Monday, December 30, 2019
In Memoriam: Remembering the Sitcom Stars We Lost in 2019
Today we remember the sitcom actors, actresses, producers, directors, writers, and other crew members who died in 2019.
We lost stars from ALF, Alice, Benson, The Doris Day Show, The Flying Nun, Julia, The Larry Sanders Show, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Maude, McHale's Navy, The Monkees, The Mothers-in-Law, The Munsters, Rhoda, Soap, Who's the Boss? and many more who are greatly missed. We thank them for the laughter and entertainment they brought us over the years.
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 Interviews: An Oral History of Television links.
Actress Julie Adams starred in The Jimmy Stewart Show and made many sitcom guest appearances. She died on February 3, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Adams was 92.
Adams starred as Martha Howard in the 1971-1972 NBC sitcom The Jimmy Stewart Show. Martha was the wife of Professor James K. Howard (Jimmy Stewart). The series also starred Jonathan Daly, Ellen Geer, John McGiver, Kirby Furlong and Dennis Larson.
She played Mary Simpson, a county nurse and romantic interest of Sheriff Andy Taylor, in the 1962 episode of The Andy Griffith Show titled "The County Nurse." She appeared in two episodes of The Doris Day Show.
Adams starred as Ann Rorcheck in the 1981-1982 ABC adventure series Code Red. She had recurring roles as Paula Denning in Capitol and as Eve Simpson in Murder, She Wrote.
Her film credits included Bend of the River (1952) and Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954).
René Auberjonois (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor René Auberjonois starred as Clayton Endicott III in Benson. He died from metastatic lung cancer at his home in Los Angeles, California on December 8, 2019. Mr. Auberjonois was 79.
Auberjonois' early television drama guest appearances included Mod Squad, McMillan and Wife, Night Gallery, Harry O, Ellery Queen, The Rookies, Black Sheep Squadron, Delvecchio, The Bionic Woman, Starsky and Hutch, The Rockford Files, Wonder Woman, Family, Hart to Hart and Charlie's Angels. Some of his early sitcom guest appearances included Love, American Style, The Jeffersons, The Bob Newhart Show, Rhoda, Stockard Channing in Just Friends.
He starred as Clayton Endicott III in the ABC sitcom Benson. Clayton Endicott III was Governor James Gatling's (James Noble) snobbish and high-handed chief of staff. Auberjonois joined the series in the second season in 1980. His character replaced John Taylor (Lewis J. Stadlen) who appeared in the first season as chief of staff. Auberjonois received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the role in 1984. The series also starred Robert Guillaume, Missy Gold, Inga Swenson, Caroline McWilliams (1979-1981), Ethan Phillips (1980-1985), Didi Conn (1981-1985) and Billie Bird (1984-1986).
Some of his later sitcom guest appearances included Doogie Howser, M.D., Frasier (two episodes as Professor William Tewksbury), It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and 1600 Penn (two episodes as Winslow Hannum).
He starred as Odo in the 1993-1999 syndicated science fiction series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Constable Odo was the station's chief of security. He was a Changeling, capable of assuming any shape he wishes, but usually assumed a shape of a male adult humanoid. Auberjonois also directed eight episodes of the series from 1995 to 1999. The series also starred Avery Brooks, Terry Farrell, Cirroc Lofton, Colm Meaney, Armin Shimerman, Alexander Siddig, Nana Visitor, Michael Dorn and Nicole de Boer.
Auberjonois starred as Paul Lewiston the 2004-2008 ABC drama Boston Legal. Paul Lewiston is a senior partner at the law firm of Crane, Poole & Schmidt. He starred in the first three seasons and had a recurring role in the final two seasons. The series also starred James Spader, William Shatner, Candice Bergen, Monica Potter, Rhona Mitra, Lake Bell, Julie Bowen, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Constance Zimmer, Craig Bierko, Gary Anthony Williams, Tara Summers and John Larroquette.
He received his second Emmy nomination in 2001 for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Judge Mantz in The Practice. Some of his other drama guest appearances included Murder, She Wrote, L.A. Law, Eerie, Indiana, Matlock, The Outer Limits, Chicago Hope, Stargate SG-1, Nash Bridges, Judging Amy, Star Trek: Enterprise, Warehouse 13, Criminal Minds, Grey's Anatomy and The Good Wife. He appeared as Walter Nowack in four episodes of Madam Secretary in 2016.
Auberjonois was also known for his voice acting. He voiced Chef Louis in 1989's The Little Mermaid and Flanagan in 1997's Cats Don't Dance. Some of his television voice credits included Wildfire, Snorks, The Pirates of Dark Water, Xyber 9, The Legend of Tarzan, Xiaolin Showdown and Pound Puppies.
He made his credited film debut as Father John Mulcahy in M*A*S*H in 1970. He played expedition scientist Roy Bagley in 1976's King Kong. Some of his other film credits included Brewster McCloud, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Images, Pete 'n' Tillie, The Hindenburg, The Big Bus, Eyes of Laura Mars, Where the Buffalo Roam, Walker, The Ballad of Little Jo and The Patriot.
Actress, comedian and singer Kaye Ballard starred as Kaye Buell in The Mothers-in-Law. She died from kidney cancer at her home in Rancho Mirage, California on January 21, 2019. Ms. Ballard was 93.
Ballard starred as Kaye Buell in the 1967-1969 NBC sitcom The Mothers-in-Law. Kaye Buell was married to Roger Buell, who was played by Roger Carmel in the first season and Richard Deacon in the second season. She was the friend and next door neighbor of Eve Hubbard (Eve Arden), who was married to Herb (Herbert Rudley). Their children Jerry Buell (Jerry Fogel) and Susie Hubbard (Deborah Walley) married and made them in-laws. The series was created by Bob Carroll, Jr., and Madelyn Davis. Desi Arnaz was the executive producer.
She had a recurring role as Angie Pallucci in ten episodes of the CBS sitcom The Doris Day Show from 1970 to 1972. Angie and her husband, Louie (Bernie Kopell), owned and operated an Italian restaurant below an apartment in San Francisco that Doris Martin (Doris Day) lived in.
Ballard starred as Mrs. Treva Travalony in the 1990-1991 syndicated sitcom What a Dummy. Mrs. Travalony was the pushy next door neighbor of the Brannigan family in Secaucus, New Jersey. The series starred Stephen Dorff, Joshua Rudoy, David Doty, Annabel Armour and Janna Michaels.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Patty Duke Show, Here's Lucy, Love, American Style, The Montefuscos, Alice, The Love Boat, The Musters Today and Daddy Dearest.
She made three guest appearances in the Canadian crime drama/comedy Due South from 1994 to 1995. Some of her other drama guest appearances included Police Story, Fantasy Island, Here's Boomer, Trapper John, M.D., The Law and Harry McGraw and Monsters.
Some of her film credits included The Girl Most Likely, A House Is Not a Home, Which Way to the Front?, The Ritz, Falling in Love Again, Tiger Warsaw, Modern Love and Eternity.
Ballard was also known for her stage work. She starred on Broadway as Helen in The Golden Apple in 1954. Some of her other stage credits included Reuben, Reuben, The Pirates of Penzance, Molly, Wonderful Town and Carnival.
Sam Bobrick (IMDB/Wikipedia/The Interviews: An Oral History of Television)
Writer Sam Bobrick was the creator of Good Morning, Miss Bliss and Saved by the Bell. He died on October 11, 2019, shortly after suffering a stroke in Northridge, California. Mr. Bobrick was 87.
Bobrick's early television writing credits included The Flintstones, The Hero, The Andy Griffith Show, Hey, Landlord, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Get Smart, Accidental Family, Good Morning World, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The Paul Lynde Show and One Big Family. He won three Writers Guild of America Awards for his television work and was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Music or Variety for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1968.
He was the creator of the 1988-1989 Disney Channel sitcom Good Morning, Miss Bliss. NBC later resurrected the series as Saved by the Bell.
Eunetta T. Boone (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Writer and producer Eunetta T. Boone worked on Living Single, The Hughleys, One on One and Raven's Home. She died of an apparent heart attack in her Los Angeles, California home on March 20, 2019. Ms. Boone was 63.
Boone's writing credits included The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Roc, Getting By, Living Single, The Parent 'Hood, The Hughleys, One on One, Cuts and Raven's Home.
She worked as producer on Living Single, Lush Life, The Hughleys, My Wife and Kids and Raven's Home. She was the creator and showrunner for One on One and Cuts.
Cameron Boyce (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Cameron Boyce starred as Luke Ross in the Disney Channel sitcom Jessie and as Conor in the Disney XD sitcom Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything. He died on July 6, 2019, in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles, California due to an epileptic seizure. Mr. Boyce was just 20.
Boyce starred as Luke Ross in the 2011-2015 Disney Channel sitcom Jessie. Luke was the second oldest of the Ross children. The series follows Jessie Prescott (Debby Ryan) working as a nanny for the wealthy Ross family who live on the Upper West Side. It also starred Peyton List, Karan Brar, Skai Jackson and Kevin Chamberlin. The series ran for four seasons and 98 episodes.
He next starred as Conor in the 2015-2017 Disney XD sitcom Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything. Conor is a professional video game player who goes by the name of Kid Fury. The series also starred Murray Wyatt Rundus, Felix Avitia and Sophie Reynolds. It ran for two seasons and 37 episodes.
Boyce had a recurring role as Michael "Stone" Cates, Jr. in the Soapnet series General Hospital: Night Shift in 2008. He made guest appearances in Good Luck Charlie, Shake It Up, Liv and Maddie, Bunk'd and Code Black.
He made his feature film debut in 1998's Mirrors. He starred as Keithie Feder, Lenny Feder's (Adam Sandler) son, in Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2. His other film credits included 2008's Eagle Eye and 2011's Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer.
Boyce starred as Carlos in the Disney Channel's television films The Descendants in 2015 and the sequel Descendants 2 in 2017. Carlos is the son of of Cruella de Vil (Wendy Raquel Robinson). He provided the voice of Carlos in the television shorts Descendants: Wicked World from 2015 to 2017.
He provided the voice of Jake in seasons 2-3 of Disney Junior's Jake and the Never Land Pirates. His other voice credits included a 2014 episode of Ultimate Spider-Man as Luke Ross and a 2017 episode of Spider-Man as Shocker / Herman Schultz.
Pat Crawford Brown (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Character actress Pat Crawford Brown made guest appearances in many sitcoms. She died on July 2, 2019, in Corona, California. Ms. Brown was 90.
Brown had a recurring role as Ida Greenberg, a neighbor and close friend of Mrs. McCluskey (Kathryn Joosten), in the ABC mystery comedy-drama Desperate Housewives from 2004 to 2007. She had recurring roles on General Hospital and Days of Our Lives.
She had a recurring role as Mrs. Thorkelson in 16 episodes of the ABC sitcom Coach from 1989 to 1997.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Who's the Boss?, Dear John, Mama's Family, Designing Women, Growing Pains, Amen, Empty Nest, Step by Step, The Wonder Years, Love & War, Mad About You, Hearts Afire, Sister, Sister, Murphy Brown, Married with Children, Home Improvement, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Ellen and Suddenly Susan.
Al Burton (IMDB)
Television producer Al Burton worked on The Jeffersons, One Day at a Time, Diff'rent Strokes and Charles in Charge. He died on October 22, 2019, at his home in San Mateo, California. Mr. Burton was 91.
Burton worked for Tandem Productions, which was created by television director Bud Yorkin and television writer/producer Norman Lear, from 1972 to 1983. During his tenure there, he worked as a creative supervisor for the satirical soap opera Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and the satirical comedy series Fernwood 2 Night. He worked as a production supervisor and consultant for The Jeffersons, One Day at a Time, Diff'rent Strokes, Hello Larry, Sanford, Silver Spoons and Square Pegs. Some of the series were produced under the Embassy Television name.
He started his own production company called Al Burton Productions. He was an executive producer for Charles in Charge, The New Lassie and Out of Blue (1995-1996). In addition to his producing duties, he wrote the story for two episodes of Charles in Charge and one episode of Out of the Blue.
Burton, Alan Thicke and Gloria Loring wrote the lyrics for the Diff'rent Strokes theme song that was titled "It Takes Diff'rent Strokes." They also wrote the theme song for The Facts of Life, which was performed by Charlotte Rae and the cast for season 1 and by Loring for seasons 2-9. Burton, Michael Jacobs and David Kurtz wrote the theme song for Charles in Charge, which was performed by Shandi Sinnamon.
He was the Emmy-winning creator with Donnie Brainard and executive producer of the Comedy Central game show Win Ben Stein's Money. The series, which was hosted by Ben Stein with co-hosts Jimmy Kimmel (1997-2000), Nancy Pimental (2001-2001) and Sal Iacono (2002-2003), ran for 6 seasons from 1997 to 2003. It helped launch the career of Jimmy Kimmel. The series won seven Daytime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Game Show in 1999.
He was interviewed for the E! True Hollywood Story episodes for Diff'rent Strokes, Dana Plato, The Facts of Life, Sixteen Candles and Charles in Charge. He appeared in the Biography specials for Ben Stein in 2001 and for The Facts of Life in 2001.
Diahann Carroll (IMDB/Wikipedia/The Interviews: An Oral History of Television)
Actress, singer, model and activist Diahann Carroll starred as Julia Baker in Julia and as Dominique Deveraux in Dynasty. She died of cancer on October 4, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997. Ms. Carroll was 84.
Carroll made her television debut at age 18 on January 8, 1954, as a singing contestant on the Dumont Television Network's talent show Chance of a Lifetime. She appeared four consecutive weeks, winning three times. She made guest appearances on variety series and talk shows including The Red Skelton Hour, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Garry Moore Show, The Merv Griffin Show, The Danny Kaye Show, The Hollywood Palace, The Dean Martin Show, The Mike Douglas Show and The Carol Burnett Show.
Some of her early television drama guest appearances included General Electric Theater, Peter Gunn, Naked City and The Eleventh Hour. She received her first Emmy nomination in 1963 for Outstanding Single Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for her appearance in Naked City.
She was the first black woman to star in a weekly series in a non-stereotypical role in the 1968-1971 NBC sitcom Julia. Carroll played widowed single mother Julia Baker. She worked as a nurse in a doctor's office at a large aerospace company called Astrospace Industries. Carroll won a Golden Globe Award in 1969 for Best TV Star - Female for the role. She received an Emmy nomination for the Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series category in 1969. The single-camera series also starred Lloyd Nolan, Marc Copage, Michael Link, Betty Beaird, Mary Wickes, Ned Glass (1968-1970) and Lurene Tuttle (1968-1970).
Carroll starred as Dominique Deveraux in the ABC prime time soap opera Dynasty. She appeared in 74 episodes from 1984 to 1987. Dominique Deveraux was the mixed-race jet set diva and half-sister of Blake Carrington (John Forsythe). Billy Dee Williams played her onscreen husband, Brady Lloyd. She also appeared in seven episodes of the spin-off series The Colbys.
She had a recurring role as Marion Gilbert, Whitley's (Jasmine Guy) mother, in nine episodes of the NBC sitcom A Different World from 1989 to 1993. She received her third Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for the role in 1989.
Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat, Webster, The Sinbad Show, Evening Shade, Half & Half, Whoopi and Back to You.
Carroll had a recurring role as Ida Grayson in seven episodes of the syndicated western drama Lonesome Dove: The Series from 1994 to 1995. She starred as Justice Angela DeSett in the short-lived 2002 ABC legal drama The Court. She had a recurring role as Jane Burke, the demanding mother of Dr. Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington), in five episodes of Grey's Anatomy from 2006 to 2007. Carroll played an elderly widow named June Ellington in 25 episodes of USA Network's White Collar from 2009 to 2014.
Some of her other television drama guest appearances included Burke's Law, Touched by an Angel, Twice in a Lifetime, Strong Medicine, Soul Food and Diary of a Single Mom.
She made her film debut in 1954's Carmen Jones. Some of her other film credits included Porgy and Bess, Paris Blues, Hurry Sundown, The Split, Claudine, The Five Heartbeats, Eve's Bayou, Peeples and The Masked Saint. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for the film Claudine (1974) in 1975.
Carroll won a Tony Award for best actress, a first for a black woman, in 1962 for her role as Barbara Woodruff in the Broadway musical No Strings. Some of her other theater credits included House of Flowers, Agnes of God, Love Letters and Sunset Boulevard.
Tim Conway (IMDB/Wikipedia/The Interviews: An Oral History of Television)
Emmy-winning actor and comedian Tim Conway starred in McHale's Navy and The Carol Burnett Show. He died from complications of normal pressure hydrocephalus on May 14, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Conway was 85.
Conway's first television starring role was as Ensign Charles Beaumont Parker in the 1962-1966 ABC sitcom McHale's Navy. Ensign Charles Parker was the bumbling, naive Executive Officer of the World War II PT-73. The series also starred Ernest Borgnine, Joe Flynn, Carl Ballantine, Gary Vinson, Bob Hastings, Billy Sands, Edson Stroll, Jane Dulo (1962-1964), Gavin MacLeod (1962-1964), John Wright (1964-1966) and Yoshio Yoda. Conway wrote the story for one episode in 1963. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role by an Actor for the role in 1963. He also appeared in the 1964 film McHale's Navy and McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force in 1965.
He next starred in the short-lived 1967 ABC western sitcom Rango. Rango was an incompetent Texas Ranger who was assigned to Deep Wells Ranger Station, the quietest post in the state. The series also starred Guy Marks and Norman Alden.
Conway reunited with Joe Flynn in the short-lived 1970 CBS sitcom The Tim Conway Show. He played Spud Barrett, the well-meaning but bumbling chief pilot – in fact, the only pilot – and part-owner of Triple A Airlines, a charter airline based at Crawford Airfield in Los Angeles, California. The series also starred Anne Seymour, Johnnie Collins III, Emily Banks, Fabian Dean and Dennis Robertson.
Conway was a frequent guest on the CBS variety/sketch comedy series The Carol Burnett Show for the show's first eight seasons from 1967 to 1975. He became a regular on the series starting with the 1975-1976 season. His memorable characters included The Oldest Man and Mr. Tudball. He won four Emmy Awards for his work on the series: three for his performances in 1973, 1977 and 1978 and one for writing for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy-Variety or Music Series in 1978. The popular series also starred Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman (1967-1977), Lyle Waggoner (1967-1974) and Vicki Lawrence. Conway returned for the short-lived 1979 ABC variety/sketch comedy series Carol Burnett & Company.
He hosted the short-lived 1970 CBS variety/sketch comedy series The Tim Conway Comedy Hour. He guest starred in Turn-On, which aired for a single episode on ABC on February 5, 1969. He made guest appearances in Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In in 1970 and 1971. Conway starred in variety/sketch comedy series The Tim Conway Show, which ran for two seasons on CBS from 1980 to 1981. He starred in the 1990 ABC comedy reality series Tim Conway's Funny America. In 2003, he starred as Mr. Henderson in The WB short-lived sketch comedy series On the Spot.
Conway starred as Ace Crawford in the short-lived 1983 CBS sitcom Ace Crawford, Private Eye. Ace Crawford was a trench-coated private detective who always solves the case and catches the bad guy, despite his constant bumbling. The series also starred Joe Regalbuto, Billy Barty, Shera Danese, Bill Henderson and Dick Christie. Conway created and produced the series.
He had a recurring role as Tom Warner in seven episodes of the CBS sitcom Yes, Dear from 2001 to 2005. Vicki Lawrence played his wife, Natalie Warner. He received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Kenny in a 1996 episode of Coach titled The Gardener and for his role as Bucky Bright in the 2008 30 Rock episode titled Subway Hero. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Newhart, The Golden Palace, Cybill, Married with Children (as Ephraim Wanker in four episodes), The Larry Sanders Show, Cosby, Suddenly Susan, The Drew Carey Show, Mad About You and Hot in Cleveland.
Conway was also known for his voice work. He was the voice of Barnacle Boy in the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. Some of his other voice credits included The Simpsons, Hercules, Lloyd in Space, The Wild Thornberrys, What's New, Scooby-Doo?, The Proud Family, Scooby-Doo! Pirates Ahoy!, and Dragons: Riders of Berk.
He co-starred with Don Knotts in the films The Apple Dumpling Gang, The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again, The Prize Fighter and The Private Eyes. Some of his other feature film credits included The World's Greatest Athlete, Gus, The Shaggy D.A., The Billion Dollar Hobo, The Longshot, Dear God and Air Bud: Golden Receiver. He starred as the title character in the Dorf series of comedy films.
Actress, singer, and animal welfare activist Doris Day starred as Doris Martin in The Doris Day Show. She died on May 13, 2019, in Carmel Valley Village, California, after contracting pneumonia. Ms. Day was 97.
Day starred as Doris Martin in the 1968-1973 CBS sitcom The Doris Day Show. The series ran for 5 seasons and 128 episodes. Doris Martin was a widow with two young sons, Billy (Philip Brown) and Toby (Todd Starke, credited as Tod Starke in the series). She moved her family from New York City to her father's rural ranch in Cotina in Mill Valley, California. She worked as a secretary at Today's World magazine in San Francisco. The cast in the first three seasons included Denver Pyle (1968-1970), Fran Ryan (1968), James Hampton (1968-1969), Naomi Stevens (1968-1969), Rose Marie (1969-1971), McLean Stevenson (1969-1971), Paul Smith (1969-1971), Kaye Ballard (1970-1971) and Bernie Kopell (1970-1971). Day performed the series theme song Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be). She received a Golden Globe Award nomination in 1969 for the role.
The format of the series changed drastically in the fourth season. Doris Martin continued to work for Today's World. She was now a carefree, single full-time staff writer. Her children and most of the characters from the previous seasons never appeared or were mentioned again. The cast in seasons four and five included John Dehner (1971-1973) as her new editor Cy Bennett, Jackie Joseph (1971-1973) as Jackie Parker, Doris' friend and Cy's secretary, and Peter Lawford (1971-1973) as Dr. Peter Lawrence, a boyfriend of Doris. Day also served as an executive producer on the series for the 1972-1973 season.
Day appeared in 39 feature films released between 1948 and 1968. She made her feature film debut in Romance on the High Seas in 1948. In 1953, she starred in the hit musical Calamity Jane. Her song Secret Love won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Some of her other film credits included I'll See You in My Dreams, Love Me or Leave Me, The Man Who Knew Too Much (she sang Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song), Pillow Talk (Academy Award-nominated for Best Actress), Please Don't Eat the Daisies, Move Over Darling, The Thrill of It All, Do Not Disturb, Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? and With Six You Get Eggroll.
She began her career as a big band singer in 1939. Her first hit recording was Sentimental Journey with Les Brown & His Band of Renown in 1945. She recorded more than 650 songs from 1947 to 1967 during her solo career. Her 29th studio album, My Heart, was released in 2011. She received three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards, in 1998, 1999 and 2012, for her recordings of Sentimental Journey, Secret Love, and Que Sera, Sera, respectively. She received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009 and a Legend Award from the Society of Singers in 2010.
Day largely retired from acting after The Doris Day Show ended in 1973. She hosted her own television talk show Doris Day's Best Friends on CBN in 1985-1986.
She was well known for her work as an animal welfare activist for many years. She founded the Doris Day Pet Foundation 1978, which is now the Doris Day Animal Foundation (DDAF). She formed the Doris Day Animal League (DDAL) in 1987. In 2004, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work in the entertainment industry and for her work on the behalf of animals.
Bobby Diamond (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Buddy Diamond appeared in Westinghouse Playhouse and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. He died from cancer on May 15, 2019, in Thousand Oaks, California. Mr. Diamond was 75.
Diamond starred as Buddy in the 1961 NBC sitcom Westinghouse Playhouse (aka The Nanette Fabray Show). The series also starred Nanette Fabray, Wendell Corey, Jacklyn O'Donnell and Doris Kemper.
He appeared in the recurring role of Duncan Gillis, Dobie Gillis's cousin, in seven episodes of The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis from 1962 to 1963.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Father Knows Best, Angel, Pete and Gladys, The Andy Griffith Show, Mister Ed, The Patty Duke Show and The Bill Cosby Show.
Diamond starred as Joey Clark Newton in the 1955-1960 western series Fury. He later worked as an attorney.
Actor, writer and producer Bob Einstein performed the satirical stuntman character Super Dave Osborne and played Marty Funkhouser in Curb Your Enthusiasm and Larry Middleman in Arrested Development. He died on January 2, 2019, shortly after being diagnosed with cancer in Indian Wells, California. Mr. Einstein was 76.
Einstein's career began as a writer. He worked on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The Sony and Cher Comedy Hour and Van Dyke and Company. He shared Emmy wins for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy, Variety or Music for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1969 and for Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Series for Van Dyke and Company in 1977.
He first appeared as his goofy stuntman character Super Dave Osborne on The John Byner Comedy Hour in 1972. He also appeared as the character on Van Dyke and Company and The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour. Einstein starred in Super Dave (aka The Super Dave Osborne Show), a Canadian/American variety show which ran from 1987 to 1991 on Showtime in the United States and the Global Television Network in Canada. He won a 1992 CableAce Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series.
Einstein had a recurring role as Marty Funkhouser, one of Larry David's oldest friends, in Curb Your Enthusiasm from 2004 to 2017. He had a recurring role as Larry Middleman in five episodes of the third season of Arrested Development from 2005 to 2006.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Roseanne, The Norm Show, Welcome to the Captain and Anger Management. He played Robert "Bobby" Caldwell, Linus Caldwell's (Matt Damon) father, in the 2007 film Ocean's Thirteen.
Georgia Engel (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Georgia Engel was best known for her role as Georgette Franklin Baxter in The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She died on April 12, 2019, in Princeton, New Jersey. Ms. Engel was 70.
Engel starred as Georgette Franklin Baxter in 57 episodes of the CBS sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show from 1972 to 1977. Georgette was the ditzy but sweet-natured girlfriend and later wife of Ted Baxter (Ted Knight). They adopted a 8-year-old son named David (Robbie Rist) and had a baby girl of their own named Mary Lou. The series also starred Mary Tyler Moore, Edward Asner, Gavin MacLeod, Valerie Harper (1970-1974), Cloris Leachman (1970-1975), John Amos (1970-1973) and Betty White (1973-1977). Engel received two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Continuing Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the role in 1976 and 1977. She appeared as Georgette in the two Rhoda's Wedding episodes of Rhoda in 1974 and an episode of Hi Honey, I'm Home in 1992.
After The Mary Tyler Moore Show ended, she starred as Mitzi Maloney in the 1977-1978 CBS sitcom The Betty White Show. Mitzi Maloney was Joyce Whitman's (Betty White) naive best friend/roommate. The series also starred John Hillerman, Caren Kaye, Alex Henteloff, Barney Phillips and Charles Cyphers.
She appeared as Loretta Smoot in the short-lived 1980 ABC sitcom Goodtime Girls, which was set in Washington, D.C., during World War II (1942). Loretta shared a one-room apartment with Edith Bedelmeyer (Annie Potts) and Betty Crandall (Lorna Patterson). The series also starred Francine Tacker, Marcia Lewis, Merwin Goldsmith, Peter Scolari, Adrian Zmed and Sparky Marcus.
Engel starred as Susan Elliot in the 1983-1984 NBC sitcom Jennifer Slept Here, which starred Ann Jillian as a ghost named Jennifer Farrell. Susan Elliot was the wife of George (Brandon Maggart) and the mother of Joey (John P. Navin, Jr.) and Marilyn (Mya Akerling). Glenn Scarpelli played Marc, the next-door neighbor and friend of Joey.
She had recurring roles in several sitcoms. She appeared as Shirley Burleigh in 17 episodes of Coach from 1991 to 1997. Shirley Burleigh was the cheerful wife of Minnesota State athletic director Howard Burleigh (Kenneth Kimmins). She played Pat MacDougall, Robert Barone's (Brad Garrett) mother-in-law and the wife of Hank MacDougall (Fred Willard), in 14 episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond from 2003 to 2005. Engel received three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for the role in 2003, 2004 and 2005. She reunited with Betty White once again in the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland in 2012. She appeared as Mamie Sue Johnson, a naive friend of Elka's (Betty White), in 18 episodes from 2012 to 2015.
Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Mork & Mindy, The Associates, The Love Boat, Working, The Office, Two and a Half Men and One Day at a Time (2018).
She was also known for her voice work. Her voice film credits included The Magic of Herself the Elf, The Care Bears Movie, Dr. Dolittle 2, Boog and Elliot's Midnight Bun Run, Open Season, Open Season 2 and Open Season 3. Her TV voice credits included Hercules and Hey Arnold!.
Richard Erdman (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Character actor Richard Erdman had a recurring role as the old student Leonard Rodriguez in Community. He died on March 16, 2019, in an assisted-living facility in Los Angeles, California. He had been suffering from age-related dementia and recently had a fall. Mr. Erdman was 93.
Erdman's first sitcom starring role was as Pete Morrisey in the 1953-1954 ABC sitcom Where's Raymond?. The series was renamed The Ray Bolger Show for the second season in 1954-1955. Pete was Raymond Wallace's (Ray Bolger) landlord and press agent. It also starred Allyn Joslyn (1953-1954), Betty Lynn (1953-1954), Marjie Millar (1954-1955), Christine Nelson (1954-1955), Charlie Cantor (1954-1955) and Sylvia Lewis.
His next starring role was as Peter Fairfield III in the 1960-1961 NBC sitcom The Tab Hunter Show. Peter was the rich playboy and best friend of cartoonist Paul Morgan (Tab Hunter). The series also starred Jerome Cowan as John Larsen, Paul's Boss and the owner of Comics, Inc. and Reta Shaw as Thelma, Paul's housekeeper.
Erdman had a recurring role as the old student Leonard Rodriguez in 53 episodes of Community from 2009 to 2015. The series aired for five seasons on NBC before moving to Yahoo! Screen for the sixth and final season. Leonard was an elderly man who studied business at Greendale Community College. The series starred Joel McHale, Gillian Jacobs, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Donald Glover, Ken Jeong, Chevy Chase and Jim Rash.
Some of his 1950s and 1960s sitcom guest appearances included The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (3 episodes), December Bride (2 episodes), Make Room for Daddy, Mister Ed, The Bill Dana Show, Petticoat Junction, The Dick Van Dyke Show (he also directed 2 episodes), Green Acres, Mr. Terrific, Hogan's Heroes, Mayberry R.F.D., I Dream of Jeannie and The Beverly Hillbillies.
His 1970s and later sitcom guest appearances included Here's Lucy, That Girl, Love American Style, Alice, One Day at a Time, Too Close for Comfort, Small Wonder, Cheers, She's the Sheriff, It's a Living, Wings, Out of This World, Hudson Street, The Bernie Mac Show and Weird Loners. He made his final guest appearance in a 2017 episode of Dr. Ken.
Erdman starred as Klugie, the staff photographer and office philosopher, in the 1962-1963 newspaper drama Saints and Sinners. Some of his drama guest appearances included Perry Mason (6 episodes), The Twilight Zone, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Police Story, The Six Million Dollar Man (2 episodes), The Bionic Woman, Lou Grant, Quincy M.E., Murder, She Wrote, Beverly Hills 902010, Judging Amy and Joan of Arcadia.
He also did work as a voice over artist. Some of his voice credits included Space Stars, The Dukes, Galtar and the Golden Lance, The Smurfs, DuckTales, Popeye and Son, The Flintstone Kids, The New Yogi Bear Show, Snorks, The Further Adventures of SuperTed, Fantastic Max and The Pirates of Dark Water.
Erdman appeared in more than 60 films. Some of his best-known supporting roles were in The Men, Cry Danger, Stalag 17 and Tora! Tora! Tora!.
Actor Jerry Fogel starred in The Mothers-in-Law. He died on October 21, 2019, in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Fogel was 83.
Fogel starred as Jerome "Jerry" Buell in the 1967-1969 NBC sitcom The Mothers-in-Law. Jerry was the son of Kaye Buell (Kaye Ballard) and Roger Buell (Roger Carmel - Season 1, Richard Deacon - Season 2). The series also starred Eve Arden, Herbert Rudley and Deborah Walley.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Hey, Landlord, That Girl, Love, American Style, The Paul Lynde Show, Room 222, Here's Lucy, Lotsa Luck!, Chico and the Man, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Phyllis, Operation Petticoat and The Bob Newhart Show.
He had a recurring role as Bill Donahue in eight episodes of The White Shadow from 1978 to 1980.
Robert Forster (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Robert Forster appeared in the recurring role of Bud Baxter in Last Man Standing. He died on October 11, 2019, from brain cancer at his home in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Forster was 78.
Forster appeared as Bud Baxter, the widowed father of Mike Baxter (Tim Allen), in 10 episodes of Last Man Standing from 2012 to 2018.
His television drama credits included Banyon, Nakia, Karen Sisco, The Grid, Heroes and Twin Peaks (2017).
James Frawley (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Director and actor James Frawley worked on The Monkees. He died of a heart attack on January 22, 2019, in Indian Wells, California. Mr. Frawley was 82.
Frawley directed 28 episodes of The Monkees. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series in 1967 for the episode "Royal Flush." He also appeared in or provided voices in 12 episodes of the series.
Some of his other directing credits included That Girl, Paper Moon, Magnum, P.I., Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Cagney & Lacey, Columbo, Father Dowling Mysteries, Law & Order, Melrose Place, Picket Fences, Chicago Hope, Judging Amy, Ghost Whisperer and Grey's Anatomy. He directed The Muppet Movie in 1979.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances as an actor included The Bill Dana Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Hogan's Heroes and My Favorite Martian.
Actor Sid Haig had a recurring role in Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. He died in Thousand Oaks, California on September 21, 2019, from complications of COPD, Aspergillus pneumonia, a small bowel obstruction, and cardiopulmonary arrest. Mr. Haig was 80.
Haig had a recurring role as Texas, a production worker at the automobile plant in Fernwood, in the satirical soap opera Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Lucy Show, The Flying Nun, Here's Lucy, Get Smart and Just the Ten of Us. He played the villain Dragos in Jason of Star Command.
He appeared in many movies. He was known for his roles in several of Jack Hill's blaxploitation films from the 1970s, as well as for his appearances in horror films, most notably his role as Captain Spaulding in the Rob Zombie films House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil's Rejects and 3 from Hell.
Valerie Harper (IMDB/Wikipedia/The Interviews: An Oral History Television)
Emmy-winning actress Valerie Harper starred as Rhoda Morgenstern in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and its spin-off Rhoda. She died on August 30, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. She had battled leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, a rare condition in which cancer cells spread into the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain, since March 2013. Ms. Harper was 80.
Harper starred as Rhoda Morgenstern, the best friend and upstairs neighbor of Mary Richards (Mary Tyler Moore), in the CBS sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show from 1970 to 1974. Rhoda worked as a window dresser at the fictional Hemphill's department store. Harper appeared in a total of 92 episodes of the series. She was a regular in seasons 1-4 and appeared as a guest star in seasons 6-7. She won three consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1971, 1972 and 1973. The series also starred Edward Asner, Gavin MacLeod, Ted Knight, Cloris Leachman (1970-1975), Georgia Engel (1973-1977) and Betty White (1973-1977).
She continued her role as Rhoda Morgenstern in the spin-off series Rhoda, which aired on CBS from 1974 to 1978. Rhoda was desperately looking for a husband. She moves from Minneapolis back home to New York City. She soon meets and marries Joe Gerard (David Groh). Harper won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for the role in 1975. The series also starred Julie Kavner, Nancy Walker (1974-1976, 1977-1978), Harold Gould (1974–1976, 1977–78), Ron Silver (1976-1978), Ray Buktenica (1977-1978), Kenneth McMillan (1977-1978) and Lorenzo Music (voice only as Carlton the Doorman).
Harper and Moore reunited in the 2000 ABC TV movie Mary and Rhoda. The two-hour made-for-TV movie also starred Elon Gold, Christine Ebersole, Bethany Joy Lenz and Marisa Ryan. Harper and Moore reunited with the other women of The Mary Tyler Moore Show - Cloris Leachman, Betty White and Georgia Engel - in the TV Land sitcom Hot in Cleveland. The episode was titled Love Is All Around and aired on September 4, 2013.
She starred as Valerie Hogan in the first two seasons (32 episodes) of the NBC sitcom Valerie from 1986 to 1987. Valerie Hogan was a mother trying to juggle her career with raising three sons with an absent airline pilot husband. The family lived in Oak Park, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. The series, which was later renamed Valerie's Family and The Hogan Family, also starred Sandy Duncan (1987-1991), Jason Bateman, Danny Ponce, Jeremy Licht, Josh Taylor, Edie McClurg, Steve Witting (1987-1991), Tom Hodges (1986-1989), Christine Ebersole (1986), Judith Kahan (1986-1987), Josie Bissett (1990-1991), Angela Lee (1990-1991) and John Hillerman (1990-1991).
Harper held out in a contract dispute for more money, a larger piece of the syndication revenues and more creative control of the series after the second season. Her husband, Tony Cacciotti, was one of the executive producers. Lorimar eventually fired her from the series. She sued for being wrongfully fired and was awarded $1.4 million plus 12.5 percent of the show's profits. The character of Valerie Hogan was killed off in an auto accident. Sandy Duncan joined the series as Michael Hogan's divorced sister Sandy Hogan, a high school counselor. The series was renamed Valerie's Family for the third season and The Hogan Family for seasons four through six (the last season airing on CBS).
She next starred as Liz Gianni in the 1990 CBS sitcom City. Liz Gianni was the city manager for The Department of City Services of an unnamed American city. The series also starred Todd Susman, Tyra Ferrell, Stephen Lee, Sam Lloyd, Liz Torres, Mary Jo Keenen, James Lorinz, LuAnne Ponce (Danny Ponce's sister) and Shay Duffin. She did an interview with David Letterman on February 13, 1990.
Harper starred as Rita Stone in the short-lived 1995 CBS sitcom The Office. Rita Stone was a divorcée and a 19-year veteran of a secretarial pool at the executive office of a package design company in Chicago called Package Inc. The series also starred Dakin Matthews, Debra Jo Rupp, Lisa Darr, Kristin Dattilo-Hayward, Kevin Conroy, Andrea Abbate and Gary Dourdan.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Love, American Style (she also co-wrote an episode with her then-husband Richard Schaal), The Love Boat, Sex and the City, That '70s Show, Three Sisters, Less Than Perfect, Committed, 'Til Death, Melissa & Joey and 2 Broke Girls. She voiced various characters in eight episodes of The Simpsons and two episodes of American Dad!.
Harper made drama guest appearances in Columbo, Missing Persons, Touched by an Angel, Promised Land, Melrose Place, Family Law, Desperate Housewives, Drop Dead Diva and Signed, Sealed, Delivered. She competed as a contestant in Season 17 of Dancing with the Stars in 2013.
She received Golden Globe Award nominations for her roles in Freebie in the Bean (1974) and Chapter Two (1979). Some of her other film credits included The Last Married Couple in America, Blame It on Rio, Golda's Balcony and Shiver.
Harper began her career on Broadway as a dancer. She made her debut in the musical Take Me Along in 1959. She was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance as Tallulah Bankhead in the play Looped in 2010. Some of her other theater credits included Wildcat, Subways Are for Sleeping, Something Different, All Under Heaven and The Tale of the Allergist's Wife.
Katherine Helmond (IMDB/Wikipedia/The Interviews: An Oral History Television)
Actress Katherine Helmond starred as Jessica Tate in Soap and as Mona Robinson in Who's the Boss?. She died on February 23, 2019, from complications of Alzheimer's disease at her home in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Helmond was 89.
Helmond's first television appearance was an uncredited role in a 1962 episode of Car 54, Where Are You?. Some of her early sitcom guest appearances included Adam's Rib and The Bob Newhart Show. Her early drama guest appearances included Gunsmoke, The F.B.I., The Snoop Sisters, Hec Ramsey, Mannix, Barnaby Jones, The Rookies, Harry O, The Six Million Dollar Man, Petrocelli and The Bionic Woman.
She starred as ditzy matriarch Jessica Tate in the prime time soap opera sitcom Soap, which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1981. Jessica Tate was the sister of Mary Campbell (Cathryn Damon). She was married to wealthy Chester Tate (Robert Mandan) but separates from and later divorces him in the latter seasons of the series. Helmond was one of two cast members to appear in every episode of the series, with Richard Mulligan (Burt Campbell) being the other. The series also starred Diana Canova (1977-1980), Jennifer Salt, Jimmy Baio, Robert Guillaume (1977-1979), Arthur Peterson, Billy Crystal, Ted Wass, Robert Urich, Jay Johnson, Sal Viscuso, Dinah Manoff (1978-1979), Donnelly Rhodes (1978-1981) and Roscoe Lee Browne (1980-1981).
Helmond won the Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical for the role in 1981. She received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for all four seasons. The series was Emmy nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1978, 1980 and 1981. Helmond appeared as Jessica Tate in two episodes of the spin-off series Benson in 1979 and 1983. She also directed three episodes of Benson in 1983 and 1984.
She next starred as feisty mother Mona Robinson in the ABC sitcom Who's the Boss?, which aired from 1984 to 1992. Mona was the mother of divorced advertising executive Angela Bower (Judith Light). The series also starred Tony Danza, Alyssa Milano and Danny Pintauro. Helmond received the 1989 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film. She received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1988 and 1989. She directed the episode Tony the Nanny in 1985.
Helmond had a recurring role as Doris Sherman in 19 episodes of the ABC sitcom Coach from 1995 to 1997. Doris Sherman was the recently widowed and eccentric owner of the Orlando Breakers, a fictional NFL expansion team. The series also starred Craig T. Nelson, Shelley Fabares, Jerry Van Dyke, Bill Fagerbakke, Clare Carey (1989-1993) and Kenneth Kimmins.
Helmond played Lois Whelan, the mother of Debra Barone (Patricia Heaton), in 14 episodes of the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Rayond from 1996 to 2004. She was married to Warren Whelan (Robert Culp). Helmond received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for the role in 2002.
She appeared in over 20 films. Some of her credits included Family Plot, Baby Blue Marine, Time Bandits, Brazil, Overboard and Lady in White. She provided the voice of Lizzie in the Cars franchise. She was nominated for Broadway's 1973 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actress (Dramatic) for Eugene O'Neill's The Great God Brown.
Actress Mitzi Hoag starred in We'll Get By and made many sitcom guest appearances. She died on February 26, 2019, at her home in Sherman Oaks, California. Ms. Hoag was 86.
Hoag had a recurring role as Miss Essie Gillis in the first season of 1968-1970 comedy western Here Come the Brides. She was the school teacher and eventually Big Swede's (Bo Svenson) wife. Hoag appeared in two other episodes in the second season as Iona and Sister Agnes. The series starred Robert Brown, Bobby Sherman, David Soul, Joan Blondell, Bridget Hanley, Mark Lenard, Susan Tolsky and Henry Beckman.
She starred as Liz Platt in the short-lived 1975 CBS sitcom We'll Get By. She and her husband, George Platt (Paul Sorvino), lived in the New Jersey suburbs with their three teenage children. The series, which was created by Alan Alda, also starred Jerry Houser, Willie Aames and Devon Scott.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included That Girl, Family Affair, Good Morning World, The Second Hundred Years, My Three Sons, Love American Style, The Partridge Family, Good Heavens, The Love Boat, The Jeffersons, Archie Bunker's Place, Three's a Crowd, The Facts of Life (three episodes as Natalie's mother, Evie Green) and Grace Under Fire.
Actor Arte Johnson starred in It's Always Jan and Don't Call Me Charlie and was a regular on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. He died in Los Angeles, California on July 3, 2019, after being ill for three years with bladder and prostate cancer. Mr. Johnson was 90.
Johnson starred as Stanley Schreiber in the 1955-1956 sitcom It's Always Jan. The series also starred Janis Paige, Patricia Bright, Merry Anders, Jeri Lou James and Sid Melton.
He appeared as Seaman Shatz in three episodes of the CBS sitcom Hennesey from 1960 to 1961.
Johnson starred as Cpl. Lefkowitz in the 1962-1963 NBC sitcom Don't Call Me Charlie. The series also starred Josh Peine, Linda Lawson, John Hubbard, Cully Richards, Alan Napier, Louise Glenn and Penny Santon.
He was a regular on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In from 1967 to 1971. He won an Emmy Award in 1969 for Special Classification Achievements - Individuals (Variety Performances) for the role.
Actor Ron Leibman starred in Pacific Station and Holding the Baby. He died from complications of pneumonia in Manhattan on December 6, 2019. Mr. Leibman was 82.
Leibman starred as Det. Al Burkhardt in the 1991-1992 NBC sitcom Pacific Station. The series starred Robert Guillaume, Richard Libertini, Joel Murray, Megan Gallagher and John Hancock.
He starred as Stan Peterson, the demanding boss of Gordon Stiles (Jon Patrick Walker) in the short-lived 1998 Fox sitcom Holding the Baby. The series also starred Jennifer Westfeldt, Eddie McClintock, Sherri Shepherd and Carter and Jordan Kemp.
He had a recurring role as Dr. Leonard Green, Rachel Green's (Jennifer Aniston) overbearing father, in four episodes of Friends from 1996 to 2004.
Leibman starred as Martin "Kaz" Kazinsky in the CBS law/detective drama Kaz. He won an Emmy Award in 1979 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for the role. He played Allen Rush in the 1995-1996 CBS serial drama Central Park West (C.P.W.).
Charles Levin (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Charles Levin starred as Elliot Novak in Alice. His body was found on July 13, 2019, near Selma, Oregon. The cause of his death was accidental. His car became stuck where it was later found on an unmaintained wilderness road. After trying to free it, it appeared he left the car in search of help and fell down a 30 foot embankment to his death. Mr. Levin was 70.
Levin played the lovable cop Elliot Novak in the CBS sitcom Alice. Eliot later married Vera Louise Gorman (Beth Howland). Levin had a recurring role in season 8 before becoming a regular in season 9.
He played Sam in the first season of the CBS sitcom Goodnight, Beantown. He starred as Michael Brand in the short-lived 1987 Fox sitcom Karen's Song.
Levin played the recurring role of Eddie Gregg on Hill Street Blues from 1982 to 1986. He starred as Vinnie DeSalvo in the short-lived 1990 ABC newspaper drama Capital News.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Family Ties, It Takes Two, The Golden Girls, Life with Lucy, The Facts of Life, It's a Living, Punky Brewster, Empty Nest, Night Court, Growing Pains, Designing Women, Seinfeld, Murphy Brown and Hearts Afire.
Beverly Lunsford (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Beverly Lunsford appeared as Shirley Fletcher in Leave it to Beaver. She died on May 22, 2019, in Canton, Georgia. Ms. Lunsford was 74.
Lunsford appeared as the annoying Shirley Fletcher in two episodes of Leave it to Beaver in 1962. Her other TV guest appearances included The Secret Storm, Mr. Citizen, Robert Montgomery Presents, The United States Steel Hour and National Velvet.
Her film credits included That Night!, The Intruder, The Crawling Hand and Jennie: Wife/Child.
Actor Bill Macy was best known for his role as Walter Findlay in Maude. He died on October 17, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Macy was 97.
Macy's early television credits included the role of a cab driver in The Edge of Night in 1966 and an appearance in N.Y.P.D. in 1969. He played a police officer in the All in the Family episode "Archie Sees a Mugging." He first appeared as Walter Findlay in the All in the Family episode titled "Maude" on March 11, 1972.
He starred as Walter Findlay, the long-suffering husband of Maude Findlay (Bea Arthur), in the 1972-1978 CBS sitcom Maude. Walter Findlay was the fourth husband of Maude. He was the owner of Findlay's Friendly Appliances. The Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin created series ran for six seasons and 151 episodes. Maude also starred Adrienne Barbeau, Conrad Bain, Rue McClanahan, Esther Rolle (1972-1974), J. Pat O'Malley (1975-1977) and Marlene Warfield (1977-1978).
Macy worked again with Norman Lear in the short-lived 1979 CBS sitcom Hanging In. He played Louis "Lou" Harper, a former professional football player turned president of the fictional Braddock University. The series ran for just four episodes. It also starred Barbara Rhodes, Dennis Burkley, Nedra Volz and Darian Mathias.
He starred as Max Basner in the short-lived 1987 NBC sitcom Nothing in Common, which was based on the 1986 movie of the same name that starred Tom Hanks and Jackie Gleason. Max was the unemployed father of David Basner (Todd Waring). The series also starred Wendy Kilbourne, Mona Lyden, Bill Applebaum, Elizabeth Bennett, Patrick Richwood, Billy Wirth, Allan Kent and Julie Paris.
Macy appeared as one of the residents of the Florida retirement community where Jerry's parents lived in the Seinfeld episodes "The Cadillac" and "The Shower Head." Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Oh Madeline, The Love Boat, One Big Family, The Facts of Life, The Famous Teddy Z, Dave's World, Can't Hurry Love, Ned and Stacey, The Home Court, The John Larroquette Show, Something So Right, Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, Norm, My Wife and Kids, Stacked, How I Met Your Mother, My Name Is Earl, Back to You and True Jackson, VP.
Some of his television drama guest appearances included Hotel, St. Elsewhere, Tales from the Darkside, Hardcastle and McCormick, L.A. Law, Highway to Heaven, Murder, She Wrote, Father Dowling Mysteries, Matlock, Diagnosis Murder, NYPD Blue, Chicago Hope, Viper, Jack & Jill, Touched by an Angel, ER, Las Vegas and Hawthorne.
He appeared as the jury foreman in the 1967 film The Producers. He played Stan Fox, the co-inventor of the "Opti-grab", in The Jerk in 1979. He starred as the head television writer Sy Benson in 1982's My Favorite Year. Some of his other film credits included Oh! Calcutta!, The Late Show, Serial, Movers & Shakers, Bad Medicine, Me Myself & I, Surviving Christmas, The Holiday and Mr. Woodcock (as Mr. Woodcock's father).
Macy was an original cast member of the 1969-1972 Off-Broadway sensation Oh! Calcutta!, performing in the show from 1969 to 1971. He played Monte / Mute Physician in the 1972 film Oh! Calcutta!.
Philip McKeon (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Philip McKeon starred as Tommy Hyatt in Alice. He died in Wimberley, Texas on December 10, 2019, after battling a long illness. Mr. McKeon was 55.
McKeon starred as Tommy Hyatt, the son of Alice Hyatt (Linda Lavin), in the 1976-1985 CBS sitcom Alice. Tommy was a talented guitarist and basketball player. He later attended Arizona State University on a basketball scholarship.
Alice was based on the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. Alfred Lutter played the role in the film and pilot episode. McKeon appeared in 108 of the 202 episodes during the show's nine seasons. His younger sister, Nancy (The Facts of Life), guest starred in two episodes in two different roles. The series also starred Vic Tayback, Beth Howland, Polly Holliday (1976-1980), Diane Ladd (1980-1981), Celia Weston (1981-1985) and Charles Levin (1983-1985).
Some of his television guest appearances included CHiPs, Fantasy Island, The Love Boat and Amazing Stories (with guest star Charlie Sheen). He starred in the 1982 TV special Leadfoot and 1988 mini-series Favorite Son. He appeared on game shows such as The Hollywood Squares and The $10,000 Pyramid.
His film credits included Return to Horror High (1987), Red Surf (1989), 976-EVIL 2: The Astral Factor (1992), Sandman (1993) and Ghoulies IV (1994). He worked as a producer for the films Where the Day Takes You (1992), Teresa's Tattoo (1994, starring his sister Nancy), Murder in the First (1995) and The Jacket (2005).
McKeon worked on radio after 2000. He worked in the news department at KFWB AM 980 in Los Angeles for 10 years. He later co-hosted the morning radio show The Breakfast Taco on KWVH-LP 94.1FM in Wimberley, Texas.
J. Michael Mendel (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Television producer J. Michael Mendel worked on The Simpsons and Rick and Morty. He died at his home in Los Angeles on September 22, 2019, from natural causes. Mr. Mendel was 54.
Mendel worked as a producer on the animated series The Critic, The PJs, The Oblongs, The Pitts, Drawn Together, Good Vibes and Napoleon Dynamite.
He worked as a producer on The Simpsons from 1989 to 1999. During his time on the series, The Simpsons won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Animated Program in 1995, 1997 and 1998.
Mendel joined Rick and Morty in 2013. He won his fourth Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program in 2018.
Louisa Moritz (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Cuban-American actress Louisa Moritz made guest appearances in 1970s sitcoms such as Love, American Style. She died on January 4, 2019, in a hospital in Los Angeles, California of natural causes. Ms. Moritz was 82.
Moritz appeared in three episodes of Love, American Style as various characters. She played Verna LaVerne in the Happy Days episode titled "Richie's Cup Runneth Over." Her other sitcom guest appearances included Lotsa Luck!, M*A*S*H, One Day at a Time, Chico and the Man, CPO Sharkey and The Associates. She played Rose in the 1975 film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Margie in the 1978 film Loose Shoes.
Shelley Morrison (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Shelley Morrison starred in The Flying Nun and Will & Grace. She died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on December 1, 2019, as a result of heart failure after a brief illness. Ms. Morrison was 83.
Morrison starred as Sister Sixto in the 1967-1970 ABC sitcom The Flying Nun. Sister Sixto was a Puerto Rican nun who always misinterprets English slang. The series also starred Sally Field, Marge Redmond, Madeleine Sherwood, Alejandro Rey, Linda Dangcil and Vito Scotti (1968-1969).
She starred as the maid Rosario Salazar in the NBC sitcom Will & Grace from 1999 to 2006. She played Nell in the short-lived 1995 CBS legal drama Courthouse.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Farmer's Daughter, My Favorite Martian, Occasional Wife, The Partridge Family, Soap, 1st & Ten, The Fanelli Boys, Home Improvement and My Name Is Earl.
Beverley Owen (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Beverley Owen was best known for her role as the original Marilyn Munster in The Munsters. She died on February 21, 2019, at her home in Montpelier, Vermont after battling ovarian cancer. Ms. Owen was 81.
Owen's first television appearance was in the soap opera As the World Turns in 1961. She made guest appearances in The Doctors, Kraft Mystery Theater, Wagon Train and The Virginian. She played Susan in the 1964 film Bullet for a Badman, which starred Audie Murphy, Darren McGavin and Ruta Lee.
She starred as Marilyn Munster in the first 13 episodes of season one of The Munsters in 1964. Marilyn was the niece of Lily Munster (Yvonne DeCarlo) who lived with the Munsters. Owen wore a blonde wig to resemble Marilyn Monroe in the series. Pat Priest took over the role beginning with episode 14. The 1964-1966 CBS sitcom also starred Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster, Al Lewis as Grandpa Munster and Butch Patrick as Eddie Munster.
Owen left the series to be married to writer and producer Jon Stone. Stone was best known for being an original crew member on Sesame Street and is credited with helping develop characters such as Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch and Big Bird. Owen and Stone had two daughters, Polly and Kate. They were married until 1974. Owen was a graduate from the University of Michigan. She received her master's degree in Early American History in 1989.
Barbara Perry (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Barbara Perry starred in The Hathaways and made many sitcom guest appearances. She died on May 15, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Perry was 97.
Perry appeared as Thelma Brockwood/Blackwood in the 1961-1962 ABC sitcom The Hathaways. The series starred Peggy Cass, Jack Weston, Harvey Lembeck, Mary Grace Canfrield and Belle Montrose.
She played Miss Weatherly in the 1957 CBS sitcom The Marge and Gower Champion Show. Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Jim Backus Show, The Donna Reed Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Pete and Gladys, The Joey Bishop Show, My Favorite Martian, The Andy Griffith Show, The Lucy Show, Bewitched, My Three Sons, Benson, Newhart, Murphy Brown and How I Met Your Mother.
Michael J. Pollard (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Michael J. Pollard starred in the sitcom Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills. He died on November 20, 2019, from cardiac arrest in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Pollard was 80.
Pollard starred as Leonard, the handyman, in the short-lived 1986 CBS sitcom Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills. The series starred Harvey Korman, Valerie Perrine, Deborah Harmon, Kenneth Kimmins, Sue Ball and Julie Payne.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Andy Griffith Show, The Lucy Show, The Baileys of Balboa, Blossom, Wings and Becker.
Character actress Linda Porter had a recurring role as Myrtle Vartanian in Supertore. She died of cancer on September 25, 2019. Ms. Porter was 86.
Porter appeared as Myrtle Vartanian, Cloud 9's longest-serving employee (30 years), in the NBC sitcom Superstore.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Frasier, Roseanne, Mad About You, Hang Time, Wings, The Naked Truth, Clueless, Even Stevens, Dharma & Greg, Girlfriends, The King of Queens, Joey, Out of Practice, My Name Is Earl, How I Met Your Mother, The Middle, The Mindy Project and 2 Broke Girls.
Scott Rubenstein (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Writer Scott Rubenstein worked on several sitcoms. He died on July 25, 2019, in West Hollywood, California. Mr. Rubenstein was 71.
Rubenstein's sitcom writing credits included Diff'rent Strokes, Benson, 9 to 5 and Night Court.
He was a writer and story editor for Star Trek: The Next Generation. His other writing credits included Cagney & Lacey, MacGyver, Hunter and The New Adam-12.
Kristoff St. John (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Kristoff St. John starred in The Bad News Bears and Charlie & Company. He died at his Los Angeles, California, home on February 3, 2019, from hypertrophic heart disease. Mr. St. John was 52.
St. John appeared as Homer in the Saturday morning sitcom Big John, Little John. The series also starred Herb Edelman, Robbie Rist, and Joyce Bulifant.
He played Ahmad Abdul Rahim in the 1979-1980 CBS sitcom The Bad News Bears. The series also starred Jack Warden, Catherine Hicks, Sparky Marcus, Meeno Peluce, Billy Jayne, Corey Feldman, Shane Butterworth and Tricia Cast.
St. John starred as sixteen-year-old Charlie "Junior" Richmond, Jr. in the 1985-1986 CBS sitcom Charlie & Company. The series also starred Flip Wilson, Gladys Knight, Fran Robinson, Jaleel White and Della Reese.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included That's My Mama, Happy Days, The Cosby Show, What's Happening Now!!, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Martin, The Crew, The Jamie Foxx Show, Living Single, Family Matters, Suddenly Susan, For Your Love, The First Family, Love That Girl! and Family Time.
St. John starred as Adam Marshall in the 1989-1991 NBC daytime soap opera Generations. He starred as Neil Winters on the CBS daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless from 1991 to 2019. He won Daytime Emmy Awards for the role in 1992 and 2008.
Jeraldine Saunders (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Writer Jeraldine Saunders was the creator of The Love Boat. She died on February 26, 2019, in Los Angeles, California, from complications from kidney stone surgery. Ms. Saunders was 95.
The Love Boat was based on her 1974 book, Love Boats, her anecdotal account of her time employed as the first full time female cruise director. She was interviewed for the 2001 Biography special on The Love Boat. The 1977-1986 ABC sitcom starred Gavin MacLeod, Bernie Kopell, Fred Grandy, Ted Lange, Lauren Tewes (1977-1984), Jill Whelan (1979-1986), Ted McGinley (1984-1986) and Pat Klous (1984-1986.
Bernard Slade (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Wrtier Bernard Slade was the creator of The Flying Nun and The Partridge Family. He died from Lewy body dementia at his home in Beverly Hills, California on October 30, 2019. Mr. Slade was 89.
Slade created and worked as a writer on Love on a Rooftop, The Flying Nun, Bridget Loves Bernie, The Girl with Something Extra and The Partridge Family. His other writing credits included My Living Doll, Bewitched, The Courtship of Eddie's Father and Good Heavens.
Robert Sorrells (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Robert (Bob) Sorrells starred in the military sitcom Ensign O'Toole. He died prison while serving an indeterminate life sentence for murder on June 11, 2019, in Vacaville, California. Mr. Sorrells was 88.
Sorrells starred as Seaman Claude White in the 1962-1963 NBC sitcom Ensign O'Toole. The series also starred Dean Jones, Jay C. Flippen, Jack Mullaney, Harvey Lembeck, Jack Albertson and Beau Bridges.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included F Troop, Bewitched, The Farmer's Daughter, Run Buddy Run, The Phyllis Diller Show, Pistols 'n' Petticoats.
Actress Joan Staley starred in Broadside. She died from heart failure in Valencia, California on November 24, 2019. Ms. Staley was 79.
Staley starred as Machinist's Mate Roberta Love in the 1964-1965 ABC sitcom Broadside. The series also starred Kathy Nolan, Edward Andrews, Dick Sargent, Lois Roberts, Sheila James, Jimmy Boyd, Arnold Stang, George Furth and Don Edmonds.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Tab Hunter Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Real McCoys, The Joey Bishop Show, McHale's Navy, The Munsters, Rango and Pistols 'n' Petticoats.
Nathaniel Taylor (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Nathaniel Taylor was best known for his role as Rollo Lawson in Sanford and Son. He was rushed to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles after suffering from a heart attack on February 23, 2019. He died from the complications of it on February 27, 2019. Mr. Taylor was 80.
Taylor appeared in the recurring role of Rollo Lawson in 32 episodes of the NBC sitcom Sanford and Son from 1972 to 1977. Rollo was Lamont Sanford's (Demond Wilson) best friend. The series also starred and featured Redd Foxx, Don Bexley, Hal Williams (1972-1976), Gregory Sierra (1972-1975), LaWanda Page (1973-1977), Whitman Mayo (1973-1977), Lynn Hamilton and Pat Morita (1974-1975).
He appeared as Rollo in one episode of the NBC spin-off series Grady, which starred Whitman Mayo, in 1975. He reprised the role in the 1980-1981 NBC spin-off Sanford. The short-lived series starred Redd Foxx, Dennis Burkley, Marguerite Ray, Suzanne Stone, Cathy Cooper, Percy Rodriguez and Clinton Derricks-Carroll.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Bill Cosby Show, What's Happening!! (two episodes as Rerun's brother-in-law, Ike) and 227. He reunited with Redd Foxx in the short-lived 1986 ABC sitcom The Redd Foxx Show in two episodes as Jim-Jam. His drama guest appearances included The Bold Ones: The Senator, Adam-12, Harry O and Police Story.
He appeared as Leroy, one of one of Mr. Big's henchmen, in the 1972 film Trouble Man. His other film credits included: Black Girl; As Above, So Below; Willie Dynamite; Passing Through; and The Hunter.
Actor and comedian Rip Taylor made guest appearances in many sitcoms. He died on October 6, 2019, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, having been hospitalized after suffering an epileptic seizure the week prior. Mr. Taylor was 88.
Taylor was a regular on the short-lived The Brady Bunch Hour as Jackie Merrill. He hosted a short-lived send-up of beauty pageants titled The $1.98 Beauty Show. He was a regular on Sid and Marty Krofft's Sigmund and the Sea Monsters, playing Sheldon, a sea-genie who lived in a conch shell.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Monkees, Madame's Place, Down to Earth, The Naked Truth, Brotherly Love, Life with Bonnie, Will & Grace and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
Voice actress Russi Taylor worked on The Simpsons and was the long-time voice of Minnie Mouse. She died from colon cancer on July 26, 2019, at her home in Glendale, California. Ms. Taylor was 75.
Taylor provided the voices of numerous characters in the animated series The Simpsons, including fourth-grade nerd Martin Prince, purple-haired twins Sherri and Terri, and German exchange student Üter Zorker. She also provided the voices for Lewis, Wendell Borton, Martha Prince, Dr. Hibbert's daughter and Sydney Swift.
She voiced Pebbles Flintstone in The Flintstone Comedy Show for Hanna-Barbera in 1980. Some of her other voice credits included Pac-Man, Muppet Babies, DuckTales, Disney's House of Mouse, Mickey Mouse's Clubhouse, Minnie's Bow-Tunes, Mickey Mouse and Mickey and the Roadster Racers.
Musician and actor Peter Tork was best known as the keyboardist and bass guitarist of The Monkees. He died on February 21, 2019, at his home in Mansfield, Connecticut, from complications of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Mr. Tork was 77.
The Monkees were formed in Los Angeles in 1965 by Bob Rafelson and Bert Schneider specifically for the sitcom The Monkees. Davy Jones had a long-term contract with Screen Gems to appear in television programs. He was shortlisted for the auditions and identified in advance as a potential star for the series. Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter ran an ad to cast the remainder of the band/cast members for the TV series on September 8-10, 1965. Michael Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork were chosen out of 437 applicants. Tork was the last chosen and oldest member of the group.
The Monkees premiered on NBC on September 12, 1966. The series follows the adventures of four young men (The Monkees) trying to make a name for themselves as a rock 'n roll band. Tork played the lovable dummy, a persona he had developed as a folk singer in New York's Greenwich Village. Although the series ran for only 2 seasons (1966 to 1968) and 58 episodes, it remains hugely popular to this day. They received two Emmy Awards in 1967: Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy (James Frawley). Tork directed the episode Monkees Mind Their Manor in 1968.
The band was originally active from 1966 to 1971. They released six albums, four of which went to No. 1 on the Billboard chart. Some of their big hits included: (Theme From) The Monkees; Last Train to Clarksville; I'm a Believer; (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone; A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You; Pleasant Valley Sunday; Daydream Believer; and Valleri. In 1968, they appeared in the feature film Head. They appeared in the 1969 NBC TV special 33 1⁄3 Revolutions per Monkee. The band reunited in 1986 and toured intermittently with different lineups for a number of years. Tork, Dolenz and Jones appeared in The Brady Bunch Movie in 1995.
Tork made guest appearances in several television series. He appeared as himself in a 1995 episode of Wings where he bids against Helen (Crystal Bernard) for the Monkeemobile. He played Topanga Lawrence's (Danielle Fishel) father, Jedidiah Lawrence, in two episodes of Boy Meets World in 1995. His other sitcom guest appearances included California Dreams and The King of Queens. He guest starred as Chris in two episodes of 7th Heaven in 1998 and 2001.
Emmy-winning actor Rip Torn starred as Artie in The Larry Sanders Show. He died on July 9, 2019, at his home in Lakeville, Connecticut. Mr. Torn was 88.
Torn starred as Artie in the 1992-1998 HBO sitcom The Larry Sanders Show. Artie (Arthur) was the producer of the fictional talk show The Larry Sanders Show. Torn was nominated for six consecutive Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the role, winning in 1996. He received two American Comedy Awards nominations for Funniest Male Performance in a Series, winning once in 1994, and two CableACE Awards for his work on the series. The series also starred Garry Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor, Penny Johnson, Janeane Garofalo (first five seasons), Mary Lynn Rajskub (final two seasons), Jeremy Piven (season one and part of season two), Wallace Langham, Linda Doucett (first three seasons), Scott Thompson (final three seasons), Megan Gallagher (first season and Jeannie's Visit) and Kathryn Harrold (second season).
He appeared as Lionel Banks, a rich bachelor and love interest of Karen Walker (Megan Mullally), in four episodes of the NBC sitcom Will & Grace in 2002. He had a recurring role as Don Geiss, the CEO of GE and Jack Donaghy's (Alec Baldwin) boss and mentor, in seven episodes of the NBC sitcom 30 Rock from 2007 to 2009. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for the role in 2008.
Torn was the narrator for The Family Channel horror anthology series Ghost Stories from 1997 to 1998. He appeared in four episodes as Senator Harlan M. Turner, Jack Turner's (Rob Lowe) powerful father, in the short-lived 2003 NBC legal drama The Lyon's Den.
Some of his television drama guest appearances included Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Naked City, Dr. Kildare, The Lieutenant, Combat!, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Mannix, Rawhide, Bonanza, The Eddie Capra Mysteries, Columbo (1991) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. He received an Emmy nomination in 1996 for his role as Dr. Warren Shutt in the Chicago Hope episode titled Hello Goodbye.
He was also known for his work in many films. Some of his film credits in the 1960s included Sweet Bird of Earth, Hero's Island, Critic's Choice, You're a Big Boy Now, Beach Red, Coming Apart and Tropic of Cancer. In the 1970s, he starred in Maidstone, Slaughter, Payday, The Man Who Fell to Earth, Coma, The Seduction of of Joe Tynan and Heartland.
Torn received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Marsh Turner in 1983's Cross Creek. He starred as Maax in 1982's The Beastmaster and as Bud Kruger in 1982's Airplane II: The Sequel. Some of his other 1980s and later film credits included Misunderstood, Flashpoint, City Heat, Summer Rental, Extreme Prejudice, Nadine, Defending Your Life, RoboCop 3, Men in Black, Men in Black II, Freddy Got Fingered and DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story.
Suzanne Whang (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Suzanne Whang starred in the Here TV sitcom From Here on OUT. She died on September 17, 2019, in her Los Angeles home, after a 13-year battle with cancer. Ms. Whang was 56.
Whang starred as Divina the maid / wannabe actress in the 2014 Here TV sitcom From Here on OUT. The series also starred Terry Ray, T.J. Hoban, Juliet Mills, Austin Robert Miller, Adrian Gonzalez and Michael Lanham.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Norm, Still Standing, Two and a Half Men, Arrested Development, Anger Management, About a Boy, The McCarthys, Angel from Hell and The Mick.
She was best known for having been the host of the HGTV series House Hunters for nine years. She had a recurring role as manicurist Polly in Las Vegas for four seasons.
Songwriter Allee Willis wrote the Friends theme song. She died in Los Angeles on December 24, 2019, from cardiac arrest. Ms. Willis was 72.
Willis was one of the writers of "I'll Be There for You," which was performed by The Rembrandts and used as the Friends theme song. She received an Emmy nomination for her work in 1995.
She won two Grammy Awards for Beverly Hills Cop and The Color Purple, the latter of which was also nominated for a Tony Award. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.
John Witherspoon (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor and comedian John Witherspoon starred in The Wayans Bros. and The Tracy Morgan Show. He died of a heart attack at his home in Sherman Oaks, California on October 29, 2019. Mr. Witherspoon was 77.
Witherspoon starred as John "Pops" Williams, Shawn and Marlon's dysfunctional tacky father who owns his locally famed diner right by Shawn and Marlon's newsstand, in the 1995-1999 The WB sitcom The Wayans Bros.. The series also starred Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Anna Maria Horsford, Lela Rochon, Paula Jai Parker and Jill Tasker.
He starred as Spoon in the 2003-2004 NBC sitcom The Tracy Morgan Show. The series starred Tracy Morgan, Tamala Jones, Marc John Jefferies and Bobb'e J. Thompson.
Witherspoon had a recurring role as Grandpa Alvin in The First Family from 2012 to 2015. He was the voice of Robert "Granddad" Freeman in The Boondocks from 2005 to 2014.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included What's Happening!!, Good Times, WKRP in Cincinnati, You Again?, 227, What's Happening Now!!, Martin, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Living Single, Anger Management and black-ish.
Actor Max Wright was best known for his role as Willie Tanner in ALF. He died on June 26, 2019, from lymphoma at the Lillian Booth Actors Home in Englewood, New Jersey. Mr. Wright was 75.
Wright's first sitcom starring role was as Karl Shub in the 1983-1984 NBC sitcom Buffalo Bill. Karl Shub was the nervous station manager at WBFL, a small TV station in Buffalo, New York. It also starred Dabney Coleman, Joanna Cassidy, John Fielder, Geena Davis, Charles Robinson, Meschach Taylor and Claude Earl Jones. The series received 11 Emmy Award nominations, including two for Outstanding Comedy Series.
He starred as Willie Tanner in the 1986-1990 NBC sitcom ALF. Willie Tanner was a social worker. He was the husband of Kate and father of Lynn and Brian. The series also starred Paul Fusco (as the voice of ALF), Anne Schedeen, Andrea Elson and Benji Gregory. Recurring cast members included Liz Sheridan, John LaMotta, Josh Blake (seasons 2-3), and JM J. Bullock (season 4). It ran for four seasons and 99 episodes (102 syndicated episodes).
Wright appeared as Paul in the short-lived 1993 CBS sitcom Dudley. Paul was Dudley's (Dudley Moore) business manager and best friend. The series also starred Joanna Cassidy, Harley Cross, Joel Brooks and Lupe Ontiveros.
He starred as Max Denby in the 1999-2001 ABC sitcom Norm (originally called The Norm Show). Max Denby was Norm Henderson's (Norm Macdonald) second boss at the office. The series also starred Laurie Metcalf, Ian Gomez, Amy Wilson (season 1), Bruce Jarchow (season 1), Faith Ford, Artie Lange (seasons 2-3) and Nikki Cox.
Wright appeared in two episodes of Friends in 1994 and 1995 as Terry, the manager of Central Perk. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included WKRP in Cincinnati, Open All Night, Taxi, AfterMASH, E/R (1984), Benson, Cheers, Who's the Boss?, The Powers That Be, Murphy Brown, Roc, Monty, The John Larroquette Show, Mad About You, The Drew Carey Show and A Minute with Stan Hooper.
He starred as Dick Stetmeyer in the short-lived 1985-1986 NBC superhero fantasy series Misfits of Science. Dick Stetmeyer was the uptight director of the Humanidyne Institute. The series also starred Dean Paul Martin, Kevin Peter Hall, Mark Thomas Miller, Courteney Cox, Jennifer Holmes, Diane Civita and Mickey Jones.
Some of his drama guest appearances included Hart to Hart, Code Red, Tales from the Darkside, Code Name: Foxfire, You Are the Jury, Faerie Tale Theatre, Murder, She Wrote, Ghostwriter, Quantum Leap, Early Edition and High Incident. He appeared as Dr. Herbert Denninger in the 1994 ABC mini-series The Stand.
His film credits included All That Jazz, Reds, The Sting II, Fraternity Vacation, The Shadow, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Easter.
He was also known for his stage career in theater and acted at regional theaters around the United States. He received a Tony nomination in 1998 for his role on Broadway's Ivanov. Some of his other theater credits included The Great White Hope, The Twelfth Night, No Man's Land, Winters Tale and Merchants of Venice.
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Monday, December 30
The Neighborhood - "Welcome to the Great Beyond" (CBS, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
The Butlers and Johnsons receive shocking news about their neighbor that changes their outlook on life.
Poppa's House - "Podcast" (CBS, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Junior enlists Nina’s help to film a documentary of Poppa’s iconic career, but the direction of the film takes a detour when the radio station begins using AI promos with Poppa’s and Ivy’s voices.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of December 30)
Monday, December 30
- Billy Eichner (Friends from College/Difficult People/Parks and Recreation) - Watch Billy on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Dick Van Dyke (The Dick Van Dyke Show/The New Dick Van Dyke Show/The Van Dyke Show) - Dick is a guest on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Jerry Seinfeld (Seinfeld) - Jerry appears on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
- Kerry Washington (UnPrisoned) - Kerry chats with the ladies of The View on a repeat on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT. She talks about starring in Tyler Perry's new film The Six Triple Eight on a repeat of Sherri, so check your local listings.
- Eve (Eve) - Eve is a guest on ABC's GMA 3: What You Need to Know at 1pm.
- Valerie Bertinelli (Hot in Cleveland/One Day at a Time) and Pamela Anderson (Stacked/Home Improvement) - Drew and Valerie Bertinelli are going makeup free for the whole episode in honor of the amazing Pamela Anderson joining them and embracing bare beauty. Plus, Pamela is making a mouthwatering recipe from her brand-new cookbook on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
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)
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