2016. Ms. Bergan was 67.
Bergan starred as Candy Crane in the 1984 NBC sitcom Domestic Life. The series starred Martin Mull, Christian Brackett-Zika, Megan Follows, Robert Ridgely, Mie Hunt, Hoyt Axton and J. Alan Thomas.
She starred as Cecile Porter-Lindsey in the 1986 NBC sitcom All Is Forgiven. The series starred Bess Armstrong, Terence Knox, Carol Kane, Shawnee Smith, Valerie Landsburg, David Alan Grier, Bill Wiley and Debi Richter.
Some of her other sitcom credits included Soap, WKRP in Cincinnati, Bosom Buddies, The Two of Us, Maggie (8 episodes as Buffy Croft), Gloria, Taxi, Oh Madeline, Three's Company, Open House, ALF, Blossom, Major Dad, Herman's Head, Murphy Brown and Empty Nest.
Actor Tony Burton starred in Frank's Place. He died on February 25, 2016, from complications of pneumonia at a hospital in Menifee, California. Mr. Burton was 78.
Burton starred as Big Arthur, the head chef, in the 1987-1988 CBS sitcom Frank's Place. The series starred Tim Reid, Robert Harper, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Francesca P. Roberts, Frances E. Williams, Virginia Capers, Charles Lampkin, Lincoln Kilpatrick, William Thomas, Jr. and Don Yesso.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Good Times, Sanford and Son, C.P.O. Sharkey, Amen and A Different World.
He was best known for his role as trainer Tony "Duke" Evers in the Rocky franchise.
Tonita Castro (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Tonita Castro starred in the short-lived sitcoms Go On and Dads. She died from stomach cancer on May 8, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Castro was 63.
She played Fausta, a member of the group, who is grieving the death of her father and brother, in Go On. The 2012-2013 NBC sitcom starred Matthew Perry, Laura Benanti, Julie White, Suzy Nakamura, Tyler James Williams, Brett Gelman, Sarah Baker and John Cho.
Castro starred as Edna, Eli's maid, in the 2013-2014 Fox sitcom Dads. The series starred Seth Green, Giovanni Ribisi Brenda Song, Vanessa Lachey, Peter Riegert and Martin Mull.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Sarah Silverman Program, The League, Two and a Half Men, Raising Hope, Jennifer Falls, The Grinder, Bella and the Bulldogs and Life in Pieces.
William Christopher (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor William Christopher was best known for playing Father Mulcahy in M*A*S*H. He died at his home in Pasadena, California on December 31, 2016, from small-cell carcinoma. Mr. Christopher was 84.
Christopher's early sitcom guest appearances included Hank, The Patty Duke Show, The Andy Griffith Show (2 episodes) and Hogan's Heroes (4 episodes). He appeared in the drama 12 O'Clock High and western Death Valley Days.
He had a recurring role as Pvt. Lester Hummel in 16 episodes of the CBS sitcom Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. from 1965-1968. He guest starred in two episodes of That Girl as Chippy Dolan in 1969-1970.
Christopher starred as Father Francis Mulcahy in the CBS sitcom M*A*S*H, which aired from 1972-1983. He began appearing in the second episode, as George Morgan played the character in the pilot episode. He was a recurring character for seasons 1-4 and a series regular for seasons 5-11. Father Mulcahy was a Roman Catholic priest, and served as a US Army chaplain assigned to the 4077th. He was a First Lieutenant (O-2) and later was promoted to a Captain (O-3) U.S.A.R.. Christopher was interviewed for Memories of M*A*S*H in 2001, M*A*S*H: TV Tales in 2002 and the M*A*S*H: 30th Anniversary Reunion in 2002.
He was joined by M*A*S*H cast members Harry Morgan (Col. Sherman Potter) and Jamie Farr (Max Klinger) in the spin-off series AfterMASH, which aired for two seasons on CBS from 1983-1984. The series also starred Barbara Townsend, Anne Pitoniak, Rosalind Chao, John Chappell, Peter Michael Goetz, Jay O. Sanders, Brandis Kemp and David Ackroyd.
Some of this other sitcom guest appearances included Karen, Good Times, The Love Boat, The New WKRP in Cincinnati and Mad About You. He guest starred as a murderous bird watcher named Burton Hollis in a 1985 episode of Murder, She Wrote. Some of his other drama guest appearances included The Virginian, Alias Smith and Jones, Nichols, Columbo, Movin' On, Lucas Tanner, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Team Knight Rider. He had a recurring role as Father Tobias in 11 episodes of Days of Our Lives in 2011.
Television and film composer Ray Colcord provided the music for many sitcoms. He died on February 5, 2016, at his Los Angeles, California home after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Mr. Colcord was 66.
Colcord was the composer for many sitcoms in the 1980s and 1990s. His credits included Silver Spoons, Double Trouble, Women in Prison, The Charmings, The Facts of Life, 227, My Two Dads, The Torkelsons, Where I Live, Dinosaurs, Maybe This Time, Hiller and Diller, You Wish, Boy Meets World, Family Affair and Lost at Home. Most recently, he was working on Disney Channel's Girl Meets World.
His film credits included The Devonsville Terror, The Sleeping Car, The Paper Brigade, Amityville Dollhouse, Wish Upon a Star, Heartwood and The King's Guard.
Noreen Corcoran (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Noreen Corcoran starred as Kelly Gregg in Bachelor Father. She died on January 15, 2016, of cardiopulmonary disease at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, California. Ms. Corcoran was 72.
Corcoran starred as teenager Kelly Gregg, the niece of Bentley Gregg, in the 1957-1962 CBS/NBC/ABC sitcom Bachelor Father. The series starred John Forsythe, Sammee Tong, Bernadette Withers and Jimmy Boyd (1958-1961).
Some of her television guest appearances included The Adventures of Kit Karson, The Loretta Young Show, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, Circus Boy, Saints and Sinners, Going My Way, Dr. Kildare, The Eleventh Hour, Gunsmoke, Mr. Novak and The Big Valley.
Writer Kevin Curran worked on Married with Children and The Simpsons. He died of complications from cancer on October 25, 2016, in West Hollywood, California. Mr. Curran was 59 years old.
Curran wrote 11 episodes of Married with Children. He was the story editor for 23 episodes and served as producer for 76 episodes. He provided the voice of Buck the Dog in most of the episodes, except for several done by Cheech Marin. He also did the voice of Lucky the Dog.
He wrote 11 episodes of The Simpsons. He also served as an producer on the series.
Curran co-created the 1994 Fox sitcom Hardball. He also co-created and executive produced The Good Life. He was an executive Producer on the series Unhappily Ever After with Ron Leavitt from 1997-1999.
Michael Dann (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)
Michael Dann was vice president of programming at CBS from 1963 to 1970. He died on May 27, 2016, in Boca Raton, Florida. Mr. Dann was 94.
He helped bring The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Carol Burnett Show, Petticoat Junction and Green Acres to CBS.
Director and producer Rod Daniel worked on WKRP in Cincinnati and several other sitcoms. He died at his Chicago, Illinois home from complications of Parkinson's disease on April 16, 2016. Mr. Daniel was 73.
Daniel directed 24 episodes of WKRP in Cincinnati from 1979-1981. He also worked a producer on the series.
Some of his other sitcom directing credits included Harper Valley, P.T., Teacher's Only, Filthy Rich, Newhart, The Duck Factory (also a producer), A Whole New Ballgame, Caroline in the City, Boston Common, Everybody Loves Raymond, Built to Last and Men Behaving Badly.
His film directing credits included Teen Wolf, Like Father Like Son, K-9, The Super, Beethoven's 2nd, Genius, Alley Cats Strike and Home Alone 4.
Actress Jo de Winter starred in the short-lived All in the Family spin-off Gloria. She died on January 17, 2016. Ms. de Winter was 94.
She starred as Dr. Maggie Lawrence in the 1982-1983 CBS sitcom Gloria. The series starred Sally Struthers, Burgess Meredith, Lou Richards and Christian Jacobs.
She had a recurring role as an executive secretary named Helena in The Name of the Game. Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Brady Bunch, The Doris Day Show, Soap, Archie Bunker's Place, Gimme a Break!, Foley Square, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Growing Pains, Dear John, Newhart, Day by Day, The Munsters Today, Frasier and The John Larroquette Show.
Art director Mary Dodson worked on several sitcoms. She died on February 15, 2016, in Woodland Hills, California, from complications of Parkinson’s disease. Ms. Dodson was 83.
Her sitcom credits included Delta House, Taxi, The Brady Brides, Mork & Mindy, Full House and The Hogan Family.
She was the art director for 102 episodes of Murder, She Wrote. She received three Emmy nominations for her work on the series. Some of her other television credits included Battlestar Galactica, Finders of Lost Loves, Starman and Falcon Crest.
She was married to actor Jack Dodson, who played Howard Sprague in The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry R.F.D..
Alice Drummond (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Alice Drummond starred in the short-lived sitcoms Frannie's Turn and Lenny. She died on November 30, 2016, from complications of a fall at her home in The Bronx, New York City. Ms. Drummond was 88.
Drummond appeared as Mary Callahan in the 1990-1991 CBS sitcom Lenny. It starred Lenny Clarke, Lee Garlington, Jenna von Oÿ, Alexis Caldwell, the Farmer Twins, Peter Dobson and Eugene Roche.
She starred as Rosa Escobar in the 1992 CBS sitcom Frannie's Turn. The series starred Miriam Margolyes, Tomas Milian, Phoebe Augustine, Stivi Paskoski, LaTanya Richardson, Taylor Negron and Dan Butler.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Park Place, Love, Sidney, Night Court, Kate & Allie, Grace Under Fire, Cosby and Spin City.
Her most well known film role was as the librarian in the opening scenes in Ghostbusters.
Actor Gary Dubin was best known for his role of Punky Lazaar, a friend of Danny's in The Partridge Family. He died on October 8, 2016, from bone cancer in Burbank, California. Mr. Dubin was 57.
Dubin appeared in six episodes of The Partridge Family as Punky Lazaar from 1971-1974.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Accidental Family, Green Acres, Family Affair, The Doris Day Show, Getting Together and The Facts of Life.
Patty Duke (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)
Oscar and Emmy-winnning actress Patty Duke starred as Patty and Cathy Lane in The Patty Duke Show. She died on March 29, 2016, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, of sepsis from a ruptured intestine. Ms. Duke was 69.
Duke's early television guest appearances included The Brighter Day, Rendezvous, Kitty Foyle, Kraft Theatre, Armstrong Circle Theatre, Ben Casey and The United States Steel Hour. After winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at age 16 for her role as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker in 1963, she was given her own TV series.
Duke played Patricia "Patty" Lane, a fun-loving American teenager who occasionally got into minor trouble at school and home, and her prim and proper "identical cousin" from Scotland, Catherine "Cathy" Lane, in The Patty Duke Show. The popular sitcom ran on ABC for three seasons from 1963-1966. The series also starred William Schallert, Jean Byron, Paul O'Keefe and Eddie Applegate. Duke received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series for her roles in the series in 1964. The cast reunited in the 1999 CBS TV movie The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' In Brooklyn Heights. In 2009, the cast (except Byron, who died in February 2006) reunited again for a series of PSAs for the Social Security Administration.
She later starred in several short-lived sitcoms and dramas. She starred with Richard Crenna, Helen Hunt and Anthony Edwards in the 1982-1983 ABC sitcom It Takes Two. In 1985, she starred as President Julia Mansfield in the ABC sitcom Hail to the Chief. She played Karen Matthews in the 1987 Fox sitcom Karen's Song, which starred Lainie Kazan, Lewis Smith and Teri Hatcher. She starred in the short-lived 1995 NBC drama Amazing Grace.
Duke received her second Emmy Award in 1977 for the TV miniseries Captains and the Kings. Some of her other television guest appearances included The Virginian, Matt Lincoln, Night Gallery, Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law, Police Story, Police Woman, The Streets of San Francisco, The Love Boat, It's a Living, The Torkelsons, Frasier, Touched by an Angel (Emmy nominated), Judging Amy, Hawaii Five-0 and Glee. In one of her final roles, she guest starred as Grandma Janice and Great-Aunt Hilary, a pair of identical twins, in the Disney Channel's Liv and Maddie.
She appeared in many TV movies. She won her first Emmy Award for My Sweet Charlie in 1970. In 1980, she won her third Emmy Award for the the TV version of The Miracle Worker. Other TV movie credits included The Women's Room, The Girl on the Edge of Town and A Time to Triumph.
Ronnie Claire Edwards (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Ronnie Claire Edwards was best known for playing Corabeth Walton Godsey in The Waltons. She died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in her sleep on June 14, 2016. Ms. Edwards was 83.
Edwards appeared as Helen Newcomb in the short-lived 1985 sitcom Sara. The series starred Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Bill Maher, Bronson Pinchot, Mark Hudson and Matthew Lawrence.
She starred as Carly Hightower in the short-lived 1988 ABC sitcom Just in Time. The series starred Tim Matheson, Patricia Kalember, ALan Blumenfield, Nada Despotovich and Patrick Breen.
Her other sitcom guest appearances included Designing Women and The Torkelsons.
Bob Elliott (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)
Actor and comedian Bob Elliott was one-half of the comedy duo of Bob and Ray. He died in Cundy's Harbor, Maine on February 2, 2016, from throat cancer. Mr. Elliott was 92.
Elliott and Ray Goulding co-hosted the NBC comedy/variety series Bob and Ray in 1951-1953. It was a 15-minute show.
He starred with his son Chris Elliott as Fred Peterson in the 1990-1992 Fox sitcom Get a Life. The series starred Elinor Donahue, Sam Robards (1990-1991) and Robin Riker.
His sitcom guest appearances included Happy Days, Coming of Age, Newhart, LateLine and King of the Hill (voice).
Carrie Fisher (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Carrie Fisher was best known for playing Princess Leia in the Star Wars film series. She died on December 27, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. She went into cardiac arrest on December 23 and never recovered. Ms. Fisher was 60.
She had recently starred in the British comedy Catastrophe, which airs in the UK on Channel 4 and in the USA on Amazon Prime Instant Video. She played Mia, the mother of Rob Norris (Rob Delaney), in four episodes of the series.
Fisher provided the voice of Angela in 23 episodes of Family Guy.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Laverne & Shirley, Frasier, Ellen, Sex and the City, Good Morning, Miami, Weeds, 30 Rock, Entourage, The Big Bang Theory and Legit. She wrote an episode of Roseanne in 1997.
Tommy Ford (Thomas Mikal Ford) (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Tommy Ford was best known for his role as Tommy Strawn in Martin. He died on October 12, 2016, at an Atlanta area hospital after an aneurysm in his abdomen ruptured. Mr. Ford was 52.
Ford played Tommy Strawn in Martin, which aired for five seasons on Fox from 1992-1997. Tommy was one of Martin's three best friends. He was the straight man for Martin Lawrence's jokes, but he very often inserted scene-stealing "bald-headed logic" and witty comments in odd situations. There were many jokes regarding his mysterious employment status. He was the only character to physically appear in all 132 episodes of the series. Ford received a NAACP Image Awards nomination in 1996 for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series" for the role.
He earlier starred in the short-lived 1990 NBC sitcom Singer & Sons. He played the streetwise Reggie Patterson, the son of Sarah Patterson (Esther Rolle). The series also starred Harold Gould, Bobby Hosea, Brooke Fontaine, Fred Stoller, Arnetia Walker, Anne Berger and Phil Leeds.
Ford had a recurring role as Mel Parker in seven episodes of the UPN sitcom The Parkers from 1999-2001. He was Nikki's (Mo'Nique) ex-husband and Kim's father (Countess Vaughn).
In 1998, he played the role of Lieutenant Malcolm Barker in the fourth and final season of the Fox police drama New York Undercover. He was the commanding officer of the NYPD's Special Investigations Division.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Kate & Allie, A Different World, Uncle Buck (1990), Living Single, The Jamie Foxx Show, Let's Stay Together and Zoe Ever After.
He was known as the "Pope of Comedy", due to exposure as a judge on TV One's comedy competition show Bill Bellamy's Who's Got Jokes?.
Welsh actor Bernard Fox was best known for his role as Dr. Bombay in Bewitched. He died on December 14, 2016, of heart failure at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, California. Mr. Fox was 89.
Fox first appeared in Bewitched as a professional witch debunker named Osgood Rightmire in the 1966 episode Disappearing Samantha. He played witch doctor Dr. Bombay in 18 episodes of the series from 1967-1972. He reprised the role in two episodes of Tabitha in 1977-1978. Fox appeared as Dr. Bombay in two episodes of the supernatural-themed daytime soap opera Passions in 1999-2000. In 1999, he was interviewed for the E! True Hollywood Story on Bewitched.
He guest starred as Colonel Rodney Crittendon in eight episodes of Hogan's Heroes from 1965-1970. Colonel Crittendon was a Royal Air Force group captain whose medals include the Distinguished Service Order, Order of the British Empire, Military Cross and Bar, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Force Cross. He played the dual role of British traitor Sir Charles Chitterly in the two-part episode Lady Chitterly's Lover in 1970.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Make Room for Daddy, McHale's Navy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Andy Griffith Show, F Troop, I Dream of Jeannie, The Farmer's Daughter, The Monkees, The Partridge Family, Love, American Style, Soap, M*A*S*H, What's Happening!!, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, Punky Brewster and Dharma & Greg.
His drama guest appearances included Perry Mason, I Spy, Burke's Law, Twelve O'Clock High, The Man from U.N.C.L.E, The Wild Wild West, Daniel Boone, It Takes a Thief, Ironside, Night Gallery, Columbo, Barnaby Jones, Emergency!, Cannon, Fantasy Island, The Dukes of Hazzard, Lou Grant, Hart to Hart, Knight Rider, Hotel, Simon & Simon, The Fall Guy, Riptide and Murder, She Wrote.
Fox was also known for his role as Colonel Archibald Gracie IV in the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic. He delivered the line "Iceberg dead ahead, sir!" while playing the part of a sailor in the ship's crow's nest. He starred as Captain Winston Havlock in the 1999 film The Mummy. Some of his other film credits included Yellowbeard, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo and The Private Eyes. He provided the voice of the Chairmouse in the Disney animated features The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under.
Michael Galeota (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Michael Galeota starred in the CBS sitcom Bailey Kipper's P.O.V. and the Disney Channel comedy The Jersey. He died in Glendale, California on January 10, 2016, of heart disease and hypertension. Mr. Galeota was 31.
Galeota starred as Bailey Kipper in the 1996-1997 CBS Saturday morning sitcom Bailey Kipper's P.O.V.. The series starred John Achorn, Meg Wittner, Andi Eystad and Joey Zimmerman.
He starred as Nick Lighter in the Disney Channel comedy The Jersey, which aired from 1999-2004. The series starred Courtnee Draper, Jermaine Williams, Brianne Prather, Cheselka Leigh, Theo Greenly, Michael Bofshever, Anna Newman, Meagan Good and Vance Yudell.
Some of his television guest appearances included The Baby-Sitters Club, ER, Profiler and Ally McBeal.
George Gaynes (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor George Gaynes starred as Commandant Eric Lassard in the Police Academy series and as Henry Warnimont in Punky Brewster. He died at his daughter's home in North Bend, Washington on February 15, 2016. Mr. Gaynes was 98.
His early television guest appearances included The Defenders, Hawaiian Eye, Cheyenne, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Empire, The Gallant Man, East Side/West Side, Bonzana, Mannix, Mission: Impossible, Hawaii Five-O, Columbo, Search, The Six Million Dollar Man, Cannon and McMillian & Wife. His early sitcom guest appearances included The Patty Duke Show, Hogan's Heroes, WKRP in Cincinnati and Cheers. He also directed the final episode of WKRP in Cincinnati in 1982.
Gaynes starred as the curmudgeonly but lovable foster parent Henry Warnimont in Punky Brewster. His character was a building manager and widower. The series aired on NBC from 1984-1986 before moving to first-run syndication in 1987-1988. It starred Soleil Moon Frye, Cherie Johnson, Susie Garrett, Ami Foster and Casey Ellison. He voiced the character in the animated spin-off series It's Punky Brewster, which aired on NBC from 1985-1986. Gaynes was interviewed for the E! True Hollywood Story on Punky Brewster in 2006.
He later starred as Senator Strobe Smithers in the first (1992-1993) season of Hearts Afire, which starred John Ritter and Markie Post. His other main roles included General Hospital in 1980 where he played Frank Smith, the mob boss brought down by Luke Spencer. He starred as high-powered theatrical producer Arthur Feldman in The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd from 1989-1991. His real-life wife, Allyn Ann McLerie, co-starred as his love interest in the series. Some of his later guest appearances included Hotel, Matlock, Chicago Hope and Sliders.
Gaynes starred as Commandant Eric Lassard in all seven Police Academy films. He was head of the Metropolitan Police Academy (sometimes also called the Midcity Police Academy). He reprised the role in an episode of Police Academy: The Series in 1998.
Some of his other film credits included The Way We Were, Nickelodeon, Altered States, Tootsie, To Be or Not to Be, Micki & Maude, Vanya on 42nd Street, The Crucible, Wag the Dog and Just Married.
Actor Ron Glass was best known for his role as Detective Ron Harris in Barney Miller. He died of respiratory failure in Los Angeles, California on November 25, 2016. Mr. Glass was 71.
Glass' early television guest appearances included Sanford and Son, All in the Family, Maude, Hawaii Five-O, The Bob Newhart Show, Griff, The New Perry Mason, Good Times, Insight, When Things Were Rotten and The Streets of San Francisco.
He landed the role of Detective Ron Harris in Barney Miller in 1975. Harris was ambitious, intellectual, dressed stylishly and also worked as a writer. He published a lurid memoir about police work called Blood on the Badge. The series also starred Hal Linden, Abe Vigoda (1975-1977), Gregory Sierra (1975-1976), Max Gail, Jack Soo, Barbara Barrie (1975-1976), James Gregory, Steve Landesberg (1976-1982) and Ron Carey (1976-1982). Glass received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series in 1982.
Glass co-starred with Demond Wilson as Felix Unger in the 1982-1983 ABC sitcom The New Odd Couple. The short-lived remake also starred John Schuck, Christipher Joy, Bart Braverman, Sheila Anderson, Ronalda Douglas, Liz Torres and Jo Marie Payton.
In 1992, he starred in the short-lived NBC sitcom Rhythm & Blues He played Don Phillips, a sales manager at a Detroit soul radio station. The series starred Roger Kabler, Anna Maria Horsford, Troy Curvey, Jr., Vanessa Bell Calloway, Miguel A. Nunez, Jr. and Christopher Babers.
Glass played Ronald Felcher, a history teacher, in the 1996-1997 NBC sitcom Mr. Rhodes. The series starred Tom Rhodes, Farrah Forke, Stephen Tobolowsky, Jessica Stone, Shaun Weiss, Lindsay Sloane, Travis Wester and Alexandra Holden.
He starred as Rod (God's cousin) in the 1997-1998 ABC sitcom Teen Angel. The TGIF series starred Mike Damus, Corbin Allred, Maureen McCormick, Katie Volding, Jordan Brower and Conchata Ferrell.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included 227, Family Matters, Amen, The Royal Family, Designing Women, Friends, Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane, Rude Awakening and Yes, Dear.
He provided the voice of Randy Carmichael in Nickelodeon's Rugrats and All Grown Up!. His other voice credits included the Aladdin TV series, Superman: The Animated Series and The Proud Family.
In 2002, he starred in the Fox space western drama Firefly. He played the spiritual Shepherd Derrial Book. He also appeared in the 2005 sequel film Serenity.
Actress and singer Tammy Grimes starred in her own short-lived sitcom The Tammy Grimes Show. She died on October 30, 2016 in Englewood, New Jersey. Ms. Grimes was 82.
Grimes starred as Tammy Ward in the 1966 ABC sitcom The Tammy Grimes Show. It starred Hiram Sherman, Dick Sargent and Madie Prickett.
She made guest appearances in Love, American Style and The Love Boat.
Ann Morgan Guilbert (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Ann Morgan Guilbert was best known for her roles as Millie Helper in The Dick Van Dyke Show and as Yetta Rosenberg in The Nanny. She died of cancer in Los Angeles, California on June 14, 2016. Ms. Guilbert was 87.
Guilbert appeared as Millie Helper in 61 episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show from 1961-1966 on CBS. Millie was married to Jerry (Jerry Paris), who was a dentist. They were the next-door neighbors and best friends of Rob and Laura Petrie (Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore). In 2004, she appeared in The Dick Van Dyke Show Revisited reunion special on CBS.
She starred as Nora in all 10 episodes of the short-lived 1971 CBS sitcom The New Andy Griffith Show. Nora was the live-in sister of Lee Sawyer (Lee Meriwether), who was married to Andy Sawyer (Andy Griffith).
Guilbert starred as Theresa Fanelli in The Fanelli Boys, which aired on NBC for one season in 1990-1991. She was the mother of Anthony (Ned Eisenberg), Ronnie (Andy Hirsch), Frankie (Chris Meloni) and Dominic (Joe Pantoliano). Her tall, balding brother Father Angelo was played by Richard Libertini.
She later appeared as Yetta Rosenberg, Fran Fine's (Fran Drescher) doddering grandmother and Sylvia Fine's (Renee Taylor) mother, in 56 episodes of The Nanny from 1993-1999 on CBS. Although she appeared in all six seasons of the series, she received a starring credit only in the final season. In 2004, she appeared in The Nanny Reunion: A Nosh to Remember on Lifetime.
Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included My Three Sons, Hennesey, Hey, Landlord, Good Morning, World, The Andy Griffith Show, I Dream of Jeannie, Room 222, The Partridge Family, Love, American Style, On the Rocks, Maude, Barney Miller, Cheers, Newhart, Blossom, Home Improvement, Empty Nest, Seinfeld, Happily Divorced and Modern Family (as Cam's grandmother).
She had a recurring role as Birdy Lamb in the HBO comedy Getting On. Her final guest appearances were in two episodes of Life in Pieces in February and March 2015. An episode was dedicated in her memory.
Pat Harrington, Jr. (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Pat Harrington Jr., was best known for his role as building superintendent Dwayne Schneider in One Day at a Time. He died on January 6, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. He had Alzheimer's disease and fell in early November 2015. He suffered a small brain hemorrhage and spent three weeks in a hospital and nursing home. Mr. Harrington was 86.
Harrington played the recurring role of Pat Hannigan, a young nightclub performer who eventually married Terry Williams (Penney Parker), in The Danny Thomas Show from 1959-1960. He starred as Tony Lawrence in the 1969-1970 ABC sitcom Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. Some of his other early sitcom guest appearances included Grindl, The Bing Crosby Show, The Lucy Show, The Munsters, Hank, McHale's Navy, F Troop, The Beverly Hillbillies, Good Morning, World, The Flying Nun, Nanny and the Professor, The Courtship of Eddie's Father and The Partridge Family.
He starred as the affable building superintendent Dwayne Schneider in One Day at a Time. The popular CBS sitcom ran for 9 seasons from 1975-1984. It starred Bonnie Franklin, Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli. Schneider was known for his white T-shirt, blue vest, cigarette pack rolled up in his sleeve and tool belt that he rarely seemed to use to fix anything. Harrington won a Golden Globe Award for "Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series" in 1980 and an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series" in 1984. The cast reunited for the One Day at a Time Reunion retrospective special on CBS in 2005. They reunited once again on NBC's Today on February 26, 2008. In 2012, the cast accepted the Innovation Award at the TV Land Awards.
Harrington was also known for his voice actor work. He provided the voice of The Inspector and Deux-Deux in The Inspector, which was a series of animated shorts from 1965-1969. Some of his other voice credits included The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure, The New Scooby-Doo Movies, Wait Till Your Father Gets Home, Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels and A Garfield Christmas Special.
Some of his later sitcom guest appearances included Who's the Boss?, Duet, Sydney (which starred Valerie Bertinelli), The Golden Girls, The George Carlin Show, Empty Nest, Kirk, The Wayans Bros., Curb Your Enthusiasm and The King of Queens. His final credit was a 2012 episode of TV Land's Hot in Cleveland, which reunited him with Bertinelli once again. He played Mr. Sherden, the innocent-minded manager of an apartment building.
Actor, producer and comedian Ricky Harris had a recurring role in Everybody Hates Chris. He died of a heart attack on December 26, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Harris was 54.
Harris had a recurring role as J.W. in five episodes of Moesha from 1996-1998. He appeared as Malvo in five episodes of Everybody Hates Chris from 2006-2008. His other sitcom guest appearances included The Tracy Morgan Show and The Game.
His film credits included Poetic Justice, Murder was the Case, Heat and Hard Rain.
Jimmie Haskell (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Composer Jimmie Haskell provided the music for several sitcoms. He died on February 4, 2016, in Laguna Niguel, California. Mr. Haskell was 79.
Haskell composed the music for four episodes of Bewitched. He was the composer for The Doris Day Show, which aired on CBS from 1968-1973. He worked on nine episodes of 9 to 5. His other television credits included Land of the Lost, James at 16 and The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo.
Florence Henderson (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)
Actress Florence Henderson was best known for her role as Carol Brady in The Brady Bunch. She died on November 24, 2016, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. The cause of death was heart failure. She had been hospitalized on November 23. Ms. Henderson was 82.
Henderson's career began on stage. She performed in musicals, such as the touring production of Oklahoma! and South Pacific at Lincoln Center. Her early Broadway roles included Wish You Were Here, Fanny and The Girl Who Came to Supper.
Some of her early television guest appearances included I Spy and The U.S. Steel Hour. She was a regular on the short-lived live weekly music show Sing Along in 1958. In 1959, she co-hosted Oldsmobile Music Theatre with Bill Hayes. She was a regular guest on Tonight Starring Jack Paar from 1958-1962. Henderson became the first woman to guest host The Tonight Show in 1962 after Jack Paar left as the show's host. She was a "Today Girl", doing weather and light news on The Today Show in 1959-1960.
She starred as matriarch Carol Brady on the popular ABC sitcom The Brady Bunch, which aired for five seasons from 1969-1974. The series revolved around a large blended family with six children. It starred Robert Reed, Ann B. Davis, Barry Williams, Maureen McCormick, Christopher Knight, Eve Plumb, Mike Lookinland and Susan Olsen.
Henderson reprised her Carol Brady role in many spin-offs and TV movies. The Brady Bunch Hour was a variety show, which aired on ABC from 1976-1977. The Brady Girls Get Married 1981 TV reunion movie led to the short-lived sitcom The Brady Brides. A Very Brady Christmas was the highest-rated television film of 1988. The Bradys was a short-lived drama, which aired on CBS in 1990. She performed the third version of the theme song. In 1995, she had a cameo as Grandma (Carol's mother) in The Brady Bunch Movie.
Some of her later sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat, Police Squad!, Alice, It's Garry Shandling's Show, Day by Day (as Carol Brady), Dave's World (as Beth's mom, Maggie Colby), Roseanne, Ellen, The King of Queens, Samantha Who?, Happily Divorced, 30 Rock, Trophy Wife, Instant Mom and K.C. Undercover.
Henderson hosted her own talk show, The Florence Henderson Show, and cooking show, Who's Cooking with Florence Henderson, on Retirement Living TV (RLTV). She co-hosted the talk show Later Today on NBC from 1999-2000.
She competed on the eleventh season of Dancing with the Stars in 2010. Henderson and Maureen McCormick performed a Brady Bunch-themed number in week two of this season. She appeared in the studio audience on November 21 to support McCormick.
John Hostetter (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Character actor John Hostetter starred as the stage manager John in Murphy Brown. He died from cancer on September 2, 2016, in Port Orange, Florida. Mr. Hostetter was 69.
Hostetter starred in the recurring role of the unflappable F.Y.I. stage manager John in Murphy Brown. He appeared in over 60 episodes of the series in all 10 seasons from 1988-1998. The series starred Candice Bergen, Charles Kimbrough, Joe Regalbuto, Faith Ford, Grant Shaud, Pat Corley, Robert Pastorelli and Ritch Brinkley.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Golden Girls, Family Ties, Newhart, Frank's Place, Coach, Who's the Boss? and Suddenly Susan.
His many television drama guest appearances included CHiPs, Knight Rider, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Hotel, Hardcastle and McCormick, T.J. Hooker, Simon and Simon, Hill Street Blues, Moonlighting, Remington Steele, Hunter, Dallas, Cagney and Lacey, Falcon Crest, Quantum Leap, L.A. Law, Matlock, MacGyver, Knot's Landing, ER and JAG.
He also worked as a voice actor. He was the voice of Bazooka in the syndicated animated series G.I. Joe in 1985. His other voice credits included The Transformers and Spawn.
Actor Ken Howard was best known for his role as Ken Reeves in The White Shadow. He died of a heart attack on March 23, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Howard was 71.
Howard starred in the short-lived 1973 ABC sitcom Adam's Rib. The romantic comedy was based on the Spencer Tracy-Katherine Hepburn 1949 film of the same title. The series starred Blythe Danner, Dena Dietrich, Ron Rifkin, Edward Winter and Norman Bartold.
He later starred as Jack Long in the short-lived 1983 ABC sitcom It's Not Easy. The series starred Jayne Meadows, Rachael Jacobs, Evan Cohen, Carlene Watkins, Bert Convy and Billy Jacoby.
He had a recurring role as Hank Hooper, Jack Donaghy's (Alec Baldwin) boss from Kabletown, in nine episodes of 30 Rock from 2011 to 2013. Some of his other sitcom credits included The Golden Girls, Arli$$, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office, George Lopez and The McCarthys.
Howard's best known role was as basketball coach and former Chicago Bulls player Ken Reeves in The White Shadow. The 1978-1981 CBS drama starred Ed Bernard, Joan Pringle, Thomas Carter, Kevin Hooks, Eric Kilpatrick, Nathan Cook, Timothy Van Patten, Ken Michelman, Ira Angustain and Byron Stewart.
He earlier starred in the crime drama The Manhunter, which aired on CBS in 1974-1975. He had a recurring role as Garrett Boydston in Dynasty and the spin-off series The Colbys. He appeared in five episodes of Melrose Place as George Andrews. Howard starred as Max Cavanaugh, Dr. Jordan Cavanaugh's (Jill Hennessy) father, in Crossing Jordan. In 2007, he appeared as the villain Joe Samuels in Cane.
His numerous television drama guest appearances included Bonanza, Medical Center, Hotel, Murder, She Wrote, Diagnosis Murder, The West Wing, The Practice, Family Law, Ghost Whisperer, Huff, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Brothers & Sisters, Eli Stone, Boston Legal, Cold Case, The Closer and Blue Bloods. He won an Emmy for his work in the 2009 HBO film Grey Gardens.
David Huddleston (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor David Huddleston starred in several short-lived sitcoms. He died on August 2, 2016, of heart and kidney disease in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mr. Huddleston was 85.
He appeared as Jasper T. Kallikak in the short-lived 1977 NBC sitcom The Kallikaks. The series starred Edie McClurg, Bonnie Ebsen, Patrick J. Peterson and Peter Palmer.
Huddleston starred as Mayor Cooper in the short-lived 1979 NBC sitcom Hizzoner. The series starred Will Seltzer, Kathy Cronkite, Don Galloway, Diana Muldaur, Gina Hecht and Mickey Deems.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Bewitched, Mary Tyler Moore, Sanford and Son, Benson, The Wonder Years (as Grandpa Arnold), The Naked Truth, Living Single and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Director, actor, producer and writer Gordon Hunt worked on many sitcoms. He died on December 17, 2016 from Parkinson's disease in Sherman Oaks, California. Mr. Hunt was 87.
He directed 31 episodes of Mad About You, which starred his daughter, Helen Hunt. In 1996, he received the Directors Guild of America Award; "Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series" for the episode The Alan Brady Show. He appeared as a talk show host in the episode Paul Slips in the Shower.
Some of his other sitcom directing credits included Hudson Street, Caroline in the City, Coach, Frasier, Fired Up, Alright Already, Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, Suddenly Susan, Rude Awakening and Ladies Man.
He directed many animated series such as as The Jetsons, Scooby-Doo, Super Friends, The Richie Rich Show, The Smurfs, Pound Puppies, Tom and Jerry Kids, The Pirates of Dark Water, Droopy, Master Detective and The New Adventures of Captain Planet.
Hunt provided the voice of Wally in the 1999-2000 UPN animated series Dilbert. In 1989, he guest starred in Cheers.
George S. Irving (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor George S. Irving starred in the short-lived sitcom The Dumplings. He died in Manhattan, New York of natural causes on December 26, 2016. Mr. Irving was 94.
Irving starred as Charles Sweetzer in the 1976 ABC sitcom The Dumplings. The series starred James Coco, Geraldine Brooks, George Furth, Marcia Rodd, Mort Marshall, Jane Connell and Wil Albert.
He guest starred in All in the Family as Russ DeKuyper, the loudmouthed husband of Edith Bunker's cousin Amelia. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Goldbergs (1955), Car 54, Where Are You? and The Patty Duke Show.
His voice credits included King Leonardo and His Short Subjects, Underdog and Go Go Gophers.
Actor Barry Jenner had a recurring role as Lt. Murtagh in Family Matters. He died on August 8, 2016, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles from acute myeloid leukemia. Mr. Jenner was 75.
Jenner appeared as Lt. Lieu Murtaugh in 18 episodes of Family Matters from 1990-1992.
He had a recurring role as Sheldon Kramer in 11 episodes of Something So Right from 1996-1998.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Duet, Family Ties, Good Morning, Miss Bliss, Mr. Belvedere, and The Hogan Family.
Austin "Rocky" Kalish (IMDB/Archive of American Television)
Sitcom writer and producer Austin "Rocky" Kalish worked on Maude, All in the Family and Good Times. He died on October 5, 2016, at the Motion Picture and Television Fund retirement home in Woodland Hills, California. Mr. Kalish was 95.
Kalish married his wife Irma in 1948. They wrote for The Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis Show for radio before moving to television. His early television credits included Meet Corliss Archer, The Colgate Comedy Hour and Johnny Staccato.
The couple co-wrote the pilot episode of Gilligan's Island with Elroy Schwartz. They created the show's characters and named them. They named the damaged boat the S. S. Minnow, which was named after former F.C.C. chairman Newton Minow. Kalish also co-wrote the episodes "Voodoo Something to Me" and "Birds Gotta Fly, Fish Gotta Talk."
Some of his other sitcom writing credits in the 1960s included The Bob Cummings Show, The Donna Reed Show, Glynis, The Patty Duke Show, I Dream of Jeannie, Gidget, My Favorite Martian, Please Don't Eat the Daisies, That Girl, F Troop, The Flying Nun, Family Affair, My Three Sons and Nanny and the Professor.
Austin and Irma Kalish worked together on the Norman Lear sitcoms Maude, All in the Family and Good Times in the 1970s. In 1972, they wrote "Maude's Dilemma," in which Maude decides to have an abortion after an unexpected pregnancy.
They wrote four episodes of All in the Family, including "The Blockbuster," "Archie Goes Too Far," "Gloria the Victim," and "Edith's Christmas Story." In "Gloria the Victim," Gloria is a victim of attempted rape and must decide whether to notify the police or keep quiet. In the cancer-focused "Edith's Christmas Story," Edith tries to get in on the joy of Christmas even though she has a lump in her breast.
They wrote five episodes of Good Times in 1976-1977. They co-produced a total of 48 episodes of the series in Seasons 4 and 5. Some of his other sitcom writing credits in the 1970s included The Bob Newhart Show, Dusty's Trail, Good Heavens and Carter Country.
The couple worked as executive producers for Too Close for Comfort from 1980-1982. They also wrote eight episodes of the series. Mr. Kalish co-wrote four episodes of The Facts of Life and one episode of 227. Ms. Kalish worked as an executive producer for The Facts of Life and 227.
Marvin Kaplan (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Marvin Kaplan starred as phone lineman Henry Beesmeyer in Alice. He died of natural causes on August 25, 2016, in Burbank, California. Mr. Kaplan was 89.
Kaplan's first starring role was in the 1952-1956 CBS sitcom Meet Millie. He played Alfred Prinzmetal, an aspiring poet-composer. The series starred Elena Verdugo, Florence Halop, Earl Ross, Ross Ford, Roland Winters and Isabel Randolph.
He starred as Marvin in the short-lived 1971 CBS sitcom The Chicago Teddy Bears. The series, which was set during the late 1920s, starred Dean Jones, Art Metrano, Mickey Shaughnessy, Jamie Farr, Mike Mazurki, Huntz Hall and John Banner.
Kaplan appeared as phone lineman Henry Beesmeyer in Alice. His character was a regular customer at Mel's Diner who made jokes about Mel's cooking. He appeared in over 80 episodes in all 9 seasons from 1978-1985. The series starred Linda Lavin, Philip McKeon, Vic Tayback, Polly Holliday, Beth Howland, Diane Ladd (1980-1981) and Celia Weston (1981-1985).
In 1992, he starred in the short-lived ABC sitcom On the Air. He played Dwight McGonigle, the incompetent producer of The Lester Guy Show.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Make Room for Daddy, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Valentine's Day, McHale's Navy, Hank, Gidget, Gomer Pyle, USMC, My Three Sons, Petticoat Junction, I Dream of Jeannie, My Two Dads and Becker (4 episodes as Mr. Gordon).
Kaplan was the voice of Choo-Choo in the 1961-1962 ABC animated series Top Cat. He reprised the role in 1987's Top Cat and the Beverly Hills Cats. His other voice credits included Garfield and Friends, Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, Johnny Bravo and The Garfield Show.
George Kennedy (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor George Kennedy was known for his many film roles, but he also made some sitcom guest appearances. He died on February 28, 2016, of a heart ailment at an assisted living facility in Middleton, Idaho. Mr. Kennedy was 91.
Kennedy guest starred as MP Sergeant Kennedy in 14 episodes of The Phil Silvers Show from 1956-1959. He also worked as a technical advisor on the series for 52 episodes.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Andy Griffith Show, McHale's Navy and Wings.
Cherylene Lee (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Cherylene Lee made guest appearances in several sitcoms in the 1960s. She died on March 18, 2016, in San Francisco, California. Ms. Lee was 62.
She appeared in two episodes of Bachelor Father as Blossom, the niece of Peter (played by Sammee Tong). Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Dennis the Menace, Ensign O'Toole, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, McHale's Navy, Kentucky Jones, My Three Sons and M*A*S*H.
Richard Libertini (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Richard Libertini starred in several short-lived sitcoms. He died in Venice, California on January 7, 2016, from cancer. Mr. Libertini was 82.
Libertini appeared as The Godfather in four episodes of the first season (1977-1978) of the ABC sitcom Soap.
He starred as Shelly Tobin in the short-lived 1988 ABC sitcom Family Man. The series starred Mimi Kennedy, Alison Sweeney, Whitby Hertford and Keeley Mari Gallagher.
Libertini played Father Angelo in the 1990-1991 NBC sitcom The Fanelli Boys. It starred Ann Morgan Guilbert, Ned Eisenberg, Andy Hirsch, Chris Meloni, Joe Pantoliano, Nick DeMauro and Vera Lockwood.
He appeared as Det. Richard Capparelli in the 1991-1992 NBC police comedy Pacific Station. The show starred Robert Guillaume Joel Morray, Ron Leibman, Megan Gallagher and John Hancock.
Some of his sitcom appearances included That Girl, Mary Tyler Moore, The Jeffersons, The Tony Randall Show, Good Times, The Bob Newhart Show, Alice, Laverne & Shirley, Barney Miller, Mork & Mindy, Head of the Class, Empty Nest, Murphy Brown, Cosby, Jenny, Norm and The Drew Carey Show.
Actor Don Marshall was best known for his role as Dan Erickson in Land of the Giants. He died on October 30, 2016, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Marshall was 80.
Marshall played co-pilot Dan Erickson in the sci-fi series Land of the Lost, which aired on ABC from 1968-1970.
He had a recurring role as Ted Neumann in four episodes of Julia. He made guest appearances in Bewitched and Good Times.
Garry Marshall (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)
Actor, director, producer and writer Garry Marshall created Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy. He died on July 19, 2016, at a hospital in Burbank, California due to complications of pneumonia after suffering a stroke. Mr. Marshall was 81.
Marshall's career began as a writer for Tonight Starring Jack Paar in 1960. He moved to Hollywood in 1961, where he teamed up with Jerry Belson as a writer for television. He wrote episodes of The Danny Thomas Show, The Bill Dana Show, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Hank, The Lucy Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show.
The first sitcom he created and produced was Hey, Landlord, which aired for one season on NBC in 1966-1967. The series stared Will Hutchins, Sandy Baron, Pamela Rodgers, Miko Mayama and Michael Constantine. He also directed and guest starred in an episode.
Marshall and Belson developed and adapted The Odd Couple for television in 1970. The popular series, which starred Tony Randall and Jack Klugman, ran for five seasons on ABC until 1975. Myrna Turner, Oscar's secretary, was played by Garry's sister, Penny Marshall. He directed six episodes, wrote seven episodes and appeared in several episodes in various roles.
He created and produced The Brian Keith Show (titled The Little People during its first season), which aired for two seasons on NBC from 1972-1974. The series starred Brian Keith, Shelley Fabares, Victoria Young and Nancy Kulp.
In 1972, he created with Thomas L. Miller the short-lived CBS sitcom Me and the Chimp. The series starred Ted Bessell, Anita Gillette, Scott Kolden and Kami Kolter.
He wrote an episode of Love, American Style titled "Love and the Television Set" (later retitled "Love and the Happy Days" for syndication), which featured Ron Howard, Marion Ross and Anson Williams, that served as the pilot episode of Happy Days. The episode aired on aired on ABC on February 25, 1972.
Happy Days would become a series on January 15, 1974. The popular series aired on ABC for 11 seasons from 1974-1984. The series starred Ron Howard, Henry Winkler, Tom Bosley, Marion Ross, Anson Williams, Donny Most and Erin Moran. Marshall directed the second season episode, "Haunted." He wrote two episodes of the series. He also appeared in two episodes as a drummer.
Several successful spin-offs would be launched from Happy Days. Laverne & Shirley aired on ABC for eight seasons from 1976-1983. The series starred Penny Marshall, Cindy Williams, Eddie Mekka, Phil Foster, David L. Lander, Michael McKean and Betty Garrett. Garry directed two episodes. He also appeared uncredited as a drummer in two episodes.
Marshall's son, Scott, wanted to see an alien character on Happy Days. This led to the appearance of Mork (Robin Williams) in the season five episode "My Favorite Orkan." Mork & Mindy aired for four seasons on ABC from 1978-1982. The series also starred Pam Dawber, Conrad Janis, Elizabeth Kerr, Tom Poston, Jay Thomas and Gina Hecht. Marshall directed an episode in 1980.
Other Happy Days spin-offs included Blansky's Beauties, Out of the Blue and Joanie Loves Chachi (starring Scott Baio and Erin Moran). Marshall directed an episode of the short-lived Blansky's Beauties, which starred Nancy Walker, Lynda Goodfriend, Johnny Desmond, Eddie Mekka and Scott Baio.
He created and produced the short-lived sitcom Who's Watching the Kids in 1978. The series aired for one season on NBC. It starred Caren Kaye, Lynda Goodfriend, Scott Baio, Tammy Lauren, Marcia Lewis, Larry Breeding, Lorrie Mahaffey, Jim Belushi, Shirley Kirkes and Elaine Bolton.
In 1979, he created and produced with Dale McRaven the sitcom Angie. The series aired for two seasons on ABC from 1979-1980. It starred Donna Pescow, Robert Hays, Doris Roberts, Debralee Scott, Sharon Spelman and John Randolph.
Marshall, Mark Rothman and Lowell Ganz created the short-lived 1979 ABC sitcom Makin' It, which starred David Naughton, Greg Antonacci, Denise Miller and Ellen Travolta. He served as an executive producer of the 1982-1983 sitcom The New Odd Couple.
In addition to his work as a director, producer and writer, he also appeared as an actor. He appeared in 24 episodes of Murphy Brown from 1994-1997 as Stan Lansing, the micro-managing network president. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Simpsons (voice in two episodes), Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Father of the Pride (voice), According to Jim, Louie, Two and a Half Men, Liv and Maddie, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Hot in Cleveland. He played Oscar Madison's (Matthew Perry) father, Walter Madison, in an episode of The Odd Couple in April 2016. He also served as a consultant on the remake.
Marshall was also a very successful film director. His biggest blockbuster was 1990's Pretty Woman, which starred Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. His other credits included Young Doctors in Love, The Flamingo Kid, Nothing in Common, Overboard, Beaches, Frankie and Johnny, Exit to Eden, Dear God, The Other Sister, Runaway Bride, The Princess Diaries, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, Georgia Rule, Valentine's Day, New Year's Eve and 2016's Mother's Day.
Leslie H. Martinson (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Leslie H. Martinson directed episodes of many sitcoms. He died on September 3, 2016. Mr. Martinson was 101.
Some of his sitcom directing credits included The Mickey Rooney Show, No Time for Sergeants, Mister Roberts, Love, American Style, The Brady Bunch, Diff'rent Strokes and Small Wonder.
Actress Kim McGuire starred in the David Lynch short-lived sitcom On the Air. She died on September 14, 2016, in Naples, Florida. Ms. McGuire was 60.
She starred as Nicole Thorn in the 1992 ABC sitcom On the Air. In 1990, she guest starred on Dream On. She was best known for her role of Mona "Hatchet-Face" Malnorowski in John Waters' 1990 comedy musical Cry-Baby.
Stand-up comedian and actor Kevin Meaney starred in the short-lived Uncle Buck. He died on October 21, 2016, in Forestburgh, New York. Mr. Meaney was 60.
Meaney starred as Buck Russell in the 1990-1991 CBS sitcom Uncle Buck. The series starred Dah-ve Chodan, Jacob Gelman, Sarah Martineck, Audrey Meadows, Dennis Cockrum and Thomas Mikal Ford.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Jackie Thomas Show, Ned and Stacey, Brotherly Love, The Tom Show, 30 Rock and 2 Broke Girls.
Gary Menteer (IMDB
Writer, director and producer Gary Menteer worked on Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Punky Brewster and Family Matters. He died on January 18, 2016, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, California. Mr. Menteer was 76.
Menteer directed episodes of Laverne & Shirley, Punky Brewster, She's the Sheriff, Family Matters and Malcolm & Eddie. He worked as a choreographer on two episodes of Blansky's Beauties and the "Be My Valentine" episode of Happy Days.
His sitcom writing credits included Joanie Loves Chachi, Second Chance, Punky Brewster, On Our Own, Built to Last, Family Matters, Malcolm & Eddie and Eve.
He served as an executive producer for Family Matters from 1990 to 1998. His other producing credits included Blansky's Beauties, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, Joanie Loves Chachi, Second Chance, Punky Brewster, On Our Own, and Malcolm & Eddie.
He shared two Emmy nominations for Punky Brewster for Outstanding Children's Program in 1985 and 1986. He was interviewed for the E! True Hollywood Story on Punky Brewster in 2006.
Menteer worked as an actor in his earlier days. He appeared in musical films such as Bye Bye Birdie, The Unsinkable Molly Brown, Mary Poppins, Inside Daisy Clover, Finian's Rainbow, Hello, Dolly and Funny Lady. He performed in many musical variety shows such as The Judy Garland Show, The Danny Kaye Show, The Dean Martin Show and The Julie Andrews Hour.
Michu Meszaros (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Hungarian-born actor and circus performer Michu Meszaros was the man inside the costume in ALF. He died on June 13, 2016, at the Providence Little Company of Mary medical centre in Torrance, California. He was discovered on his bathroom floor by his manager Dennis Varga in a comatose state the week before his death. He had suffered numerous health issues since a stroke eight years ago. Mr. Meszaros was 76.
Meszaros was a member of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus beginning in 1973 as the former "smallest man in the world". He trained and presented a dog act with white Standard Poodles. He was 2 feet 9 inches tall.
He wore the full-body costume of ALF during the first season of the series. Meszaros was used where scenes of ALF walking, running, or standing were required. He can be seen in the first season intro when he walks over to be part of the photo with the Tanner family. An ALF puppet was used for the half-body shots. Series creator Paul Fusco provided the voice of ALF.
In 1991, he guest starred as Mishka in an episode of Dear John. His film credits included Waxwork, Big Top Pee-wee, Warlock: The Armageddon and Freaked. He was a stunt double for Mikey in Look Who's Talking.
Actor Mike Minor starred as Steve Elliott in Petticoat Junction. He died in New York City on January 28, 2016. Mr. Minor was 75.
Minor appeared as Steve Elliott in over 100 episodes of Petticoat Junction from 1966-1970. He joined the cast in the second episode of the fourth season. His character was a pilot who crashed his airplane in Hooterville when he is distracted by the sight of the Bradley sisters swimming in the Hooterville Cannonball's water tower. After being nursed back to health by the Bradley girls, he became romantically involved with Betty Jo (Linda Kaye Henning). The characters were married in in the fifth season. They had a daughter, Kathy Jo Elliott, in the sixth season. Minor was married to Linda Kaye Henning in real life from 1968-1973. He was interviewed for the "The History of Hooterville" and the "Paul Henning & The Hillbillies" DVD special features in 2005.
His sitcom guest appearances included eight episodes of My Three Sons (he was the son of executive producer Don Fedderson) and eight episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies. Some of his other television guest appearances included The Lieutenant, CHiPs, Vega$ and L.A. Law. He performed the theme song, "Primrose Lane," on the first season of Henry Fonda'a The Smith Family in 1971.
He was later known for his work on daytime television. He appeared as Brandon Kingsley on All My Children from 1980-1981 and as Dr. Royal Dunning on Another World from 1983-1984. He also had brief roles on The Edge of Night and As the World Turns.
Stuart Nisbet (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Character actor Stuart Nisbet guest starred in many sitcoms in his career which spanned nearly six decades. He died on June 23, 2016, at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale, California. Mr. Nisbet was 82.
Nisbet's sitcom guest appearances included The Donna Reed Show, Dennis the Menace, Hazel, The Munsters, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., That Girl, My Three Sons, Bewitched, The Monkees, Get Smart, Happy Days, Three's Company, Designing Women, Mama's Family, Empty Nest, The Golden Girls and Growing Pains.
Some of his drama guest appearances included Checkmate, Dr. Kildare, The Fugitive, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Mission: Impossible, The Virginian, Dragnet, Bonanza, Night Gallery, Mannix, Adam-12, The Rockford Files, The Dukes of Hazzard, Barnaby Jones, Quincy, M.E., Little House on the Prairie, L.A. Law and Murder, She Wrote.
Actor James Noble starred as Governor Eugene Gatling in Benson. He died on March 28, 2016 at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Connecticut. He had suffered a stroke a week before his death. Mr. Noble was 94.
Noble's career began in soap operas. He appeared in 42 episodes of The Doctors in 1967-1968. Some of his soap opera guest appearances included The Brighter Day, As the World Turns, Another World, One Life to Live and A World Apart. Some of his other early television guest appearances included Actor's Studio, The Edge of Night, East Side/West Side, The Defenders, Directions, Coronet Blue, McCloud, Starsky and Hutch, Hart to Hart and Fantasy Island.
He starred as the sweet-natured but naive Governor Eugene Gatling in Benson. The popular sitcom ran for seven seasons on ABC from 1979-1986. The series also starred Robert Guillaume, Missy Gold, Inga Swenson, René Auberjonois (1980-1986), Ethan Phillips (1980-1985), Caroline McWilliams (1979-1981) and Didi Conn (1981-1985).
Noble later starred as Raymond Voss in the short-lived 1988 CBS sitcom First Impressions, which starred Brad Garrett. Some of his other television guest appearances included The Love Boat, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Murder, She Wrote, A Very Peculiar Practice, Father Dowling Mysteries, Walt Disney's World of Color, Perfect Strangers, The Bill, Law & Order and Where the Heart Is.
His film credits included 1776, One Summer Love, 10, Promises in the Dark, Being There, Airplane II: The Sequel, A Tiger's Tale, Paramedics and Chances Are.
Producer Burt Nodella worked on the cult classic Get Smart. He died on February 23, 2016. Mr. Nodella was 91.
Nodella produced 47 episodes of Get Smart in seasons three and four of the series from 1967-1969. He won two Emmy Awards in 1968 and 1969 when it won for Outstanding Comedy Series. He also wrote two episodes of the series. In 1989, he worked on the reunion movie Get Smart, Again!
He worked as a producer for The Tim Conway Show in 1970.
Actor Bill Nunn starred in the comedies The Job and Sirens. He died of leukemia on September 24, 2016 in his family’s home in Pittsburgh's Hill District. Mr. Nunn was 62.
Nunn starred as De. Terrence "Pip" Phillips in the 2001-2002 ABC comedy The Job. The series starred Denis Leary, Lenny Clarke, Diane Farr, Adam Ferrara, John Ortiz, Julian Acosta, Keith David and Karyn Parsons.
He starred as Cash, a Vietnam veteran EMT who enjoys Twix and had his name legally changed to Cassius Clay, in the 2014-2015 USA Network comedy Sirens. The series starred Michael Mosley, Kevin Daniels, Kevin Bigley, Jessica McNamee and Josh Segarra.
Actor Lee Reherman had recurring roles in The First Family and K.C. Undercover. He died on February 29, 2016, at his home in Manhattan Beach, California. Mr. Reherman was 49.
He played the recurring role of Special Agent Ross Hardison in syndicated sitcom The First Family from 2012-2015. He also appeared in the role in Mr. Box Office.
Reherman appeared as Victor in the Disney Channel sitcom K.C. Undercover. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Ellen, Buddies, Caroline in the City, Eve, That's So Raven, In Case of Emergency, Wizards of Waverly Place, Workaholics, Sam & Cat and Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life. He was Hawk on American Gladiators.
Debbie Reynolds (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Debbie Reynolds starred in two sitcoms. She died on December 28, 2016, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, after suffering a stroke. Her daughter, Carrie Fisher, died on December 27, 2016. Ms. Reynolds was 84.
Reynolds starred as Debbie Thompson in the 1969-1970 NBC sitcom The Debbie Reynolds Show. She was the wife on a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Sun. It starred Don Chastain, Patricia Smith, Tom Bosley and Bobby Riha. Reynolds received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy for the role in 1970.
She starred as Sydney Chase, the manager of the Paradise Village resort in Hawaii, in the short-lived 1981 ABC sitcom Aloha Paradise. The series starred Bill Daily, Pat Klous, Mokihana and Stephen Shortridge.
Reynolds played Grace's (Debra Messing) theatrical mother Bobbi Adler in 10 episodes of Will & Grace from 1999-2006. She received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for the role in 2000.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Madame's Place, Alice, The Love Boat, Jennifer Slept Here, The Golden Girls, Wings and Roseanne.
Bill Richmond (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Writer and producer Bill Richmond worked on many sitcoms. He died on June 4, 2016, in Calabasas, California. Mr. Richmond was 94.
Some of his sitcom writing credits included I Dream of Jeannie, All in the Family, C.P.O. Sharkey, What's Happening!!, Welcome Back, Kotter, Three's Company, Double Trouble, Charlie & Co., The John Larroquette Show and Blossom.
He worked as a producer on Welcome Back, Kotter, Three's Company, The Tim Conway Show, Double Trouble, Charlie & Co. and Blossom.
Richmond won three Emmy Awards for his writing work (shared) on The Carol Burnett Show for the years 1974, 1975 and 1978.
Actor and comedian Jack Riley played Elliot Carlin in The Bob Newhart Show. He died on August 19, 2016, in Los Angeles, California due to pneumonia. Mr. Riley was 80.
Riley's television career began with a semi-regular role in the short-lived 1966-1967 NBC sitcom Occasional Wife. He appeared as Wally Frick in seven episodes of the series, which starred Michael Callan and Patricia Harty.
Some of his television guest appearances in the 1960s and 1970s included Gomer Pyle, USMC, The Flying Nun, I Dream of Jeannie, Love, American Style, The Partridge Family, Hogan's Heroes, The Good Life, Getting Together, M*A*S*H, Mary Tyler Moore, The Girl with Something Extra, Happy Days, Alice and Barney Miller.
Riley was best known for his role as Elliot Carlin, the neurotic, sour and selfish patient in The Bob Newhart Show. He appeared in 49 episodes of the series from 1972-1978. Carlin was ranked 49th in TV Guide's List of the 50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time. He reprised the role in a 1985 episode of St. Elsewhere, a 1987 episode of ALF and a 1988 episode of Newhart. In 1991, the cast reunited for The Bob Newhart Show 19th Anniversary.
His later sitcom guest appearances included Too Close for Comfort, Family Ties, One Day at a Time, The Love Boat, Diff'rent Strokes (4 episodes), Silver Spoons, Gimme a Break, Punky Brewster, Charles in Charge, My Two Dads, Night Court (7 episodes), Family Matters, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Married with Children, The Drew Carey Show, Seinfeld, That '70s Show and Yes, Dear. He played Leon Buachanan in the short-lived 1987 CBS sitcom Roxie. He had a recurring role as Chappy in the 2000-2002 FX comedy Son of the Beach.
He was also known for his voice work in animated series and commercials. He voiced Stu Pickles, the father of the main protagonist Tommy, in Rugrats and the spin-off All Grown Up!. He did commercial spots for Country Crock margarine and CompUSA.
Michael Roberds (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Canadian actor Michael Roberds starred as Uncle Fester in The New Addams Family. He died after a brief illness on May 15, 2016, in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Roberds was 52.
He appeared as Uncle Fester in Fox Family's 1998-1999 sitcom The New Addams Family. The series starred Ellie Harvie, Brody Smith, Nicole Fugere, Betty Phillips, John DeSantis and Steven Fox.
His other sitcom credits included Police Academy: The Series and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show.
Doris Roberts (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)
Emmy-winning actress Doris Roberts was best known for her role as Marie Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond. She died in her sleep of a stroke on April 17, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Roberts was 90.
Roberts' early television guest appearances included Starlight Theatre, Studio One in Hollywood, Suspense, Way Out, Look Up and Live, Naked City, Ben Casey, The Defenders, Medical Center, Baretta, The Streets of San Francisco and Family. Some of her early sitcom guest appearances included Mary Tyler Moore, Fay, Joe and Sons, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, All in the Family, Viva Valdez, Rhoda, Soap and Barney Miller.
Her first starring role was as Theresa Falco, the mother of Angie Falco (Donna Pescow), in Angie. The series ran for two seasons on ABC from 1979-1980. It also starred Robert Hays, Debralee Scott, Sharon Spelman, John Randolph, Diane Robin, Tammy Lauren and Tim Thomerson. Roberts also directed an episode of the series in 1980.
She starred as Loretta Davenport, a hairdresser who owned Loretta's House of Coiffures, in the short-lived 1981-1982 ABC sitcom Maggie. She played Doris Greenblatt, the knowing wife of Bert Greeenblatt (Ned Beatty), in the short-lived 1993 CBS sitcom The Boys. Some of her other 1980s and early 1990s sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat, Alice, Mr. Belvedere, Full House, Empty Nest, The John Larroquette Show, Dream On and Step by Step.
Roberts starred as Marie Barone, the beloved mother of Ray (Ray Romano) and Robert (Brad Garrett) and the wife of Frank (Peter Boyle). The popular series ran for nine seasons and 210 episodes on CBS from 1996-2005. It also starred Patricia Heaton, Madylin Sweeeten, Sawyer and Sullivan Sweeten, and Monica Horan. She was nominated for seven Emmy Awards and won four times for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. Roberts also appeared as Marie Barone in a 1999 episode of The King of Queens.
She previously won an Emmy Award for a 1982 guest appearance on St. Elsewhere, playing a homeless woman named Cora. She starred as Mildred Krebs in Remington Steele from 1983-1987. Roberts received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for the role in 1985. Her other Emmy nominations were for a guest appearance in a 1989 episode of Perfect Strangers and a 1991 role in the PBS series American Playhouse.
Roberts continued to make television guest appearances after Everybody Loves Raymond ended its run. She reunited with Patricia Heaton in three episodes of The Middle in 2010-2011 as Ms. Rinsky, Brick Heck's teacher. Her later sitcom guest appearances included Lizzie McGuire, Hot in Cleveland and Melissa & Joey. Some of her drama guest appearances included Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives.
William Schallert (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)
Character actor William Schallert starred as Martin Lane in The Patty Duke Show. He died on May 8, 2016, at his home in Pacific Palisades, California. Mr. Schallert was 93.
Schallert's early sitcom guest appearances included It's a Great Life, Blondie, Leave it to Beaver, Hey, Jeannie!, The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, Father Knows Best, The Donna Reed Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Hennesey and The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Some of his early drama guest appearances included The Adventures of Jim Bowie, Maverick, Peter Gunn, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Philip Marlowe, Lawman, The Twilight Zone, Johnny Ringo, The Rifleman, The Rebel and Perry Mason.
Schallert appeared as Leander Pomfritt, Dobie's English and science teacher at his high school and later one of his college professors, in 24 episodes of The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis from 1959-1962. He appeared in the recurring role through the end of season three. He reprised the role in the 1988 CBS TV movie Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis.
He starred as Martin Lane, Patty Lane's (Patty Duke) father, in The Patty Duke Show. Martin Lane was the managing editor of the New York Daily Chronicle. The series ran for three seasons on ABC from 1963-1966. It also starred Jean Byron, Paul O'Keefe and Eddie Applegate. The cast reunited in the 1999 CBS TV movie The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' in Brooklyn Heights. In 2009, the cast (except Byron, who died in February 2006) reunited again for a series of PSAs for the Social Security Administration.
Some of his other sitcom starring roles included playing Teddy Futterman, a TV network executive, in the short-lived 1976 ABC sitcom The Nancy Walker Show. He starred as Russ Lawrence, Gidget's father, in the 1986-1988 syndicated sitcom The New Gidget. He appeared as Wesley Hodges in the first season of the NBC sitcom The Torkelsons in 1991-1992.
His other 1960s and 1970s sitcom guest appearances included Hazel, McKeever & the Colonel, Ensign O'Toole, The Lucy Show, Pistols 'n' Petticoats, Bewitched, That Girl, Room 222, Get Smart, The Partridge Family, Love, American Style, Maude, One Day at a Time and Archie Bunker's Place. His later guest appearances included The New Leave it to Beaver, Murphy Brown, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, Coach, Roseanne, Dream On, My Name Is Earl, How I Met Your Mother and According to Jim. His final appearance was on 2 Broke Girls in 2014.
He starred as Carson Drew, Nancy Drew's father, in The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries in 1977-1978. In 1979, he starred as Rev. John March in the short-lived NBC drama Little Women. He played Harry Hopkins in the 1988-1989 ABC miniseries War and Remembrance.
Some of his other drama guest appearances included The Virginian, Mission: Impossible, Star Trek, The Wild Wild West, Mod Squad, Hawaii Five-O, Gunsmoke, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, Lou Grant, Magnum, P.I., Highway to Heaven, Quantum Leap, In the Heat of the Night, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Desperate Housewives.
Garry Shandling (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)
Actor and comedian Garry Shandling starred in It's Garry Shandling's Show and The Larry Sanders Show. He died on March 24, 2016, from a blood clot in his heart following deep vein thrombosis in his legs. Mr. Shandling was 66.
Shandling's career in Hollywood began as a sitcom writer. He wrote four episodes of Sanford and Son in 1975-1976, one episode of Welcome Back, Kotter in 1976 and one episode of The Harvey Korman Show in 1978 where he also worked as a story editor for the series. He became a stand-up comedian because he was frustrated by situation comedy's "formulaic writing".
Shandling performed his first stand-up routine at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles in 1978. He made his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson on March 18, 1981. He guest hosted seven times in 1986-1987.
In 1984, he performed his first stand-up special, Garry Shandling: Alone in Vegas, for Showtime. A second special, The Garry Shandling Show: 25th Anniversary Special, aired on Showtime in 1986. His third special, Garry Shandling: Stand-Up, aired in 1991 as part of the HBO Comedy Hour.
He created the sitcom It's Garry Shandling's Show with Alan Zweibel for Showtime in 1986. Fox began airing reruns of the series in 1988 not long after they aired on Showtime. Shandling also wrote 15 episodes of the series. It starred Barbara Cason, Molly Cheek, Michael Tucci, Bernadette Birkett, Scott Nemes and Paul Wilson. The show was notable for its frequent use of breaking the fourth wall to allow characters to speak directly to the audience. It also had the memorable "This is the Theme to Garry's Show" theme song, which was performed by Los Angeles musician Bill Lynch. The show was nominated for four Emmy Awards from 1986-1990.
Shandling and Dennis Klein created his second sitcom, The Larry Sanders Show, for HBO in 1992. The successful series ran for 6 seasons and 89 episodes until 1998. It was set in the office and studio of a fictional late-night talk show called The Larry Sanders Show. The cast included Jeffrey Tambor, Rip Torn, Penny Johnson, Janeane Garofalo, Jeremy Piven, Wallace Langham and Mary Lynn Rajskub. Shandling was nominated for 18 Emmy Awards for the show and won the Primetime Emmy Award for "Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series" in 1998, along with Peter Tolan, for writing the series finale, "Flip". Shandling wrote 38 episodes of the series, and directed three episodes in the final season.
He served as the host of the Emmys three times in 2000, 2003 (co-host) and 2004 and as host of the Grammys four times in 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994. Some of his television guest appearances included The Ben Stiller Show, Caroline in the City, The X-Files and My Adventures in Television.
His film credits included Love Affair, Mixed Nuts, Dr. Doolittle (voice), Hurlyburly, What Planet Are You From? (also producer and writer), Town & Country, Iron Man 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
James Sheldon (IMDB/Archive of American Television)
Director James Sheldon directed episodes of over 100 series. He died from complications of cancer on March 12, 2016, at his home in Manhattan, New York. Mr. Sheldon was 95.
Sheldon's early sitcom directing credits included ten episodes of Mr. Peepers in 1952. He directed a full season of The Bing Crosby show in 1964-1965. In 1967, he directed eight episodes of My Three Sons. Other credits included seven episodes of That Girl, eight episodes of Room 222, eight episodes of Love, American Style and six episodes of Sanford and Son.
Some of his other sitcom directing credits included The Donna Reed Show, Angel, Margie, The Patty Duke Show, My Mother the Car, O.K. Crackerby!, Family Affair, Petticoat Junction, Julia, To Rome with Love, My World and Welcome to It, Bridget Loves Bernie, Alice, M*A*S*H, The Love Boat and Sledge Hammer!.
He was mostly known for his work directing dramas. He directed 44 episodes of The Millionaire from 1957-1960. He worked on 6 episodes of The Twilight Zone in 1961-1962, including the classic "It's a Good Life." Other series he directed multiple episodes of included Zane Grey Theater, Perry Mason, Death Valley Days, Naked City, Route 66, The Fugitive, Walt Disney's World of Color, Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law, Petrocelli, McMillan & Wife, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo, The Dukes of Hazzard and Lottery!.
Hazel Shermet (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)
Character actress Hazel Shermet guest starred in many sitcoms. She died from natural causes at her home in Los Angeles, California, on October 27, 2016. Ms. Shermet was 96.
Shermet provided the voice of the Henrietta Hippo puppet for all 196 episodes of the children's television show New Zoo Revue, which ran from 1972-1977.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Hey, Jeannie!, Pete and Gladys, Make Room for Daddy, My Favorite Martian, The Beverly Hillbillies, The Addams Family, Mister Ed, I Dream of Jeannie, Alice, The Facts of Life, Gimme a Break! and Punky Brewster.
Madeleine Sherwood (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Madeleine Sherwood was best known for her role as Reverend Mother Superior Placido in The Flying Nun. She died on April 23, 2016, at her childhood home in Lac Cornu, Quebec. No cause of death was disclosed. Ms. Sherwood was 93.
Sherwood starred as Reverend Mother Superior Placido, the sober but gentle woman who runs the convent, in The Flying Nun. The 1967-1970 sitcom ran for three seasons on ABC. It starred Sally Field, Marge Redmond, Alejandro Rey, Shelley Morrison and Linda Dangcil.
Actor David Smyrl was best known for his role of Mr. Handford on Sesame Street. He died from lung cancer at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, on March 22, 2016. Mr. Smyrl was 80.
Smyrl played the role of Mr. Handford, the fictional retired firefighter who ran Hooper's Store on Sesame Street from 1990 to 1998.
He wrote two episodes of Benson in 1980. He joined The Cosby Show, both as a gag writer and actor, playing a general contractor named Sam Lucas for a five-episode recurring role.
David Spielberg (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor David Spielberg starred in the short-lived sitcom Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. He died in Los Angeles, California, on June 1, 2016. Mr. Spielberg was 77.
Spielberg starred in the short-lived 1973 ABC sitcom Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. The series starred Robert Ulrich, Anne Archer, Anita Gillette, Brad Savage and Jodie Foster.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Love, American Style, The Bob Crane Show, The Practice, C.P.O. Sharkey, One Day at a Time, Mork & Mindy, Family Ties, The Love Boat, Hooperman, Punky Brewster and Hearts Afire.
Actor James Stacy had a recurring role as Fred in The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. He died on September 9, 2016, in Ventura, California, from an allergic reaction to medication. Mr. Stacy was 79.
Stacy appeared as Fred in 19 episodes of The Ozzie and Harriet from 1956-1963.
His other sitcom guest appearances included The Donna Reed Show, Hazel, Love, American Style and The New Adventures of WKRP in Cincinnati.
He starred as Johnny Madrid Lancer in the 1968-1970 CBS western Lancer.
Grant Tinker (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)
Television producer and executive Grant Tinker served as Chairman and CEO of NBC from 1981 to 1986. He died at his Los Angeles, California home on November 28, 2016. Mr. Tinker was 90.
Tinker married actress Mary Tyler Moore in 1962. They formed the television production company MTM Enterprises in 1969. Tinker hired James L. Brooks and Allan Burns to create and produce the company's first television series, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, in 1970. MTM produced hit series such as Rhoda, The Bob Newhart Show, Lou Grant, The White Shadow, WKRP in Cincinnati, Hill Street Blues and St. Elsewhere. Tinker left the company in 1981 after his divorce from Moore.
He became the Chairman and CEO of NBC in 1981. NBC was in last place in the ratings at the time. During his tenure from 1981 to 1986, NBC developed hits like The Cosby Show, Family Ties, The Golden Girls, Cheers, Night Court and Hill Street Blues.
He later formed GTG Entertainment (Grant Tinker-Gannett). They produced the syndicated newsmagazine USA Today: The Television Show and the CBS dramas TV 101 and WIOU.
Tinker was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1997. He received a personal Peabody Award "for recognizing, protecting, and fostering creativity of the highest order" in 2004.
George Tipton (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Composer George Tipton provided the themes and incidental music for many sitcoms. He died on February 12, 2016. Mr. Tipton was 84.
His credits included The Courtship of Eddie's Father, Fay, Mulligan's Stew, Benson, Soap, The Love Boat, It's a Living, The Golden Girls, The Golden Palace and Empty Nest.
Canadian actor, composer, and game and talk show host Alan Thicke was best known for his role as Jason Seaver in Growing Pains. He collapsed while playing hockey with his son Carter on December 13, 2016. He subsequently died of type-A aortic dissection at the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California. Mr. Thicke was 69.
Thicke played Dr. Jason Seaver, a psychiatrist and father, in the ABC sitcom Growing Pains. The popular series ran for seven seasons and 166 episodes from 1985 to 1992. It starred Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold, Jeremy Miller, Ashley Johnson (1990-1992) and Leonardo DiCaprio (1991-1992). Thicke received a Golden Globe Award nomination in 1988 for Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical. The cast reunited for The Growing Pains Movie in 2000, followed by Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers in 2004.
He starred as Dennis Dupree in the 1995-1996 NBC sitcom Hope & Gloria. He played the vain, egocentric host of the local Pittsburgh The Dennis Dupree Show. The series starred Cynthia Stevenson, Jessica Lundy, Robert Garrova, Enrico Colantoni and Taylor Negron.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat, Married with Children, Arli$$, My Wife and Kids, Yes, Dear, Half & Half, Joey, Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, About a Girl, 'Til Death, I'm in the Band, How I Met Your Mother, Grandfathered and Fuller House.
He also worked as a TV theme composer. Thicke collaborated with his first wife Gloria Loring on the themes to Diff'rent Strokes and The Facts of Life. He also wrote many game show themes, including The Wizard of Odds, The Joker's Wild, Celebrity Sweepstakes, The Diamond Head Game, Animal Crack-Ups (which he also hosted), Blank Check, Stumpers!, Whew! and the original theme to Wheel of Fortune.
Thicke worked early in his career as a talk show host. He hosted the Canadian daytime talk show The Alan Thicke Show from 1980-1982. He later hosted the American syndicated late night talk show Thicke of the Night, which aired for one season from 1983-1984.
He hosted the Canadian game show First Impressions in the 1970s. He hosted Animal Crack-Ups on ABC for three seasons from 1987-1990. In 1997, he hosted the syndicated Pictionary. He hosted the All New 3's a Crowd on the Game Show Network in the early 2000s. Thicke hosted two other series focusing on animals with Animals Are People, Too in 1999 and Miracle Pets from 2000-2005 on PAX
Thicke had recently been starring in the Pop mockumentary/reality-sitcom hybrid series Unusually Thicke. It presented a fictionalized portrayal of his family life. The cast included his wife Tanya Callau and son Carter, with some appearances by his sons Brennan and Robin.
Actor James Victor starred in several short-lived sitcoms. He died at his apartment in Hollywood, California, on June 20, 2016. Mr. Victor was 76.
Victor starred as Victor Valdez in the 1976 ABC sitcom Viva Valdez The series starred Rodolfo Hoyos, Carmen Zapata, Nelson D. Cuevas, Lisa Mordente, Claudio Martinez and Jorge Cervera, Jr.
He played Jose Montoya in the 1983 ABC sitcom Condo. The series starred McLean Stevenson, Brooke Alderson, Mark Schubb, Marc Price, Luis Avalos, Yvonne Wilder and Julie Carmen.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included My Three Sons, Family Affair, Mayberry R.F.D., a.k.a. Pablo and I Married Dora.
Character actor Abe Vigoda was best known for his role as Detective Phil Fish in Barney Miller and its spinoff Fish. He died on January 26, 2016, in his sleep at his daughter's home in Woodland Park, New Jersey. Mr. Vigoda was 94.
Vigoda landed the role of Detective Phil Fish in Barney Miller in 1975. Fish was the senior detective on the squad of the 12th Precinct station. He was crotchety, near retirement and always suffering through some physical ailment, such as bladder problems and hemorrhoids. Fish was frequently on the phone dealing with a minor marital crisis with his wife, Bernice (Florence Stanley).
Vigoda was a regular on the show for the first three seasons. He retired from the police force in the second episode of the fourth season, though he returned for two guest appearances later in season four and season seven. Vigoda received Emmy nominations for "Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series" in 1976-1977 and "Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Series" in 1978.
Fish was such a popular character that he got his own spinoff series in 1977. Fish aired on ABC for two seasons from 1977-1978. It presented the domestic side of Fish's life, as he and his wife served as foster parents for a number of troubled children who were PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision). The series starred Florence Stanley, Lenny Bari, Todd Bridges, John Cassisi, Denise Miller, Sarah Nataolio and Barry Gordon.
Some of his other television guest appearances included Dark Shadows, Mannix, The Rookies, Toma, Hawaii Five-0, Kojak, Cannon, The Bionic Woman, Vega$, The Rockford Files, Fantasy Island, B.J. and the Bear, Superboy, Santa Barbara, MacGyver, Murder, She Wrote, Diagnosis Murder and Law & Order. His sitcom guest appearances included Love, American Style, The Love Boat, Harper Valley, P.T.A., Weird Science, Wings, Mad About You and Norm.
His best-known film role was that of elder mobster Salvatore Tessio in Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather in 1972. He also appeared briefly in The Godfather Part II in a flashback sequence at the end of the film. Some of his other film credits included Newman's Law, The Cheap Detective, Cannonball Run II, Keaton's Cop, Look Who's Talking, Prancer, Joe Versus the Volcano, Sugar Hill, Jury Duty, Good Burger and Witness to the Mob.
Actress Janet Waldo provided the voice of Judy Jetson in The Jetsons. She died on June 12, 2016, at her home in Encino, California. She had been diagnosed with a benign but inoperable brain tumor five years earlier, according to her family. Ms. Waldo was 96.
Waldo's early television guest appearances included I Love Lucy, The Phil Silvers Show, The Lucy Show and The Andy Griffith Show. She appeared in various roles, including five episodes as Janet, in The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet from 1953-1965.
She starred as Libby Freeman in the short-lived 1964-1965 ABC sitcom Valentine's Day. Some of her later sitcom guest appearances included Please Don't Eat the Daisies, Get Smart, Petticoat Junction and Julia.
Waldo provided the voice of Judy Jetson in all versions of The Jetsons except Jetsons the Movie. The teenage daughter Judy attended Orbit High School. The series aired on ABC for one season in 1962-1963 before new episodes began airing in syndication in 1985-1987.
She provided the voice of Nancy in Shazzan. She voiced Penelope Penelope Pitstop in Wacky Races and the spin-off The Perils of Penelope Pitstop. Waldo was the voice of Josie in Josie and the Pussycats. She provided the voice of Princess/Susan in Battle of the Planets.
Some of her other voice work included The Flintstones, The Atom Ant Show, The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan, The Addams Family, Inch High, Private Eye, Jeannie, Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels, Alvin & the Chipmunks and The Smurfs.
Writer Tom Whedon worked on many sitcoms. He died on March 23, 2016. Mr. Whedon was 83.
Whedon's sitcom writing credits included All's Fair, Alice, Benson, Maggie, The Two of Us, Suzanne Pleshette Is Maggie Briggs, It's a Living and The Golden Girls. He worked as a producer on It's a Living, Benson, Maggie, The Golden Girls and The Sinbad Show.
Margaret Whitton (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Margaret Whitton starred in several short-lived sitcoms. She died on December 4, 2016, at her home in Palm Beach, Florida after a brief battle with cancer. Ms. Whitton was 67.
Whitton appeared as Louisa Phillips in the romantic comedy A Fine Romance, which aired on ABC in 1989. It starred Christopher Czenove, Ernie Sabella, Kevin Moore, Dianah Lenney, Xavier Kuentz and Geerard Grobman.
She co-starred with Teri Garr as Genevieve ("Genny") in the 1991 ABC sitcom Good and Evil. It starred Mark Blankfield, Lane Davies, Mary Gillis, Seth Green Sherman Howard, Marian Seldes, LAne Smith, Brooke Theiss, Marius Weyers and William Shockley.
She starred as Adrienne St. John in the 1993 CBS sitcom Cutters. The series starred Robert Hays, Dakin Matthews, Julia Campbell, Robin Tunney, Julius Carry and Ray Buktenica.
Her film credits included The Secret of My Success, Major League, The Man Without a Face and Major League II.
Actor Gene Wilder was known for his many film roles, but he also starred in his own short-lived sitcom called Something Wilder. He died from complications of Alzheimer's disease on August 29, 2016, at his home in Stamford, Connecticut. Mr. Wilder was 83.
Wilder starred as Gene Bergman in the 1994-1995 NBC sitcom Something Wilder. He played a fifty-something husband who had a wife, Annie, in her thirties. He was the father of two 4-year-old fraternal twins, Gabe and Sam. The series starred Hillary B. Smith, Ian Bottiglieri, Carl Michael Linder, Gregory Itzin, Jake Weber, Raegan Kotz and Cleavant Derricks.
He guest starred as Mr. Stein, Will Truman's (Eric McCormack) boss, in two episodes of Will & Grace in 2002-2003. He won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for the role in 2003.
Some of his film credits included The Producers, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silver Streak, Stir Crazy, Hanky Panky, The Woman in Red, Haunted Honeymoon, See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Another You.
Actor Van Williams was best known for portraying Britt Reid/The Green Hornet in The Green Hornet. He died on November 28, 2016, from renal failure in Scottsdale, Arizona. Mr. Williams was 82.
He starred as Pat Burns in the 1964-1965 ABC sitcom The Tycoon. The series starred Walter Brennan, Jerome Cowan, Janet Lake, Pat McNulty and Monty Margetts.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Beverly Hillbillies, Love, American Style and Nanny and the Professor.
His other drama starring roles were as Kenny Madison in Bourbon Street Beat and its sequel Surfside 6.
Actress Janet Wright was best known for her role as Emma Leroy on the hit Canadian sitcom Corner Gas. She died on November 14, 2016, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Ms. Wright was 71.
Some of her television guest appearances included Wiseguy, Street Legal, Neon Rider, Eerie, Indiana: The Other Dimension, Due South, Lexx, Dark Angel and Monk. She appeared in 10 episodes of Kingdom Hospital as Liz Hinton.
Alan Young (IMDB/Wikipedia/Archive of American Television)
Emmy-winning actor Alan Young was best known for his role as Wilbur Post in Mister Ed. He died on May 19, 2016, of natural causes at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. Mr. Young was 96.
Young's American radio career began in 1944. His first radio appearances were on the Philco Radio Hall of Fame. The Alan Young Show began on NBC Radio as a summer replacement situation comedy in 1944. It moved to ABC Radio two years later before returning to NBC in 1946.
The Alan Young Show began as a variety/sketch comedy show on television on CBS in 1950. It won an Emmy Award for Best Variety Show in 1951. Alan Young won an Emmy Award for Best Actor in 1951. The show switched to a more conventional sitcom in the final season in 1953. Young played a bank teller. His girlfriend was played by Dawn Addams.
Young starred as Wilbur Post, the owner of Mr. Ed, a talking horse that would talk to no one but him, in Mister Ed. The popular series ran for six seasons 1961-1966. It began in first-run syndication before moving to CBS. The series starred Connie Hines, Larry Keating, Edna Skinner, Leon Ames, Florence MacMichael and Allan "Rocky" Lane as the voice of Mr. Ed. Mr. Ed was played by a Palomino horse named Bamboo Harvester. Young also directed episodes in the final season of the series.
Some of his other television guest appearances in the 1950s and 1960s included General Electric Theater, Studio One, Chevron Hall of Stars, Studio 57, The Steve Allen Show, Five Fingers, Encounter, Startime and Mr. Terrific (unaired pilot version).
He starred as Ed Pepper in the 1988-1989 CBS sitcom Coming of Age. His wife on the series was played by Glynis Johns. They were the neighbors of Dick and Ginny Hale (Paul Dooley and Phyllis Newman).
His other sitcom guest appearances included Down to Earth, City, Doogie Howser, M.D., Coach, Maybe This Time, The Wayans Bros., Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, USA High, Kelly Kelly, The Tony Danza Show, Hang Time and Maybe It's Me.
Young was also known for his voice work. He provided the voice of Scrooge McDuck in Disney films, the DuckTales TV series (1987-1990) and video games. Some of his other voice credits included Battle of the Planets, Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, The Incredible Hulk, The Smurfs, Alvin and the Chipmunks, TaleSpin, Batman: The Animated Series, The Ren & Stimpy Show and Duckman.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Saturday, December 21
none scheduled
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 16)
Friday, December 20
- Jason Bateman (Arrested Development/George and Leo/Chicago Sons/Simon/The Hogan Family/It's Your Move/Silver Spoons) - Watch Jason on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters/HouseBroken/Catastrophe) - Sharon is a guest on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Dwayne Johnson (Young Rock) - Dwayne appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Colton Dunn (Superstore) and Diona Reasonover (Clipped) - Colton and Diona are guests on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Zachary Quinto (Big Mouth/So Notorious) - NBC's Today catches up with Zachary in the 9am hour.
- Billy Eichner (Friends from College/Difficult People/Parks and Recreation) - Billy talks about Mufasa: The Lion King on NBC's Today in the 10am hour. He can also be heard on The Morning Mash Up on SiriusXM.
- Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Kerry talks about The Six Triple Eight on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am and on Sherri, so check your local listings.
- James Marsden (30 Rock) and Ben Schwartz (The Afterparty/Space Force/Parks and Recreation) - James and Ben talk about Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Jamie Lee Curtis (The Sticky/Anything But Love/Operation Petticoat) - Jamie Lee chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
- Whitney Cummings (Whitney) - Whitney talks about Max's Fast Friends on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
- Henry Winkler (Barry/Arrested Development/Out of Practice/Monty/Happy Days) - Access Daily with Mario & Kit has the best of Henry and Kit Hoover, so check your local listings.
- Howie Mandel (Good Grief) - The Talk celebrates 15 seasons with a special finale episode; friend of the show Howie Mandel makes his 21st appearance on the show when he stops by one last time with a surprise for the hosts on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
09/10 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-7
09/10 - The Ropers - The Complete Series (VEI)
09/10 - Ted - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/17 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - Video Scrapbook
09/17 - Top Cat - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K UHD)
09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD) / The Complete Series (DVD) (Blu-ray)
10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/05 - I Love Lucy - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
11/12 - The King of Queens - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (2024 Release)
11/19 - SpongeBob SquarePants - The Complete Fourteenth Season
11/26 - Looney Tunes Collector's Choice - Volume 4 (Blu-ray)
12/03 - Angel (1960-1961) - The Complete Series, Volume 1
12/17 - Seinfeld - The Complete Series (Blu-ray) (4K UHD)
02/04 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive
Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts
Sitcoms Online Main Page
Follow Us on Twitter
Follow Us on Facebook
Follow Us on Instagram
Follow Us on Threads
Subscribe to the RSS Feed
Contact Us