Monday, March 07, 2022

Remembering Tim Considine of My Three Sons, Johnny Brown of Good Times and Mitchell Ryan of Dharma & Greg

Tim Considine

Actor Tim Considine, who starred as Mike Douglas on My Three Sons, has died. He died at his home in Mar Vista, California on March 3. Mr. Considine was 81.

Spin and Marty - David Stollery and Tim Considine

Considine's first television starring role was as Spin Evans on The Adventures of Spin and Marty in 1955. Spin and Marty was a series of television shorts that aired as part of The Mickey Mouse Club show on ABC from 1955 to 1957. The first series of 25 eleven-minute episodes, The Adventures of Spin and Marty, was filmed in 1955. The serialized Disney television adaptation of the novel starred David Stollery as the rich, orphaned Martin "Marty" Markham and Considine as the poorer Spin Evans, the most athletic and popular boy at the Triple R Ranch. The sequels The Further Adventures of Spin and Marty aired in 1956 and The New Adventures of Spin and Marty in 1957.

The Hardy Boys

Considine and Tommy Kirk starred as Frank and Joe Hardy on The Hardy Boys: The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure, which was aired on The Mickey Mouse Club on ABC in 1956 during the show's second season. A second serial, The Mystery of Ghost Farm, followed in 1957. Considine starred as Steven Abernathy on Walt Disney Presents: Annette, which was a serial that starred Annette Funicello that ran on The Mickey Mouse Club on ABC in 1958 during the show's third season.

My Three Sons

He starred as Mike Douglas on the first five seasons of My Three Sons, which aired on ABC from 1960 to 1965 before moving to CBS for seasons six to twelve. My Three Sons chronicles the life of widower and aeronautical engineer Steven Douglas (Fred MacMurray) as he raises his three sons. Mike Douglas is the eldest son who later marries his fiancée Sally Ann Morrison (Meredith MacRae). Considine left the series when it moved to CBS because he wanted to direct but not co-star in the series. He wrote two episodes in 1963 and 1964 and directed one of the last black-and-white episodes in 1965. The cast included William Frawley (1960-1965), William Demarest (1965-1972), Don Grady (1960-1971), Stanley Livingston, Barry Livingston (1963-1972), Tina Cole (1967-1972), Beverly Garland (1969-1972), Dawn Lyn (1969-1972) and Ronnie Troup (1970-1972).

Considine starred as Young Gabe Marion in The Swamp Fox in 1959, which aired as part of Walt Disney Presents. Some of his other television guest appearances included I'm the Law, The Ford Television Theatre, Your Jeweler's Showcase, Chevron Theatre, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, The Great Gildersleeve, Treasury Men in Action, Zane Grey Theatre, Cheyenne, Johnny Ringo, The Untouchables, Bonanza, The Fugitive, Medical Center, Ironside, Gunsmoke, The Smith Family, Simon & Simon and Legend.

He starred as Dink with Red Skelton in The Clown (1953). He starred as Buzz Miller with Fred MacMurray in the Disney film The Shaggy Dog (1959). In 1970, he portrayed the shell-shocked soldier slapped by General George S. Patton, Jr. (George C. Scott) in Patton.

Survivors include his wife, Willette, whom he married in 1979; his son, Christopher; his brother, John; his sister, Erin; and his grandchildren, Ethan and Tyler. He was married to actress Charlotte Stewart (teacher Miss Beadle on Little House on the Prairie) from 1965 until their 1969 divorce.

Tim Considine

Mr. Considine was a Disney legend. He was later an automobile historian, photographer, and writer who specialized in motor sports. We thank him for his work on My Three Sons and his many other television and film roles. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our My Three Sons message board. View photos in our galleries.

Johnny Brown

Actor and singer Johnny Brown, who starred as building superintendent Nathan Bookman on Good Times, has died. He died in Los Angeles on March 2. He collapsed shortly after leaving a doctor's appointment for his pacemaker and was pronounced dead when brought to the hospital. Mr. Brown was 84.

Johnny Brown

Brown was a regular performer on NBC's Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In from 1970 to 1972. He lent his impersonations of Ed Sullivan, Alfred Hitchcock, Ralph Kramden and the Kingfish from Amos 'n' Andy.

Good Times

He starred as building superintendent Nathan Bookman on the CBS sitcom Good Times from 1975 to 1979. Brown was a recurring cast member during seasons two to four before he became a series regular and was included in the opening credits in the fifth season. He appeared in a total of 58 episodes. James, Willona and later J.J. refer to him as "Buffalo Butt" or, even more derisively, "Booger." The cast included Esther Rolle (1974-1977, 1978-1979), John Amos (1974-1976), Jimmie Walker, Ja'Net DuBois, Ralph Carter, BernNadette Stanis, Janet Jackson (1977-1979) and Ben Powers (1978-1979).

Brown was considered for the role of Lamont on Sanford and Son, but he was unavailable to do so because of his prior commitment to Laugh-In. Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Julia, Love, American Style (2 episodes), Maude, Lotsa Luck!, The Ghost Busters (1975), Chico and the Man, Gimme a Break!, Archie Bunker's Place, The Jeffersons, Punky Brewster, 227, Out All Night, Martin, Family Matters, On Our Own, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Sister, Sister (2 episodes), The Jamie Foxx Show, The Wayans Bros. (2 episodes - 1 as Bookman), Cousin Skeeter, The Parent 'Hood (2 episodes), Kenan & Kel (2 episodes), The Parkers, Baby Bob and Everybody Hates Chris.

His drama guest appearances included Night Gallery, The Rookies, Fantasy Island, Moonlighting and Touched by an Angel. He provided the voice of Splashdown on Rickety Rocket, which aired as a segment on The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show on ABC from 1979 to 1980. He appeared in the 1970 film The Out-of-Towners as a waiter on a railroad dining car.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, June; his daughter, actress Sharon Catherine Brown; and his son, John Jr.

Johnny Brown

Mr. Brown was a talented actor and singer. He was very funny and memorable as Bookman. We thank him for the laughs and entertainment he brought us on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, Good Times and his many other television roles. He will be sorely missed.

Share your memories on our Good Times message board. View photos in our galleries.

Mitchell Ryan

Actor Mitchell Ryan, who starred as Edward Montgomery on Dharma & Greg, has died. He died of heart failure at his home in Los Angeles on March 4. Mr. Ryan was 88.

Mitchell Ryan - Dark Shadows

Ryan starred as Burke Devlin on the ABC gothic soap opera Dark Shadows from 1966 to 1967. He starred as Capt. Chase Reddick on the 1973-1974 NBC police drama Chase. He portrayed Cooper Hawkins on the CBS western The Chisholms in 1980. He starred as Don Walling on the 1976-1977 drama Executive Suite. From 1978 to 1979, he starred as Dr. Blake Simmons on the short-lived 1978-1979 ABC medical drama Having Babies. He starred as Brennan Flannery on the short-lived 1983 ABC adventure series High Performance. In 1992, he played Porter Tremont on the CBS drama 2000 Malibu Road.

Dharma & Greg

He starred as Edward Montgomery on the 1997-2002 ABC sitcom Dharma & Greg. Edward Montgomery is Greg Montgomery's (Thomas Gibson) eccentric father. He is married to Kitty Montgomery (Susan Sullivan), Greg's extravagant mother. The series also starred Jenna Elfman, Alan Rachins, Mimi Kennedy, Joel Murray and Shae D'lyn (1997-2001).

Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Who's the Boss?, The Golden Girls, The Single Guy (2 episodes), Champs, Wings (3 episodes) and The Drew Carey Show.

He played the key villain General Peter McAllister in the 1987 film Lethal Weapon, which starred Mel Gibson and Danny Glover.

Mr. Ryan was a talented and versatile actor. He had over 130 television and film credits. We thank him for his work on Dharma & Greg and his many other roles. He will be greatly missed.

Share your memories on our Dharma & Greg message board. View photos in our galleries.


Sitcoms Airing Tonight

Friday, September 29

The Villains of Valley View - "The Haunted Jukebox" (Disney Channel, 9:00PM ET/PT)
When a haunted jukebox sends Amy and Hartley to an alternate dimension of Valley View, they must figure out how to get home before they are trapped in Monster Town forever.

Bunk'd: Learning the Ropes - "The Glitching Hour" (Disney Channel, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Noah and Megan watch a strange VHS tape that leads them to believe Jake isn't really who he seems; Lou thinks her life is a television show, and Bill and Winnie are just actors.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 25)

Friday, September 29

  • Amy Poehler (Duncanville/Parks and Recreation) - Watch Amy on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Lea Michele (The Mayor) - Lea is a guest on a repeat of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon at 11:35pm on NBC.
  • Nathan Lane (Only Murders in the Building/Modern Family/Charlie Lawrence/Encore! Encore!/One of the Boys) - Nathan appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Margaret Cho (All-American Girl) and Maria Bamford (Lady Dynamite) - Margaret and Maria are guests on repeats of Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen on CBS between 12:37-1:37am.
  • Patton Oswalt (A.P. Bio/The Goldbergs/The King of Queens) - Patton will be on CBS Mornings sometime between 7-9am.


New on DVD/Blu-ray (June-October)

Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series Family Matters - The Complete Series Step by Step - The Complete Series ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition)

06/13 - Mayberry R.F.D. - The Complete Series
06/13 - Night Court (1984-1992) - The Complete Series
07/18 - South Park - Seasons 21-25 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
07/25 - The Neighborhood - Season Five
07/25 - Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin - Season One
07/25 - Superstore - The Complete Series
08/22 - Back to Life - Season 1 / Season 2
08/29 - Smiling Friends - Season 1 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/05 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Sixth Season
09/12 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Second Season
09/12 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-6 (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/26 - Family Matters - The Complete Series
09/26 - Step by Step - The Complete Series
10/10 - The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet - The Complete Season Thirteen / The Complete Season Fourteen
10/17 - ALF - The Complete Series (Deluxe Edition) (Shout! Factory Special Offers)
10/17 - Night Court (2023) - The Complete First Season
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD Releases / DVD Reviews Archive / SitcomsOnline Digest


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

09/29 - Lifetime Announces New Thrillers; Big Mouth Season 7 Trailer
09/28 - New Season of Wolf Like Me on Peacock; Max Original Animated Series Debuts October 19
09/27 - Moonlighting Coming to Hulu; Showtime Announces Date for The Curse
09/26 - Rick and Morty Season 7 Trailer; Fox's Krapopolis Debuts Well
09/25 - Laff Fall 2023 Schedule with Last Man Standing and Man with a Plan; Upload Returns October 20
09/24 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 25, 2023)
09/23 - SitcomsOnline Digest: An End on the Horizon for WGA Strike?; Hallmark Ready for Christmas
09/22 - The Santa Clauses Season 2 Launches November 8; CBS Alters Fall Schedule
09/21 - Penn & Teller: Fool Us Gets New Return Date; Netflix's Unicorn Academy Premieres November 2
09/20 - Paramount+ Announces Colin from Accounts; The Really Loud House Gets Halloween Movie
09/19 - The Simpsons Season 34 Streams October 11 on Disney+; Good Burger 2 Set for Holiday Season
09/18 - Hulu's Huluween and Disney+'s Hallowstream Line-Up; Shining Vale Returns October 13 on STARZ
09/17 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 18, 2023)
09/16 - SitcomsOnline Digest: ABC Cancels Wonder Years Reboot; Byron Allen Makes $10 Billion Offer to Buy ABC
09/15 - Antenna TV's Bewitched Halloween Marathon; Rewind TV's Sabrina the Teenage Witch-O-Ween Marathon
09/14 - Dancing with the Stars Season 32 Cast; BUZZR Celebrates 40 Years of Press Your Luck
09/13 - TBS Acquires Modern Family; The Frasier Awards on COZI TV
09/12 - Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen Gets CBS Late Night Run; Unsolved Mysteries: Behind the Legacy Special
09/11 - Matt Rife Gets Netflix Special; Star Trek Day and Kid Cudi Join Forces
09/10 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 11, 2023)
09/09 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Warner Bros. Television Suspends Deals with Top Creators; Fran Drescher Re-Elected President of SAG-AFTRA
09/08 - CBS Announces Hosts of Game Show; New Goosebumps Premieres Friday the 13th This October on Disney+ and Hulu
09/07 - MeTV Presents Svengoolie's Halloween BOOnanza!; The CW Moving Fall Comedies to Thursdays
09/06 - CBS to Air NCIS: Sydney This Fall; Fox Makes Fall Change
09/05 - TBS and TNT September Stunts Include Big Bang Theory Batman Day Marathon; Netflix UK Produced Series Updates
09/04 - TV Marathons on Labor Day 2023 Include Three's Company
09/03 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 4, 2023)
09/02 - SitcomsOnline Digest: No Third Season for How I Met Your Father; Spectrum Dispute with Disney Could Spell End of Cable
09/01 - September Is Anniversary Month on Hulu; Freeform's 31 Nights of Halloween Returns for Its 25th Anniversary
08/31 - Max's Original Comedy Series Starstruck Season 3 and Our Flag Means Death Season 2 Premiere Dates; AXS TV Announces Fall Programming Lineup
08/30 - The Partridge Family Coming to AXS TV Starting Oct. 2; CBS to Air A Tribute to Bob Barker Special Aug. 31, Marathon of Match Game Episodes to Air Sept. 2 on Game Show Network
08/29 - Once Upon a Time Coming to Hulu; Young Love Launches on Max in September