Saturday, December 31, 2022
SitcomsOnline Digest: Late Night Talk Prepares for Big Changes in 2023; The X Factor Potentially Returning to the US
Welcome to SitcomsOnline Digest! It's the last day of 2022, but as we prepare to go into 2023, we have some news for you, including looking ahead at what could be an interesting year for late night talk, the return of a reality competition series, and more. Let's get going!
HIGHLIGHTS FROM SITCOMSONLINE.COM AND AROUND THE WEB
- Late night talk shows will be going through some big changes in 2023, and it's not clear where things will end. (Deadline)
- The X Factor may be returning to the US, but on NBC instead of Fox this time. (TVLine)
- Barbara Walters has died at age 93. (CNN)
- Although Hallmark is likely still the dominant one in the battle right now, a real schism is developing between Great American Family (we think that's what they're called now, at least, as they've changed their name more than once this year) and Hallmark for the battle of Christmas movies. (Deadline)
- Desilu Studios hasn't been a real thing in over 50 years, but that didn't stop a man in California from scamming investors into investing in a fake shell company with that same name. (Deadline)
- We lost several celebrities in 2022, and here is our recap. (SitcomsOnline)
WEEKLY PLANNER (DECEMBER 31 - JANUARY 6)
- TruTV is having a marathon of Step by Step this weekend.
- ALF joins the Laff lineup starting Monday.
- It's hard to list them all here (because it's pretty much all of them), but many of the broadcast network series return with new episodes next week.
- It wouldn't be a new year without a Twilight Zone marathon, and you have your choice of two: one on Syfy and the other on Decades.
Friday, December 30, 2022
In Memoriam: Remembering the Sitcom Stars We Lost in 2022
Today we remember the sitcom actors, actresses, producers, directors, writers, and other crew members who died in 2022.
We lost stars from ALF, Call Me Kat, Cheers, Dharma & Greg, A Different World, F Troop, Full House, Good Times, Head of the Class, Hearts Afire, Here Come the Brides, Hogan's Heroes, It's a Living, Leave it to Beaver, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Mork & Mindy, My Three Sons, Please Don't Eat the Daisies, Seinfeld, Soap, WKRP in Cincinnati, Will & Grace, Wings, 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.
Emmy-winning actress Mary Alice was known for her role as Leticia "Lettie" Bostic on A Different World. She died on July 27, 2022, at her residence in Manhattan due to natural causes. Ms. Alice was 85.
Alice starred as Leticia "Lettie" Bostic for the first two seasons of the NBC sitcom A Different World from 1987 to 1989.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Sanford and Son (2 episodes), Good Times and Cosby (4 episodes).
She won an Emmy Award in 1993 for Outstanding Supporting Actress for her recurring role as Marguerite Peck on the series I'll Fly Away.
Kirstie Alley (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Emmy-winning actress Kirstie Alley starred as Rebecca Howe on Cheers and as Veronica "Ronnie" Chase on Veronica's Closet. She died from colon cancer at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, on December 5, 2022. Ms. Alley was 71.
Alley's first appearance was an uncredited role as Princess Carna's (Barbara Rhoades) second handmaiden in a 1978 episode of the science fiction sitcom Quark. She appeared as a contestant in three episodes of Match Game in 1979 and one episode of Password Plus in 1980. In 1983, she guest starred as Marion Stevens in an episode The Love Boat. She starred as Casey Collins 1983-1984 ABC espionage series Masquerade. In 1985, she starred as Virgilia Hazard in the ABC miniseries North and South.
She starred as Rebecca Howe on the NBC sitcom Cheers from 1987 to 1993. She joined the series in the sixth season (1987-1988) after Shelley Long (Diane Chambers) left after the fifth season (1986-1987). Rebecca Howe is the manager of the bar for the corporation that bought Cheers from Sam after his on-off relationship with Diane ended. After receiving two Emmy nominations for her work in 1988 and 1990, she won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1991. She won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical in 1991. She guest starred as Rebecca Howe in a 1993 episode of Wings. The Cheers cast from seasons 6-11 included Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman, George Wendt, John Ratzenberger, Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson and Bebe Neuwirth.
Alley starred as Veronica "Ronnie" Chase on the 1997-2000 NBC sitcom Veronica's Closet. She also served as an executive producer for the series, which was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman. Veronica "Ronnie" Chase is the owner of Veronica's Closet, a company that sells lingerie and other bedroom accessories. Alley received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 1998. The series, which aired for three seasons and 66 episodes, also starred Kathy Najimy, Wallace Langham, Dan Cortese, Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Cynthia Mann (season 1), Robert Prosky (season 1), Ron Silver (season 2) and Lorri Bagley (season 3).
She played a fictionalized version of herself in the short-lived 2005 Showtime comedy Fat Actress. The series was created by Alley and Brenda Hampton. Alley also worked as an executive producer and writer. The cast included Rachael Harris, Bryan Callen, Michael McDonald (recurring) and Kelly Preston (recurring).
Alley starred as Madison "Maddie" Banks on the 2013-2014 TV Land sitcom Kirstie. Kirstie tells the story of Tony Award-winning actress Madison "Maddie" Banks as she navigates through life after Arlo (Eric Petersen), the son whom she gave up at birth, reappears. Alley served as one of the executive producers. She appeared as Maddie Banks in two crossover episodes with Hot in Cleveland in 2013 and 2014. Kirstie's cast included her Cheers co-star Rhea Perlman as Thelma Katz, Maddie's personal secretary, and Seinfeld's Michael Richards as Frank Baxter, Maddie's driver.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Flesh 'n' Blood, Ink, Dharma & Greg (uncredited), The King of Queens, The Middle, Flaked and The Goldbergs. She received an Emmy nomination in 1997 for her role as Rose Marie Clericuzio in the crime drama series The Last Don. She starred as Nurse Ingrid Hoffel in the second season of the Fox horror comedy Scream Queens.
Alley appeared on and executive produced the 2010 A&E reality series Kirstie's Big Life. The series chronicles her life as she works to lose weight, launch a weight loss program and be a single mother. She was a contestant on the 12th season of Dancing with the Stars (2011–2012), finishing in second place. In 2018, she was a contestant on the 22nd series of the British reality show Celebrity Big Brother, in which she finished as runner-up. In 2022, she appeared as "Baby Mammoth" of Team Cuddly on The Masked Singer.
She won her second Emmy Award in 1994 for her role as Sally Goodson in the the 1994 CBS television film David's Mother. Some of her other television film credits included A Bunny's Tale (1985), Prince of Bel Air (1986), Infidelity (1987), Suddenly (1996), Toothless (1997), Salem Witch Trials (2003), While I Was Gone (2004), Write & Wrong (2007) and Baby Sellers (2013).
Alley made her film debut in 1982 in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, playing the Vulcan Starfleet officer Lieutenant Saavik. She starred as Mollie Jensen with John Travolta in Look Who's Talking (1989), Look Who's Talking Too (1990) and Look Who's Talking Now (1993). Some of her other film credits included One More Chance (1983), Blind Date (1984), Runaway (1984), Summer School (1987), Loverboy (1989), Madhouse (1990), Sibling Rivalry (1990), Village of the Damned (1995), It Takes Two (1995), Deconstructing Harry (1997), For Richer or Poorer (1997) and Drop Dead Gorgeous (1999).
Louie Anderson (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Emmy-winning actor, game show host and stand-up comedian Louie Anderson starred as Christine Baskets on Baskets. He died on January 21, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada, of complications from large B-cell lymphoma. Mr. Anderson was 68.
Anderson created and produced the 1994-1998 Fox animated series Life with Louie. The first two episodes aired in primetime on December 18, 1994, before moving to Saturday mornings on Fox Kids in 1995. The series was based on Anderson's childhood with 10 siblings, a sweet-hearted mother and a loud, war-crazed father. He provided the voices of Little Louie and Andy Anderson, Louie's difficult, but caring father. He won two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program in 1997 and 1998.
He starred as Dr. Louie Lundgren on the short-lived 1996 CBS sitcom The Louie Show. Dr. Louie Lundgren is a psychotherapist dealing with his friends and family in Duluth, Minnesota. The series also starred Bryan Cranston, Kate Hodge, Paul Feig, Laura Innes, Nancy Becker Kennedy and Kimmy Robertson.
Anderson was the host of Family Feud from 1999 to 2002. He was a regular panelist on Funny You Should Ask from September 2018 until the show went on hiatus in 2020. He appeared on The New Hollywood Squares and Hollywood Squares. In 2013, he appeared on the ABC reality competition series Splash.
He starred as Christine Baskets on the 2016-2019 FX comedy-drama Baskets. Christine Baskets is the mother of identical twin brothers Chip Baskets and Dale Everett Baskets (Zach Galifianakis). Anderson received three consecutive nominations for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and won once in 2016 for the role.
Anderson played Lou Appleton on the Perfect Strangers unaired pilot episode. When the show was picked up, he was replaced by Mark Linn-Baker in the role of Appleton (whose first name was then changed from Lou to Larry) as the producers didn't think the chemistry between Anderson and Bronson Pinchot was quite right.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Trying Times, Grace Under Fire, Love & War, Scrubs, Half & Half, Joey, Young Sheldon, Search Party (5 episodes as Bob) and Twenties (2 episodes). His drama guest appearnces included Remington Steele, Chicago Hope, Touched by an Angel, Ally McBeal, Nash Bridges and V.I.P. (2001).
He starred as Maurice in the 1988 film Coming to America and the 2021 sequel Coming 2 America. Some of his other film credits included Quicksilver (1986), Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986), The Wrong Guys (1988), Mr. Wrong (1996), Cook Off! (2007) and Sandy Wexler (2017).
David A. Arnold (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Stand-up comedian, sitcom writer, producer, and actor David A. Arnold worked on The Rickey Smiley Show, Fuller House and That Girl Lay Lay. He died on September 7, 2022, at his home in Los Angeles due to natural causes. Mr. Arnold was 54.
Arnold's sitcom writing credits included Meet the Browns (15 episodes), House of Payne (12 episodes), The Rickey Smiley Show (14 episodes), Partners (2014) (1 episode), Zoe Ever After (1 episode), Bigger (1 episode), Fuller House (3 episodes) and Side Hustle (3 episodes)
He created the Nickelodeon comedy That Girl Lay Lay in 2021 and served as showrunner for the series. The series stars That Girl Lay Lay, Gabrielle Nevaeh Green, Tiffany Daniels, Thomas Hobson, Peyton Perrine III and Caleb Brown. He wrote two episodes. He appeared as Pastor Brown in one episode.
Arnold's other sitcom acting credits included Entourage, Meet the Browns (3 episodes as Darnelle) and Side Hustle.
Some of his other sitcom producing credits included Bigger, Fuller House and Side Hustle.
He had two Netflix stand-up comedy specials: David A. Arnold: Fat Ballerina (2020) and It Ain't For The Weak (July 2022).
Actor John Aylward was best known for playing the former DNC chairman Barry Goodwin on the NBC television series The West Wing and for playing Dr. Donald Anspaugh on the NBC television series ER. He made a number of sitcom guest appearances. He died in Seattle, Washington, on May 16, 2022. Mr. Aylward was 75.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Ink, Grace Under Fire, 3rd Rock from the Sun (2 episodes), Dharma & Greg (2002), Good Morning, Miami (2003), Cavemen, My Boys, Impastor (2 episodes) and Nobodies (5 episodes).
Actor Kirk Baily was best known for his role as Kevin "Ug" Lee on the Nickelodeon sitcom Salute Your Shorts. He died in Los Angeles from lung cancer on February 28, 2022. Mr. Baily was 59.
Baily starred as Kevin "Ug" Lee on the 1991-1992 Nickelodeon sitcom Salute Your Shorts. He served as antagonist to all the children as their dim-witted camp counselor.
His sitcom guest appearances included The Larry Sanders Show and Arli$$. He was later known for his voice acting roles in animation and video games.
Rebecca Balding (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Rebecca Balding starred as Carol David on Soap. She died on July 18, 2022, in Park City, Utah, from ovarian cancer. Ms. Balding was 73.
Balding had a recurring role as Carol David in 19 episodes of the ABC sitcom Soap from 1978 to 1980. Carol David is an attorney and mother of Jodie Dallas' (Billy Crystal) child, who leaves Jodie at the altar, then leaves their baby with her mother. The cast included Robert Mandan, Katherine Helmond, Jimmy Baio, Diana Canova (1977-1980), Jennifer Salt, Robert Guillaume (1977-1979), Sal Viscuso (1978-1979), Donnelly Rhodes (1978-1981), Arthur Peterson, Cathryn Damon, Richard Mulligan, Jay Johnson, Ted Wass and Roscoe Lee Browne (1980-1981).
She starred as Corky Crandall on the short-lived 1979 ABC sitcom Makin' It. The show was set in Passaic, New Jersey, and was about the daily life of Billy Manucci, a young man who frequented the local disco club, Inferno, at night while working at an ice cream parlor called Tasti-Queen during the day. Corky Crandall was Billy Manucci's (David Naughton) girlfriend. The theme song, sung by David Naughton, reached #5 on the Billboard Top 40 charts in 1979. The cast included Greg Antonacci, Denise Miller, Ellen Travolta, Lou Antonio, Ralph Seymour, Gary Prendergast, Wendy Hoffman, Diane Robin and Jennifer Perito.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Tony Randall Show, I'm a Big Girl Now, Gimme a Break!, Family Ties, Brothers (1985), The Robert Guillaume Show, Free Spirit, Designing Women, Home Improvement and Love Boat: The Next Wave.
Balding starred as reporter Carla Mardigian in the first three episodes of the CBS newspaper drama Lou Grant in 1977. Her character was written out for a different reporter named Billie Newman played by Linda Kelsey. She had a recurring role as Mary McBride in six episodes of the CBS western Paradise from 1989 to 1990.
She had a recurring role as Elise Rothman in 22 episodes of The WB fantasy drama Charmed from 2000 to 2006. Elise Rothman is the editor-in-chief of The Bay Mirror newspaper and the boss of Phoebe Halliwell (Alyssa Milano). Balding had earlier played Aunt Jackie in a first season episode in 1998.
Some of her television drama guest appearances included The Bionic Woman (2 episodes in 1976), Barnaby Jones, The Rockford Files, Starsky & Hutch (2 episodes), Supertrain, Insight, Cagney & Lacey, Hotel, Lottery!, Matt Houston (2 episodes), MacGruder and Loud, Trapper John, M.D. (1985), Our House, MacGyver (1987), Bodies of Evidence, University Hospital, 7th Heaven, Beverly Hills, 90210 (1997), Melrose Place (2 episodes) and ER.
Balding starred in the slasher film The Silent Scream (1979) and the monster film The Boogens (1981). Her other film credits included Kiss My Grits (1982) and Yesterday's Dream (2005). Some of her television movie credits included Deadly Game (1977), The Gathering (1977) and The Gathering, Part II (1979).
Joanna Barnes (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Joanna Barnes made a number of sitcom guest appearances. She died at her home in Sea Ranch, California, on April 29, 2022. Ms. Barnes was 87.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Jim Backus Show, The Tab Hunter Show (2 episodes), The Bob Cummings Show, Bachelor Father, The Beverly Hillbillies (2 episodes), The Farmer's Daughter, Nanny and the Professor, Love, American Style (1973), The Betty White Show, The Last Resort, Benson and Cheers.
Marilyn Bergman (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Hall of Fame songwriter Marilyn Bergman wrote the theme song lyrics for Maude, Good Times and Alice with her husband Alan Bergman. She died from respiratory failure on January 8, 2022. Ms. Bergman was 93.
Marilyn and Alan Bergman wrote the theme song lyrics for the 1972 CBS sitcom The Sandy Duncan Show, with Dave Grusin providing the music. They wrote the theme song lyrics for "And Then There's Maude" for the 1972-1978 CBS sitcom Maude, with Dave Grusin providing the music. It was performed by Donny Hathaway. They wrote the gospel-style theme song lyrics for the 1974-1979 CBS sitcom Good Times, with Dave Grusin providing the music. It was sung by Jim Gilstrap and Motown singer Blinky Williams with a gospel choir providing background vocals. They wrote the theme song lyrics for "There's a New Girl in Town" for the 1976-1985 CBS sitcom Alice, with David Shire providing the music. It was performed by Linda Lavin.
The Bergmans were honored with three Academy Awards (1969, 1974, 1984), three Emmy Awards, the Grammy Award for Song of the Year, and were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Their notable compositions included "The Way We Were", "The Windmills of Your Mind" and "You Don't Bring Me Flowers."
Actor David Birney starred as Bernie Steinberg on Bridget Loves Bernie. He died from complications of Alzheimer's disease on April 27, 2022, at his home in Santa Monica, California, four days after his 83rd birthday.
Birney starred as Bernie Steinberg on the 1972-1973 CBS sitcom Bridget Loves Bernie. The series depicts an interfaith marriage between an Irish Catholic teacher (Bridget Fitzgerald played by Meredith Baxter) from a wealthy family and a Jewish cab driver who aspires to be a playwright (Bernie Steinberg), whom she had met at a bus stop. It was based loosely on the premise of the 1920s Broadway play and 1940s radio show Abie's Irish Rose. CBS canceled the show after only one season and 24 episodes, despite high ratings. It aired on Saturday nights between All in the Family and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. It finished #5 in the ratings among all shows for the 1972-73 television season and obtained a 24.2 rating, tying The NBC Sunday Mystery Movie. CBS executives canceled the show in response to negative reactions to the characters' marriage. Birney and Baxter married in real life in 1974. The cast included Harold J. Stone, Bibi Osterwald, Audra Lindley, David Doyle, Ned Glass, Robert Sampson, William Elliott and Ivor Barry.
He starred as Frank Serpico, an unorthodox NYPD detective who battles corrupt members of the police force, on the 1976-1977 NBC police drama Serpico. He portrayed Dr. Ben Samuels on the first season of the NBC medical drama St. Elsewhere from 1982 until 1983. He played Sam Dillon, a star reporter at the fictional Glitter magazine, on the 1984-1985 ABC drama Glitter. In 1995, he starred as Harry Chandler Moore ("The Beacon of Truth"), the vain, pompous senior news anchor at KXZX, on the drama Live Shot, which aired on UPN from 1995 to 1996.
He guest starred on four episodes of The Love Boat from 1978 to 1982 and one episode of Love Boat: The Next Wave in 1998.
Some of his television drama guest appearances included The Edge of Night, A World Apart, The F.B.I., Circle of Fear, McMillan & Wife, Police Woman, Bronk, Cannon (2 episodes), Medical Center (2 episodes), The Streets of San Francisco, Police Story (2 episodes), Tales of the Unexpected, Hawaii Five-0 (3 episodes), Fantasy Island, Family, The Twilight Zone (1986), Matlock, Murder, She Wrote (4 episodes), Burke's Law, Sliders, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Poltergeist: The Legacy and Without a Trace.
Birney was a classically trained theatre actor who found success on the stage, including on Broadway. He began his career at the prestigious Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, after winning the Barter Theatre Award in 1965. His New York debut was with Joe Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival as Antipholus of Syracuse in William Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors. In 1968, he played the lead in Summertree at New York's Lincoln Centre, winning the Clarence Derwent Award and the Theatre World Award.
Taurean Blacque (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Taurean Blacque was best known for his role as Detective Neal Washington on the series Hill Street Blues. He died on July 21, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia, following a brief illness. Mr. Blacque was 82.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included What's Happening!!, Sanford and Son, The Tony Randall Show, The Bob Newhart Show, Good Times (2 episodes), House Calls, Taxi, The Love Boat, True Colors and Dream On.
He starred as Det. Michael Wheeler on the 1996-1997 The WB prime time soap opera Savannah.
Model and actress June Blair played June on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. She died in Sherman Oaks, California, on December 4, 2022. Ms. Blair was 90.
Blair appeared as June (Mrs. David) Nelson in 28 episodes of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet from 1960 to 1966. She was married to David Nelson from 1961 until they divorced in 1975.
She appeared on Our Miss Brooks in 1956 and on Bachelor Father in 1957. She was best known for being Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month for its January 1957 issue.
Actress, professional wrestler and roller derby skater Dee Booher made sitcom guest appearances. She was known for her appearances with Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling as Matilda the Hun. She died on January 7, 2022. Ms. Booher was 73.
She made sitcom guest appearances on Mama's Family, Night Court, Amen, My Two Dads, Dream On, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, The Nutt House and Married with Children.
Actor and singer Johnny Brown starred as building superintendent Nathan Bookman on Good Times. He died in Los Angeles on March 2, 2022. 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.
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.
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.
Actor Gary Bullock made guest appearances in several sitcoms. He died on April 11, 2022. Mr. Bullock was 80.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances include Roseanne, Weird Science, The Jeff Foxworthy Show (2 episodes), Men Behaving Badly (2 episodes), Teen Angel (2 episodes) and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (2 episodes).
Actor Robert Brown starred as Jason Bolt on Here Come the Brides. He died on September 19, 2022, in Ojai, California. Mr. Brown was 95.
Brown starred as Jason Bolt on the 1968-1970 ABC comedy western Here Come the Brides. The series was loosely based on Asa Mercer's efforts in the 1860s to import marriageable women (the Mercer Girls) from the East Coast cities of the United States to Seattle, where there was a shortage. The cast included Bobby Sherman, David Soul, Joan Blondell, Bridget Hanley, Mark Lenard, Bo Svensen, Susan Tolsky, Henry Beckman, Mitzi Hoag, Hoke Howell, Eric Chase (1969-1970) and Patti Cohoon (1969-1970).
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Bewitched, The New Dick Van Dyke Show and Archie Bunker's Place. He was a close friend of Carroll O'Connor. He also appeared in an episode of In the Heat of the Night in 1994.
He starred as Carter Primus on the 1971-1972 syndicated adventure series Primus. The series, which was created and produced by Ivan Tors, also starred Will Kuluva and Eva Renzi.
Some of his other television guest appearances included Wagon Train, The Lawless Years (2 episodes), Bonanza, Perry Mason (3 episodes), 12 O'Clock High, Shane, Star Trek, Run for Your Life, Columbo, Police Story (2 episodes) and Fantasy Island.
His only feature film credits were the science fiction film The Flame Barrier (1958) and the horror film Tower of London (1962).
Joyce Burditt (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Joyce Burditt was a television writer and programming executive for comedy at ABC, serving as a liaison between the network and sitcom productions including Barney Miller and Soap. She died in Los Angeles on June 2, 2022. Ms. Burditt was 83.
She wrote a 1978 episode of Three's Company. Some of her other writing credits included Matlock and Father Dowling Mysteries. She created Diagnosis: Murder.
Actor James Caan was known for his roles in films such as The Godfather, Thief and Misery. He starred on the 2013 ABC sitcom Back in the Game. He died at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles from a heart attack caused by coronary artery disease on July 6, 2022. Mr. Caan was 82.
Caan played Rupert of Rathskeller in the Get Smart episodes "To Sire, with Love: Parts 1 and 2" in 1969. Some of his other early television guest appearances included Naked City, Route 66, The Untouchables, The Doctors and the Nurses, Dr. Kildare, Ben Casey, Death Valley Days (2 episodes), Combat!, Channing, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Wagon Train and The F.B.I. (1969).
Caan's first television starring role was as Ed Deline on the 2003-2008 NBC comedy-drama Las Vegas. The series originally centered on Ed Deline, a strict ex-CIA officer who serves as the president of operations for the Montecito, a fictional hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Caan and his character depart the series in season five, when Ed becomes a wanted man for killing Mary Connell's (Nikki Cox) father. He was replaced by Tom Selleck as A.J. Cooper.
He starred as Terry "The Cannon" Gannon on the 2013 ABC sitcom Back in the Game. The series is about a newly divorced single mother (Maggie Lawson) who has to move back home to live with her ex-minor league baseball manager father (Caan). The cast included Griffin Gluck, Ben Koldyke, Lenora Crichlow, Cooper Roth, Josie Totah (credited as J. J. Totah), Kennedy Waite, Brandon Selgado-Telis and Matthew Zhang.
Caan appeared as himself in a 1996 episode of NewsRadio. He voiced himself in a 2004 episode of The Simpsons and a 2010 episode of Family Guy.
He portrayed Chicago mob kingpin Sy Berman in five episodes of the Starz TV drama Magic City in 2013. He guest starred in a 2012 episode of Hawaii Five-0.
Caan received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie nomination for his portrayal of Brian Piccolo in the 1971 ABC television movie Brian's Song.
He received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather (1972). He reprised his role in The Godfather Part II (1974). Some of his other film credits included Cinderella Liberty (1973), The Gambler (1974), Funny Lady (1975), Rollerball (1975), A Bridge Too Far (1977), Comes a Horseman (1978), Chapter Two (1979), Thief (1981), Gardens of Stone (1987), Misery (1990), Honeymoon in Vegas (1992), Bottle Rocket (1996), Mickey Blue Eyes (1999), The Yards (2000), City of Ghosts (2002), Elf (2003) and Get Smart (2008).
Michael Callan (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Michael Callan starred as Peter Christopher on Occasional Wife. He died of pneumonia on October 10, 2022, at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. Mr. Callan was 86.
Callan starred as Peter Christopher on the 1966-1967 NBC sitcom Occasional Wife. Peter Christopher is a bachelor who enjoyed the single life, but was blocked from professional advancement by not having a wife. Christopher asked a young hat check girl, Greta Patterson (Patricia Harty), to pose as his wife at company functions. Vin Scully was the uncredited narrator. He commented on the increasingly complicated problems created by the arrangement between Peter and Greta.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Hazel, That Girl, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Funny Face (1971), Love, American Style (8 episodes), The Love Boat and E/R (1984).
Some of his other television guest appearances included Dr. Kildare, Breaking Point, 12 O'Clock High, The Felony Squad, Journey to the Unknown, The Name of the Game, Ironside, Marcus Welby, M.D. (1972), The F.B.I. (4 episodes), Griff, McMillan & Wife, Lucas Tanner, Police Story (4 episodes), Barnaby Jones, Medical Center, Medical Story, S.W.A.T. (1975), Ellery Queen, Switch, Delvecchio, The Bionic Woman, Vega$, Charlie's Angels (2 episodes), Simon & Simon, Automan, Fantasy Island (5 episodes), The Fall Guy (2 episodes), T.J. Hooker, Crazy Like a Fox, Hardcastle and McCormick (2 episodes), Knight Rider, Houston Knights, Dragnet (1990), Swamp Thing and Murder, She Wrote (4 episodes).
He starred as Eddie Horner in Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961). He played Dr. Alec Considine in The Interns (1962). In 1965, he played Clay Boone in Cat Ballou. He originated the role of Riff in West Side Story on Broadway.
Emmy-winning actress Pat Carroll starred as Bunny Halper on The Danny Thomas Show. She died of pneumonia at her home on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on July 30, 2022. Ms. Carroll was 95.
Carroll made her television debut on the CBS variety show/sitcom The Red Buttons Show in 1953. She appeared in 45 episodes of the NBC sketch comedy series Caesar's Hour from 1954 to 1957. In 1957, she won the Emmy Award for Best Supporting Performance by an Actress for playing various roles. She appeared on The Saturday Night Revue in 1954. She was a regular on the game show Keep Talking from 1958 to 1960.
She starred as Bunny Halper in 40 episodes of The Danny Thomas Show on CBS from 1961 to 1964. Bunny Halper is the wife of Charley Halper (Sid Melton), the owner of the Copa Club where Danny Williams (Danny Thomas) frequently performed. The cast from seasons 9 to 11 included Danny Thomas, Marjorie Lord, Rusty Hamer, Angela Williams and Amanda Randolph.
Carroll starred as Rita Simon on the short-lived 1971-1972 ABC sitcom Getting Together. It starred Bobby Sherman and Wes Stern as Bobby Conway and Lionel Poindexter, a songwriting duo. Jennifer Conway (Susan Neher) is Bobby's 12-year-old sister. Rita is the motherly landlady at an antique shop. Officer Rudy Colcheck (Jack Burns) is her policeman boyfriend.
She portrayed Pearl Markowitz, the mother of Lenny Markowitz (Adam Arkin), on the 1977 CBS sitcom Busting Loose. The series centers on a young man in New York City who has moved out of his parents' house to live on his own for the first time. The cast included Barbara Rhoades, Jack Kruschen, Danny Goldman, Steve Nathan, Greg Antonacci, Paul Sylvan, Paul B. Price, Ralph Wilcox and Louise Williams.
Carroll starred as Gussie Holt, the bubbly mother of Sheriff Hildy Granger (Suzanne Somers), on the 1987-1989 first-run syndicated sitcom She's the Sheriff. The cast included George Wyner, Nicky Rose, Taliesin Jaffe, Lou Richards, Guich Kooch and Leonard Lightfoot.
She starred as Hope Stinson on The Ted Knight Show in first-run syndication from 1986 to 1987. Too Close for Comfort was retitled to The Ted Knight Show for the sixth and final season. Hope is the co-owner the local weekly newspaper, the Bugler. The cast included Ted Knight, Nancy Dussault, Jim J. Bullock (as Jm J. Bullock) and Lisa Antille.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Dennis Day Show, The Mickey Rooney Show, The Ann Sothern Show, Please Don't Eat the Daisies, Arnie, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, My Three Sons, Love, American Style (2 episodes), Calucci's Department, Laverne & Shirley (as Lily Feeney, Shirley's mother), Good Heavens, C.P.O. Sharkey, The Love Boat, The New WKRP in Cincinnati, Evening Shade and Designing Women.
She appeared as Rebecca Chadwick in three episodes of ER in 2005. Some of her other drama guest appearances included Police Story, Police Woman, Flying High, Trapper John, M.D. (1985) and Crazy Like a Fox
Carroll was also known for her voice-over work. She portrayed the sea witch Ursula in Disney's The Little Mermaid (1989). Some of her television animated series credits included Galaxy High School, Foofur and Pound Puppies.
Actor Bryan Clark (sometimes credited as Bryan E. Clark) made three guest appearances as Corky Sherwood's (Faith Ford) father Ed Sherwood on Murphy Brown. He died on September 9, 2022. Mr. Clark was 93.
Some of his other sitcom guest apperances included Free Spirit, Wings, Cheers, Charles in Charge, Who's the Boss?, Harry and the Hendersons, Bob, The Nanny, Thunder Alley, Hope & Gloria, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, Grace Under Fire, Coach, Suddenly Susan, Becker and Normal, Ohio.
French-born American actor Robert Clary was best known for his role as Corporal Louis LeBeau on Hogan's Heroes. He died at his Los Angeles home on November 16, 2022. Mr. Clary was 96.
Clary starred as Corporal Louis LeBeau on the 1965-1971 CBS sitcom Hogan's Heroes. The series was set in a German prisoner of war (POW) camp during World War II, and Clary played a French POW who was a member of an Allied sabotage unit operating from inside the camp. Corporal Louis LeBeau is a gourmet chef, and patriotic Frenchman, frequently referred to as "the cockroach" by both Colonel Wilhelm Klink (Werner Klemperer) and Sergeant Hans Schultz (John Banner). The cast included Bob Crane, Richard Dawson, Ivan Dixon (1965-1970), Kenneth Washington (1970-1971), Larry Hovis, Cynthia Lynn (1965-1966) and Sigrid Valdis (1966-1970).
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Love, American Style (1969), Arnie, Love Thy Neighbor and The Munsters Today. Some of his other television guest appearances included Appointment with Adventure, Play of the Week, Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, The High Chaparral, Fantasy Island (1978) and The New Adam-12 (1990).
He starred as Robert LeClair on Days of Our Lives from 1972–1973, 1975–1983 and 1986–1987. He played Pierre Jourdan on The Bold and the Beautiful from 1990 to 1992. He appeared as Pierre Roulland on two episodes of The Young and the Restless in 1974.
Clary was a survivor of the Holocaust. He published a memoir, From the Holocaust to Hogan's Heroes: The Autobiography of Robert Clary, in 2001. He describes his childhood in Paris, the German occupation in 1940, and his deportation in 1942 at the age of sixteen to the infamous transit camp Drancy. He recounts his nightmarish, two-and-a-half-year incarceration in Nazi concentration camps like Ottmuth, Blechhammer, Gross-Rosen, and Buchenwald. He played himself in the 1982 NBC TV movie Remembrance of Love.
Actor Kevin Conroy was known for his voice portrayal of the DC Comics superhero Batman in various animated media, beginning with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992. He starred on the sitcoms Rachel Gunn, R.N. in 1992 and The Office in 1995. He died at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City from colorectal cancer on November 10, 2022. Mr. Conroy was 66.
Conroy starred as Dr. David Dunkle on the short-lived 1992 Fox sitcom Rachel Gunn, R.N., which aired for 10 episodes (plus 3 unaired). The series followed the staff of Little Innocence Hospital in Nebraska. It also starred Christine Ebersole, Megan Mullally, Bryan Brightcloud, Dan Tullis Jr., Kathleen Mitchell and Lois Foraker.
He starred as Steve Gilman on the short-lived 1995 CBS sitcom The Office. Steve Gilman is a sleazy salesman and the boss of Deborah (Kristin Dattilo-Hayward), a naive MBA student. The cast included Valerie Harper, Dakin Matthews, Debra Jo Rupp, Lisa Durr, Andrea Abbate and Gary Dourdan.
Conroy guest starred as Darryl Mead in two episodes of Cheers in 1989 and 1990. He played Roger Harris in a 1991 episode of Murphy Brown.
He played Chase Kendall on the daytime soap opera Search for Tomorrow for 79 episodes from 1984 to 1985. He had a recurring role as gay lawyer Bart Fallmont in eight episodes of Dynasty from 1985 to 1986. He starred as Captain Lloyd Hamilton on the 1987-1988 ABC police procedural Ohara. He played company commander Captain Rusty Wallace in 12 episodes of Tour of Duty.
Some of his other television guest appearances included Matlock, Kay O'Brien, Spenser: For Hire and WIOU.
Conroy was also known for his voice work. He was best known for his starring role as Bruce Wayne / Batman in the acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995). He continued to voice Batman in various animated spin-off productions, which collectively took place in what is known as the DC Animated Universe (DCAU). These spin-offs include the TV shows The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999), Batman Beyond (1999–2001, in which he portrays an elderly Bruce Wayne retired from crimefighting), Justice League (2001–2004), and Justice League Unlimited (2004–2006), as well as the theatrical film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993), and the direct-to-video films Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998), Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000), and Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003). He also voiced Batman for the character's guest appearances in the DCAU's Superman: The Animated Series, Static Shock and The Zeta Project.
Tim Considine (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Tim Considine starred as Mike Douglas on My Three Sons. He died at his home in Mar Vista, California on March 3, 2022. Mr. Considine was 81.
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.
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.
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.
He was later an automobile historian, photographer, and writer who specialized in motor sports.
Emmy-winning producer and writer David Davis co-created The Bob Newhart Show and Taxi. He died in Los Angeles on November 4, 2022. Mr. Davis was 86.
Davis and Lorenzo Music created the 1972-1978 CBS sitcom The Bob Newhart Show. Comedian Bob Newhart portrays a psychologist whose interactions with his wife, friends, patients, and colleagues lead to humorous situations and dialogue.
James L. Brooks, Stan Daniels, Ed. Weinberger and Davis created the 1978-1983 sitcom Taxi, which aired on ABC for four seasons from 1978 to 1982 and the fifth and final season on NBC from 1982 to 1983. It focuses on the everyday lives of a handful of New York City taxi drivers and their abusive dispatcher. Davis won a Primetime Emmy Award for his producing work on Taxi in 1979 when it won for Outstanding Comedy Series. Taxi also won Outstanding Comedy Series in 1980 and 1981.
Davis and Lorenzo Music developed the 1974-1978 CBS sitcom Rhoda. He met actress Julie Kavner (Brenda Morgenstern) on the set. They were partners from 1976 until his death.
Some of his other sitcom writing credits included Love, American Style (3 episodes) and The Mary Tyler Moore Show (7 episodes). He worked as a dialogue supervisor for The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis from 1962 to 1963. He was an associate producer for O.K. Crackerby!, My Mother the Car, He & She and Get Smart. He worked as a production advisor for the 1993-1994 ABC sitcom Phenom.
He was a key player on the MTM Enterprises team in the 1970s. He also shot footage for the title sequences for The Bob Newhart Show and Taxi.
Janet De Gore (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Janet De Gore had a recurring role as Louise Howard on The Real McCoys. She died on June 11, 2022. Ms. De Gore was 91.
De Gore had a recurring role as Louise Howard in 11 episodes of The Real McCoys in 1963. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Colonel Humphrey Flack (2 episodes), Mama and The Farmer's Daughter.
She starred in the legal drama television series The Law and Mr. Jones as the title character's secretary, Marsha Spear.
George Spiro Dibie (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Cinematographer George Spiro Dibie won five Emmys for his work in 1985 on Mr. Belvedere, in 1987 and 1991 for Growing Pains, in 1990 for Just the Ten of Us, and in 1995 for Sister, Sister. He died on February 8, 2022. Mr. Dibie was 90.
Some of his other sitcom credits included A.E.S. Hudson Street, Ladies' Man, The Two of Us, Maggie (1981-1982), Barney Miller, Buffalo Bill, Head of the Class, Nothing in Common, Night Court, My Sister Sam, Dudley, The Trouble with Larry, Tall Hopes, The 5 Mrs. Buchanans, The Mommies, Goode Behavior, Kelly Kelly and DiResta.
Actor and director Tony Dow starred as Wally Cleaver on Leave it to Beaver. He died on July 27, 2022, at his home in Topanga, California, of complications from liver cancer. Mr. Dow was 77.
Dow's career began when he went on a casting call and landed the role of Wally Cleaver in Leave it to Beaver. The classic family sitcom aired on CBS for one season from 1957 to 1958 before moving to ABC for five seasons from 1958 to 1963. A total of 234 episodes were produced over the six seasons. Wally is June (Barbara Billingsley) and Ward's (Hugh Beaumont) son and Beaver's (Jerry Mathers) older brother. His pals include Tooey Brown (Tiger Fafara), Chester Anderson (Buddy Hart), the awkward Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford (Frank Bank), and smart-aleck Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond).
He reprised his role as Wally in the 1983 CBS reunion television movie Still the Beaver, which aired on March 19, 1983. The ratings success of the movie prompted the creation of the Disney Channel revival series Still the Beaver, which aired for one season from 1984 to 1985. The series was retitled The New Leave it to Beaver when it moved to WTBS for three additional seasons from 1986 to 1989. A total of 101 episodes (plus the movie) were produced over the four seasons. Dow wrote one episode and directed five episodes of the series. The cast included Barbara Billingsley, Jerry Mathers, Kipp Marcus, John Snee, Janice Kent, Kaleena Kiff, Ken Osmond, Eric Osmond, Christian Osmond, Ellen Maxted, Troy Davidson (1987-1989) and Frank Bank.
Dow played Ed Greene, the father of Patty Greene (Sarah Jessica Parker), in two episodes of Square Pegs in 1982. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included My Three Sons (1964), Love, American Style (1971), The Love Boat (2 episodes) and Charles in Charge.
He starred as Chet on the 1965-1966 ABC daytime soap opera Never Too Young. Some of his television drama guest appearances included Dr. Kildare, The Eleventh Hour, The Greatest Show on Earth, Mr. Novak (5 episodes), Lassie (3 episodes), Adam-12, Mod Squad, Emergency!, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, Quincy, M.E. (1983), Knight Rider, The New Mike Hammer (1987), Murder, She Wrote (1987), Jesse Hawkes, Freddy's Nightmares (2 episodes) and Diagnosis Murder.
Dow parodied his Wally role in The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977) with Jerry Zucker playing Beaver. He played Principal Pete Kinney in the 1983 NBC TV movie High School U.S.A., which starred Michael J. Fox, Nancy McKeon, Anthony Edwards, Crispin Glover, Todd Bridges, Dana Plato, Frank Bank, Ken Osmond and many other sitcom stars.
Some of his other sitcom directing credits included Get a Life, Harry and the Hendersons (6 episodes), Coach (13 episodes), Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show (3 episodes) and Manhattan, AZ (3 episodes). His drama directing credits included The New Lassie (2 episodes), Swamp Thing (5 episodes), Babylon 5 (5 episodes), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Crusade (2 episodes) and Cover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI Family (3 episodes).
Dow served as the visual effects supervisor for Babylon 5. In 1996, he provided visual effects for the Fox television movie Doctor Who. He was a producer for The Adventures of Captain Zoom in Outer Space (1995) and It Came from Outer Space II (1996).
Actress Denise Dowse was best known for her roles as Mrs. Yvonne Teasley in the television series Beverly Hills, 90210 (1991–2000), Judge Rebecca Damsen in The Guardian (2001–2004) and Dr. Rhonda Pine in Insecure. She died on August 13, 2022, complications from meningitis. Ms. Dowse was 64.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included ALF, Full House, California Dreams (2 episodes), Murphy Brown, Seinfeld (2 episodes), Men Behaving Badly, Ink, NewsRadio, Step by Step, Moesha, Becker, Girlfriends and The Bernie Mac Show.
Television and film director Jim Drake worked on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976-1977), Gimme a Break!, The Golden Girls and Night Court. He died on January 10, 2022, in Freeland, Washington. Mr. Drake was 77.
Some of his sitcom directing credits included Alice (2 episodes), Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (157), Fernwood Tonight (8), The Facts of Life (3), Sanford (26), Gimme a Break! (14), Buffalo Bill (9), We Got It Made (6), Domestic Life (5), Double Trouble (5), Newhart (5), It's Your Move (4), The Golden Girls (8), Who's the Boss? (5), Roomies (5), Boys Will Be Boys (9), Night Court (63), Dave's World (24), The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (7) and The Suite Life on Deck (2).
Drake received Emmy nominations for his work on Buffalo Bill in 1983 and The Golden Girls in 1986.
He directed the films Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987) and Speed Zone (1989).
Actess Sonya Eddy starred as Epiphany Johnson on General Hospital. She played Tammy in the truTV comedy series Those Who Can't. She died on December 19, 2022, in Burbank, California. Her cause of death was an infection after non-emergency surgery. Ms. Eddy was 55.
She appeared as Tammy in 31 episodes of the truTV comedy series Those Who Can't from 2016 to 2019.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Drew Carey Show (2 episodes), Martin, Married with Children (2 episodes), Murphy Brown, Family Matters, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Seinfeld (2 episodes as Rebecca DeMornay), Home Improvement, Reba, Still Standing, Less Than Perfect, Malcolm in the Middle, Everybody Hates Chris, Mike & Molly, 2 Broke Girls, Mom and Fresh Off the Boat (5 episodes).
Ned Eisenberg (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Ned Eisenberg starred as Anthony Fanelli on The Fanelli Boys. He died from complications of cholangiocarcinoma at his home in New York, on February 27, 2022. Mr. Eisenberg was 65.
He starred as Anthony Fanelli on the 1990-1991 NBC sitcom The Fanelli Boys. The series also starred Ann Morgan Guilbert, Andy Hirsch, Christoper Meloni, Joe Pantoliano, Richard Libertini, Nick DeMauro and Vera Lockwood.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Dear John, Whoopi and 30 Rock. He had a recurring role as Roger Kressler on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Actor Cliff Emmich made a number of sitcom guest appearances. He died of lung cancer on November 28, 2022, in Los Angeles. Mr. Emmich was 85.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Odd Couple (2 episodes), Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (2 episodes), Happy Days (2 episodes), It's Garry Shandling's Show, 227, A Different World, Who's the Boss?, Rachel Gunn, R.N. (1992), California Dreams, Coach and Martin.
He was perhaps best known for playing the character of Chicago in the 1973 film Payday.
Richard Eustis (IMDB)
Emmy-winning writer and producer Richard Eustis co-created Head of the Class. He died on October 30, 2022, in Thousand Oaks, California. Mr. Eustis was 86.
Eustis and Michael Elias created and executive produced the 1986-1991 ABC sitcom Head of the Class. The series follows a group of gifted students in the Individualized Honors Program (IHP) at the fictional Millard Fillmore High School in Manhattan, and their history teacher Charlie Moore (Howard Hesseman).
They created and executive produced the short-lived 1992 ABC sitcom Billy. The spin-off of Head of the Class starred Billy Connolly as Billy MacGregor, a Scottish teacher who moves to America in order to build a new life for himself.
Eustis and Elias created and executive produced the short-lived 1993 CBS sitcom Tall Hopes. The series starred George Wallace, Anna Maria Horsford, Kenn Michael, Terrence Howard and Karla Green.
He wrote a Scrubs episode in 2004 and worked as a consultant for eight episodes from 2003 to 2004.
Eustis won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special - Comedy-Variety or Music for An Evening with John Denver in 1975.
en Feigin was an executive producer of Schitt's Creek, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2020. He shared the award with other producers of the show, including Eugene Levy and Dan Levy. He died from pancreatic cancer on October 24, 2022, in Los Angeles. Mr. Feigin was 47.
Actress Farrah Forke starred as Alex Lambert on Wings. She died of cancer at her home in Houston, Texas, on February 25, 2022. Ms. Forke was 54.
Forke starred as Alex Lambert on 35 episodes of the NBC sitcom Wings from 1992 to 1995. Alex Lambert is a helicopter pilot who moves to Nantucket to start her own helicopter tour business. She has a relationship with Brian Hackett (Steven Weber). Forke joined the series as a recurring cast member in the fourth season (1992-1993) before becoming a regular in the fifth season (1993-1994). She made a final guest appearance in the sixth season. The cast also included Tim Daly, Crystal Bernard, David Schramm, Rebecca Schull, Thomas Haden Church (1990-1995), Tony Shalhoub (1991-1997) and Amy Yasbeck (1994-1997).
She starred as Carey on the short-lived 1995 CBS sitcom Dweebs. Carey is an office manager for a Seattle computer software company called Cyberbyte. The series also starred Peter Scolari, Corey Feldman, David Kaufman, Stephen Tobolowsky and Adam Biesk.
Forke starred as Nikki Harkin on the short-lived 1996-1997 NBC sitcom Mr. Rhodes. Nikki Harkin is Tom Rhodes (Tom Rhodes) high school fantasy girl who is a guidance counselor at Harkin Academy, a small-town prep school. The series also starred Stephen Tobolowsky, Ron Glass, Jessica Stone, Shaun Weiss, Lindsay Sloane, Travis Wester and Alexandra Holden.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included A Whole New Ballgame, Ned and Stacey and Jenny.
She had a recurring role as Mayson Drake, an attorney who considers Superman (Dean Cain) a vigilante, but holds a candle for Clark Kent (Dean Cain), on four episodes of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman from 1994 to 1995. Her other drama guest appearances included Fantasy Island (1998) and three episodes of Party of Five as Tracy in 1999.
Forke provided the voice of Big Barda / Barda Free on two episodes of Batman Beyond in 2000 and one episode of Justice League Unlimited in 2005. She provided a voice for a 1997 episode of Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man. She was the voice woman of several companies, including Cadillac and Arby's.
Her film credits included Disclosure (1994), Heat (1995), Ground Control (1998) and Hitman's Run (1999).
Clarence Gilyard Jr. (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Clarence Gilyard Jr. starred as Conrad McMasters on Matlock and as James "Jimmy" Trivette on Walker, Texas Ranger. He died after a long illness on November 28, 2022, at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mr. Gilyard was 66.
Gilyard starred as Roland Culp on the short-lived 1984 NBC sitcom The Duck Factory. Roland Culp is a storyboard artist at an animation studio nicknamed The Duck Factory, which produces a TV cartoon called Dippy Duck. The cast included Jim Carrey, Teresa Ganzel, Jack Gilford, Julie Payne, Nancy Lane, Jay Tarses and Don Messick.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Diff'rent Strokes (2 episodes), Making the Grade, 227 and The Facts of Life.
He starred as Conrad McMasters on the NBC/ABC legal drama Matlock from 1989 to 1993. Conrad McMasters is Ben Matlock's (Andy Griffith) second private investigator who is a former deputy sheriff and a rodeo rider.
Gilyard starred as James "Jimmy" Trivette on the 1993-2001 CBS western crime drama Walker, Texas Ranger. Jimmy Trivette is Cordell Walker's (Chuck Norris) Texas Ranger partner and the deurotagonist of the series. Gilyard directed an episode of the series in 1999.
He starred as Officer Benjamin Webster on the sixth and final season of CHiPs from 1982 to 1983. Some of his other television guest appearances included Riptide and Simon & Simon.
Gilyard starred as Lieutenant Junior Grade Marcus "Sundown" Williams, a F-14 Tomcat radar intercept officer, in Top Gun (1986). He played Theo, a criminal computer expert, in Die Hard (1988). He played Pastor Bruce Barnes in Left Behind: The Movie (2000) and its sequel, Left Behind II: Tribulation Force (2002).
Gilbert Gottfried (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor and comedian Gilbert Gottfried guest starred on more than 20 sitcoms. He died on April 12, 2022, in Manhattan from recurrent ventricular tachycardia, complicated by type II myotonic dystrophy. Mr. Gottfried was 67.
Gottfried had a recurring role as Lewis Blanchard, Carlton Blanchard's (William Hickey) equally irritating nephew, on three episodes of Wings from 1994 to 1995. Some of his other 1980s and 1990s sitcom guest appearances included The Cosby Show, Night Court (3 episodes as Oscar Brown), A Different World (2 episodes), Herman's Head, Living Single, The Parent 'Hood, Married with Children, Mad About You, Hope & Gloria, In the House, Clueless, Jenny, The Tom Show and Cosby. He played Bert Banner in the 1994 TV movie Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas, which was series finale for Saved by the Bell: The College Years.
Some of his later sitcom guest appearances included Son of the Beach (2 episodes as Noccus Johnstein), Becker, Greg the Bunny (2 episodes), Hannah Montana, 30 Rock (voice), 'Til Death (2 episodes), Anger Management, Deadbeat, The Jim Gaffigan Show (2 episodes), Episodes and Crashing.
In 1987, he starred as Norman on the Cinemax sitcom pilot Norman's Corner. It was co-written by Larry David prior to creating Seinfeld. It was the first sitcom pilot to be shot in HD.
Gottfried was a cast member for 12 episodes on the sixth season (1980-1981) of Saturday Night Live. He was a regular on the late night talk show Thicke of the Night in 1983. He was the Saturday night host of USA Network's USA Up All Night from 1989 to 1998.
He was a regular on the Tom Bergeron era of Hollywood Squares from 1998 to 2004. Some of his other television guest appearances included Superboy (2 episodes), Silk Stalkings, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2 episodes).
Gottfried was known for speaking in a loud and grating voice, which was not his natural speaking voice. He was the voice of parrot Iago in the Aladdin animated films and series. He was the voice of Digit LeBoid on the PBS Kids series Cyberchase. Some of his other voice credits included Problem Child, Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (1998), Dilbert, Fairly OddParents, House of Mouse, Justice League Action, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (as Kraang Subprime), Family Guy (2 episodes) and Smiling Friends. He provided the voice of the duck in the Aflac commercials from 2000 to 2011.
He starred as accountant Sidney Bernstein in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987). He played adoption agent Igor Peabody in Problem Child (1990) and Problem Child 2 (1991). In 2014, he played Abraham Lincoln in A Million Ways to Die in the West. The documentary Gilbert (2017) explored his life and career.
Actor Mike Hagerty (sometimes credited as Michael G. Hagerty) was known for playing comedic blue-collar workers, including his recurring roles as Mr. Treeger, the building superintendent, on Friends and the manager of a muffler shop on HBO's Lucky Louie. He died on May 5, 2022, at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after suffering from a seizure. His seizure was caused by an adverse reaction to antibiotics he was taking for an infection in his leg. Mr. Hagerty was 67.
Hagerty starred as Finley on the short-lived 1993 CBS sitcom The Building. Finley is a one-time firefighter who runs the nearby bar/hangout called G&L Fire Escape in Chicago. The series also starred Bonnie Hunt, Richard Kuhlman, Don Lake, Tom Virtue and Holly Wortell.
He starred as Frank MacNamara on the short-lived 1994-1995 FOX sitcom The George Carlin Show. Frank MacNamara is a working-class regular at The Moylan Tavern. He is a good-natured drinker with a beer belly to show for it. The cast included George Carlin, Alex Rocco, Anthony Starke, Paige French, Christopher Rich, Susan Sullivan, Matt Landers and Phil LaMarr.
Hagerty starred as Mike, the manager of a muffler shop and Louie's (Louis C.K.) employer and friend, on the 2006 HBO sitcom Lucky Louie. The cast included Pamela Adlon, Kelly Gould, Laura Kightlinger, Jerry Minor, Kim Hawthorne, Rick Shapiro and Jim Norton.
He had recently been filming and starring as Ed Miller on the 2022 HBO comedy-drama Somebody Somewhere. Ed Miller is Sam's (Bridget Everett) father and a farmer. The cast includes Jeff Hiller, Mary Catherine Garrison, Danny McCarthy, Murray Hill, Jane Drake Brody, Jon Hudson Odom and Heidi Johanningmeier.
Hagerty had a recurring role as Mr. Treeger, the building superintendent, on five episodes of NBC's Friends from 1995 to 2001.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Cheers, Married with Children, One of the Boys, Murphy Brown, Dear John, Sydney, Get a Life (2 episodes), American Dreamer, Drexell's Class, The Wonder Years, Martin (2 episodes), Seinfeld (as Rudy in "The Raincoats"), Good Advice, Kirk, The Home Court (6 episodes as Leo Blount), The Drew Carey Show, The Faculty, Union Square, Grace Under Fire, Arli$$, The Michael Richards Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Nikki (2 episodes), Life with Bonnie (2 episodes), Complete Savages, American Dad! (voice), Entourage, 'Til Death, Good Luck Charlie, The Mindy Project, Happy Endings, Community, The Goldbergs, Marry Me and Brooklyn Nine-Nine (3 episodes as Captain McGintley).
Some of his drama guest appearances included Crime Story (2 episodes), Mann & Machine, Civil Wars, Star Trek: The Next Generation (2 episodes), Sisters, Ally McBeal, Angel, Dead Last, Deadwood, Desperate Housewives, Boston Legal, Ghost Whisperer, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Medium, Glee, Grey's Anatomy and Shameless.
Hagerty's film credits included Doctor Detroit (1983), Brewster's Millions (1985), Nothing in Common (1986), Overboard (1987), Red Heat (1988), Dick Tracy (1990), V.I. Warshawski (1991), Wayne's World (1992), So I Married an Axe Murderer (1992), Stuart Saves His Family (1995), Space Truckers (1996) and Speed 2: Cruise Control. He was in a deleted scene in Uncle Buck (1989).
Philip Baker Hall (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Character actor Philip Baker Hall played Lt. Joe Bookman on Seinfeld. He died of emphysema at his home in Glendale, California, on June 12, 2022. Mr. Hall was 90.
Hall's early sitcom guest appearances included Good Times, M*A*S*H, It's a Living, Benson and Bagdad Cafe. He appeared as Dr. Harrison in the 1988 three-part Family Ties episode "Heartstrings," in which Steven Keaton has a heart attack and has to undergo heart surgery.
He played Lt. Joe Bookman, a detective pursuing a long-overdue library book, in the Seinfeld episode "The Library." It aired in the third season on October 16, 1991. Jerry learns he has a library fine from 1971, for the then-controversial book Tropic of Cancer, and that the "case" has been turned over to the library investigations officer, Lt. Bookman. Hall reprised the role in "The Finale," which aired on May 14, 1998.
Hall starred as Russ McDonald on the 2006-2007 Fox sitcom The Loop. The show starred Bret Harrison as Sam Sullivan, a young professional trying to balance the needs of his social life with the pressures of working at the corporate headquarters of TransAlliance Airways, a major U.S. airline. Russ McDonald is head executive of TransAlliance Airways and one of Sam's bosses. The series also starred Joy Osmanski, Amanda Loncar, Mimi Rogers, Sarah Mason (Sarah Wright) and Eric Christian Olsen.
He appeared as crotchety neighbor Walt Kleezak in three episodes of Modern Family in 2011 and 2012. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Nurses, Cheers, Bob, Empty Nest, The Good Life, Madman of the People, Life's Work, The John Larroquette Show, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Worst Week (2 episodes), Curb Your Enthusiam (2 episodes as Dr. Morrison), True Jackson, VP (2009), Childrens Hospital and Corporate.
Hall played Ed Meyers in 13 episodes of the ninth and final season (1989-1990) of the CBS prime time soap opera Falcon Crest. He starred as William Vaughn on the 1997-1998 CBS legal drama Michael Hayes. He played George Reese Greeley on the short-lived 2001 Fox prime time soap opera Pasadena. In 2016, he appeared as Old Jimmy Pritchad in five episodes of the Fox science fiction crime drama Second Chance. He had a recurring role as Zelman Katz on the 2020 Netflix thriller Messiah.
Some of his television drama guest appearances included Emergency!, The Waltons, McClain's Law, Quincy, M.E. (2 episodes), Cagney & Lacey, T.J. Hooker, Lottery, Hardcastle and McCormick, Miami Vice, Matlock, Murder, She Wrote (1991), L.A. Law, Equal Justice, Dark Justice, Civil Wars (3 episodes), Roswell, Chicago Hope, The Practice (4 episodes as Judge Joseph Vinocour), Millenium (2 episodes), L.A. Doctors, The Fugitive (2000), Without a Trace, Everwood, Monk, Boston Legal, The West Wing (2 episodes), Psych and Madam Secretary.
Hall starred in the Paul Thomas Anderson films Hard Eight (1996), Boogie Nights (1997) and Magnolia (1999). Some of his other film credits included Secret Honor (1984), Nothing in Common (1986), Midnight Run (1988), Say Anything... (1989), Ghostbusters II (1989), The Rock (1996), The Truman Show (1998), Rush Hour (1998), The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), The Insider (1999), The Contender (2000), Dogville (2003), Bruce Almighty (2003), Duck (2005), Zodiac (2007), 50/50 (2011) and Argo (2012).
Estelle Harris (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Estelle Harris was best known for her role as Estelle Costanza on Seinfeld. She died of natural causes on April 2, 2022, at her home in Palm Desert, California. Ms. Harris was 93.
Harris had a supporting role as Estelle Costanza on the 1989-1998 NBC sitcom Seinfeld. She was credited on 27 episodes from 1992 to 1998. Estelle Costanza is George's (Jason Alexander) highly obnoxious and melodramatic mother. She constantly squabbles with Frank (Jerry Stiller) and George about their actions but is the closest thing to reason in the Costanza household. The cast included Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Michael Richards.
She played Ronnie Cohen on five episodes of the first season of the 1993-1994 CBS sitcom Good Advice. Ronnie Cohen is a receptionist at an office. She is the mother of Artie Cohen (George Wyner). The cast included Shelley Long, Treat Williams, Ross Malinger, Lightfield Lewis, Teri Garr (1994) and Henriette Mantel (1994).
Harris had a recurring role as Muriel on 14 episodes of the 2005-2008 Disney Channel sitcom The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Muriel is the saucy hotel maid who conceals her goodly nature beneath a veneer of acidic sarcasm, and spends more time sneaking in naps and robbing guests of loose change than doing any actual cleaning. The cast included Cole Sprouse, Dylan Sprouse, Brenda Song, Ashley Tisdale, Phill Lewis and Kim Rhodes.
She played Nana on 12 episodes of the 2012 web comedy series Greetings from Home. The cast included Dash Mihok, Missi Pyle, Evie Thompson, Hudson Thames, Nicole Randall Johnson, Kristina Sexton, Cherilyn Wilson and Skyler Stone.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Night Court (3 episodes as Easy Mary), Married with Children, Brooklyn Bridge, Mad About You, In the House, Moesha, Living Single, Cybill, The Parkers, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (2001), Half & Half, Regular Joe, Phil of the Future (voice), iCarly, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Sonny with a Chance, Retired at 35, Are You There, Chelsea? (2 episodes) and The Exes.
Some of her other television guest appearances included Law & Order, Chicago Hope, Fallen Angels, Star Trek: Voyager, Sunset Beach (3 episodes), Providence and ER.
Harris was known for her exaggerated shrill, grating voice. She was the voice of Mrs. Potato Head in the Toy Story franchise in Toy Story 2 (1999), Toy Story 3 (2010) and Toy Story 4 (2019). In 2005, she lent her voice to Mama Gunda in Tarzan II. She was the voice of Lula on the 2004-2005 Disney Channel animated series Dave the Barbarian. Some of her other voice credits included Aladdin (1995), The Tick (1996), Hercules, The Wild Thornberrys, The Brothers Flub, Family Guy, House of Mouse, The Proud Family, Kim Possible, American Dad!, Futurama and Captain Jake and the Never Land Pirates.
Emmy-winning actress Anne Heche starred as Beth Harper on Save Me and as Susan Rodriguez-Jones on The Michael J. Fox Show. She died on August 11, 2022, in Los Angeles, California, from injuries sustained in a traffic collision. Ms. Heche was 53.
Heche played Jessica Haxon on the 2009-2011 HBO comedy-drama Hung.
She starred as Beth Harper on the short-lived 2013 NBC sitcom Save Me. Beth Harper is a woman who, after nearly choking to death on a sandwich, becomes a direct pipeline to God.
Heche appeared as Susan Rodriguez-Jones in four episodes of the 2013-2014 NBC sitcom The Michael J. Fox Show.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Murphy Brown and Ellen.
Heche's professional acting career began on the soap opera Another World (1987–1991) portraying the twins Vicky Hudson and Marley Love, for which she received a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991.
Actor Paul Herman had a recurring role as Marvin, Vincent Chase's (Adrian Grenier) accountant, in six episodes of Entourage from 2004 to 2010. He died on his 76th birthday on March 29, 2022, in New York City.
He had a recurring role on The Sopranos as Peter "Beansie" Gaeta in five episodes.
Howard Hesseman (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Howard Hesseman starred as malcontent disc jockey Dr. Johnny Fever on WKRP in Cincinnati and as history teacher Charlie Moore on Head of the Class. He died from complications of colorectal surgery in Los Angeles, California, on January 29, 2022. Mr. Hesseman was 81.
Hesseman's early sitcom guest appearances included The Andy Griffith Show (2 episodes), Rhoda, Sanford and Son, Laverne & Shirley, Blansky's Beauties and Husbands, Wives & Lovers. He had a recurring role as Dr. Robert Williams on 13 episodes of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman from 1976 to 1977. He appeared as Craig Plager, a member of the group therapy ensemble who was later revealed to be gay, on five episodes of The Bob Newhart Show from 1974 to 1978. In several other episodes of the show, his voice can be heard as a TV announcer (Augie). He had a recurring role as Mr. Franklin on seven episodes of Soap in 1977.
He starred as anti-disco disc jockey Dr. Johnny Fever (real name John R. Caravella) on the 1978-1982 CBS sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. Dr. Johnny Fever is a veteran disc jockey who comes to WKRP after being fired from a major Los Angeles station when he said "booger" on the air. Hesseman prepared for the role by working as a DJ in San Francisco at KMPX-FM for several months. He received two Emmy nominations for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1980 and 1981. He wrote an episode in 1981 and directed an episode in 1982. The cast included Gary Sandy, Gordon Jump, Loni Anderson, Richard Sanders, Frank Bonner, Jan Smithers and Tim Reid.
Hesseman had a recurring role as Sam Royer on 16 episodes of the the last two seasons (1982-1984) of the CBS sitcom One Day at a Time. Sam Royer is the father of Mark Royer (Boyd Gaines), who is Barbara's (Valerie Bertinelli) boyfriend and later husband. Sam Royer later becomes Ann Romano's (Bonnie Franklin) second husband.
He next starred as Charlie Moore on the ABC sitcom Head of the Class. Charlie Moore is a history and social studies teacher at Manhattan's Monroe High School (later changed to Millard Fillmore High School in the final season) who teaches the honors program to intellectual geniuses and helps them aim for their dreams. Hesseman left the series after the fourth season in 1990 and was replaced by Scottish comedian Billy Connolly (in his first major American production) as teacher Billy MacGregor for the final season. The cast included William G. Schilling, Jeannetta Arnette, Leslie Bega (seasons 1-3), Dan Frischman, Robin Givens, Khrystyne Haje, Jory Husain (aka Joher Coleman) (seasons 1–3), Tony O'Dell, Brian Robbins, Kimberly Russell, Dan Schneider, Tannis Valley (seasons 1–3; guest, season 5), Rain Pryor (seasons 3-5), Michael DeLorenzo (seasons 4-5), Lara Piper (seasons 4-5), Jonathan Ke Quan (seasons 4-5) and De'voreaux White (seasons 4-5).
Hesseman reprised his role of Dr. Johnny Fever on nine episodes of the 1991-1993 first-run syndicated sitcom The New WKRP in Cincinnati. He appeared on four episodes in the first season and five episodes in season two. He participated in a four-episode story arc as WKRP's overnight DJ in season two, although he left the station (and the series) before the season ended. He also directed two episodes of the series revival in 1993. The cast included Gordon Jump, Richard Sanders, Frank Bonner, Mykel (Mykelti) T. Williamson, Tawny Kitaen and French Stewart.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included 9 to 5 (1982), Love, Sidney (1983), Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (1998), Three Sisters, That '70s Show (3 episodes as Max), Maybe It's Me, It's All Relative, Oliver Beene, Mike & Molly and Fresh Off the Boat (2 episodes as Mr. Royce). He hosted Saturday Night Live three times in 1979, 1982 and 1983.
He played Judge Robert Thompson on three episodes of Boston Legal from 2006 to 2007. Some of his other drama guest appearances included Dragnet 1967, Mannix, The Blue Knight, Harry O, Family, Switch, Baretta, Delvecchio, Westside Medical, Quincy M.E, The Rockford Files, Murder, She Wrote (1985), The Ray Bradbury Theatre (1992), Burke's Law, The Outer Limits (1997), The Practice, Family Law, The Pretender, Touched by an Angel, Level 9, Thieves, Crossing Jordan, Boomtown, House, Psych, John from Cincinnati (2 episodes), ER, Lie to Me, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Drop Dead Diva and Chicago Med.
Hesseman starred as Captain Pete Lassard in the film Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment (1985). Some of his other film credits included Steelyard Blues (1973), Loose Shoes (1978), Private Lessons (1981), Doctor Detroit (1983), This Is Spinal Tap (1984), My Chauffeur (1986), Flight of the Navigator (1986), Heat (1986), Inside Out (1986), Rubin & Ed (1991), Little Miss Millions (aka Home for Christmas) (1994) and The Sky Is Falling (1999).
Dwayne Hickman (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor, director, producer and television executive Dwayne Hickman starred as Chuck MacDonald on The Bob Cummings Show (Love That Bob) and as Dobie Gillis on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. He died on January 9, 2022, from complications of Parkinson's disease in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Hickman was 87.
Hickman starred as Chuck MacDonald on the 1955-1959 sitcom The Bob Cummings Show. Chuck MacDonald is Margaret's (Rosemary DeCamp) son and Bob Collins' (Bob Cummings) nephew, a teenager always vying for his uncle's attention. The series began with a half-season run on NBC in 1955, then ran for two full seasons on CBS from 1955 to 1957, and returned to NBC for its final two seasons from 1957 to 1959. It was syndicated and rerun under the title Love That Bob. The cast included Ann B. Davis, Nancy Kulp, Lyle Talbot, Lisa Gaye, Diane Jergens (1955-1956), King Donovan (1955-1958), Mary Lawrence (1956-1958), Gloria Marshall (1956-1957), Joi Lansing (1956-1959) and Carol Henning (1956-1957).
He next starred as Dobie Gillis on the 1959-1963 CBS sitcom The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. The series revolved around teenager Dobie Gillis, who aspired to have popularity, money, and the attention of beautiful and unattainable girls. His sidekick and de facto best friend was American television's first beatnik, Maynard G. Krebs (Bob Denver), who became the series' breakout character. The cast included Frank Faylen and Florida Friebus. Semi regulars included Sheila James, Tuesday Weld, Steve Franken, William Schallert, Jean Byron and Doris Packer. The program spawned two 20th Century Fox-produced sequels, the pilot Whatever Happened to Dobie Gillis? (1977) and the TV movie Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis (1988), which Hickman also worked on as a producer.
He had a recurring role as Tripp Mariens in five episodes of Clueless from 1996 to 1999. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, Valentine's Day, The Flying Nun, Love, American Style (3 episodes), Karen (1975) and Hi Honey, I'm Home (1997 as Dobie Gillis).
Some of his other television guest appearances included The Lone Ranger, Wagon Train, Combat!, Vacation Playhouse, Ironside, Mod Squad, Kolchak: The Night Stalker, Ellery Queen and Murder, She Wrote.
Hickman worked as a director of sitcoms from 1989 to 1996. Some of his credits included Duet, Charles in Charge, Open House (2 episodes), Designing Women (3 episodes), Get a Life (3 episodes), Head of the Class, Harry and the Hendersons (2 episodes) and Sister, Sister.
He served as a programming executive at CBS from 1977 to 1998. In retirement, he devoted his time to painting.
Singer and actress Marva Hicks had a recurring role as Remy on Mad About You from 1993 to 1995. She died in New York City on September 16, 2022. Ms. Hicks was 66.
Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included The Sinbad Show, South Central (1994), Sister, Sister (4 episodes) and Search Party.
Nick Holly (IMDB)
Television writer, producer and manager Nick Holly was the co-creator of Sons & Daughters. He died on November 21, 2022, of lung cancer, surrounded by loved ones at his home in Santa Monica, California. Mr. Holly was 51.
Holly and Fred Goss created the short-lived 2006 ABC sitcom Sons & Daughters. It is about about an extended blended family living close together in a neighborhood. Holly, Goss, Lorne Michaels and Joann Alfano served as the executive producers. Holly wrote nine episodes and directed one episode. The cast included Fred Goss, Gillian Vigman, Jerry Lambert, Alison Quinn, Max Gail, Dee Wallace-Stone, Amanda Walsh, Desmond Harrington, Greg Pitts, Eden Sher, Randy Wayne, Trevor Einhorn, Noah Matthews, Lexi Jourden and Lois Hall.
Holly and Goss were writers for the 2011 YouTube animated web series The LeBrons. In 2005, he was the executive producer for the TV movie The Weekend. He worked as a mananager for writers of television, film and Broadway.
Joan Hotchkis (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Joan Hotchkis starred as Ellen Monroe on My World and Welcome to It and as Dr. Nancy Cunningham for several seasons on The Odd Couple. She died on September 27, 2022, in Los Angeles. She suffered from congestive heart failure prior to her death. Ms. Hotchkis was 95.
Hotchkis starred as Ellen Monroe on the 1969-1970 NBC sitcom My World and Welcome to It. It starred William Windom as John Monroe, a Thurber-like writer and cartoonist who works for a magazine closely resembling The New Yorker called The Manhattanite. Wry, fanciful and curmudgeonly, Monroe observes and comments on life, to the bemusement of his wife Ellen (Joan Hotchkis) and daughter Lydia (Lisa Gerritsen). Monroe's frequent daydreams and fantasies are usually based on Thurber material. It won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1970.
She played Dr. Nancy Cunningham in 11 episodes of the ABC sitcom The Odd Couple in 1971. Oscar Madison (Jack Klugman) gained a steady girlfriend during that latter part of the first season and half of the second, Dr. Nancy Cunningham (portrayed by Joan Hotchkis), an attractive physician is, whose colleague, Dr. Melnitz (played by Bill Quinn in several episodes), is a curmudgeonly and sardonic older doctor who treats both Felix and Oscar.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Bewitched (3 episodes), The New Temperatures Rising Show and The New Dick Van Dyke Show.
Gregory Itzin (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Character actor Gregory Itzin was perhaps best known for his role as U.S. President Charles Logan in the action thriller series 24. He starred on the short-lived sitcoms The Nutt House and Something Wilder. He died on July 8, 2022, due to complications during an emergency surgery. Mr. Itzin was 74.
Itzin starred as Dennis on the short-lived 1989 NBC sitcom The Nutt House. The Nutt House was was a broad farce about a once-prestigious New York City hotel, which had of late fallen on hard times. The cast included Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman, Mark Blankfield, Brian McNamara and Molly Hagan.
He starred as Jack Travis on the short-lived 1994-1995 NBC sitcom Something Wilder. The series is about a fifty-something husband, Gene Bergman (Gene Wilder), and his wife, Annie (Hillary Bailey Smith), who is in her thirties, are learning to cope with raising 4-year-old fraternal twin sons, Sam and Gabe (Carl Michael Lindner and Ian Bottiglieri). Gene ran an advertising agency with his partner, crabby best friend Jack Travis, whose offices were located adjacent to both their homes.
Itzin starred as Sergei Zokolov on the 2001-2001 Comedy Central sitcom Strip Mall. Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Mork & Mindy, Frank's Place, Murphy Brown, Anything But Love, Head of the Class, Coach, Night Court (2 episodes), Empty Nest (3 episodes), Major Dad, Shaky Ground, Dave's World, Arli$$, Suddenly Susan, Brother's Keeper, It's Like, You Know..., Friends (2 episodes as Theodore Hannigan) and Hannah Montana.
He starred as D.A. Roger Garfield on the ABC legal drama Murder One from 1995 to 1996. He appeared as U.S. President Charles Logan in 44 episodes of the Fox action drama 24 from 2005 to 2010. He received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2006 and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2010 for the role.
Some of his film credits included Airplane! (1980), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), Law Abiding Citizen (2009) and Lincoln (2012).
Actor and jazz trombonist Conrad Janis starred as Fred McConnell on Mork & Mindy. He died of organ failure on March 1, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Janis was 94.
Janis' first sitcom starring role was as Edward on the 1953 live NBC sitcom Bonino. The series is about an Italian-American opera singer named Bonino (Ezio Pinza) trying to rear his eight children after the death of their mother. Edward is the eldest son. The cast included Lenka Peterson, Chet Allen, Donald Harris, Oliver Andes, Gaye Huston, Van Dyke Parks, Mary Wickes, Mike Kellin, David Opatoshu and Fred (Anthony) Eisley.
He starred as Otto Bob Palindrome on the short-lived 1977-1978 NBC science fiction sitcom Quark. Otto Bob Palindrome is in charge of Perma One, and gives Commander Adam Quark (Richard Benjamin) his assignments. His first name, "Otto", is a palindrome, as is his middle name, "Bob." The series also starred Tim Thomerson, Richard Kelton, Tricia Barnstable, Cyb Barnstable, Bobby Porter and Alan Caillou.
Janis starred as Fred McConnell, Mindy McConnell's (Pam Dawber) father, on the 1978-1982 ABC sitcom Mork & Mindy. Fred McConnell is a widower with conservative values. He owned a music shop with Cora Hudson (Elizabeth Kerr) in the first season. In the third season, Fred became the conductor of the Boulder Symphony Orchestra. Janis appeared in a total of 53 episodes. He also voiced the character on the 1982-1983 ABC animated series Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour. The cast of Mork & Mindy included Robin Williams, Jeffrey Jacquet (1978-1979), Ralph James (voice only), Tom Poston, Jay Thomas (1979-1981), Gina Hecht (1979-1981), Jim Staahl (1979-1981), Robert Donner, Crissy Wilzak (1980-1981), Foster Brooks (1981) and Jonathan Winters (1981-1982).
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Get Smart, My Favorite Martian, Maude, Happy Days, The Jeffersons, Husbands, Wives & Lovers (1978), The Love Boat, House Calls, Laverne & Shirley, Mama's Family, The Golden Girls and Frasier (3 episodes as Albert).
He starred as Officer Jimmy Hughes on the short-lived 1953 police drama Jimmy Hughes, Rookie Cop. Some of his televison guest appearances from the 1950s and 1960s included Actor's Studio (2 episodes), Starlight Theatre (2 episodes), The Philco Television Playhouse (2 episodes), The Big Story (2 episodes), Suspense (8 episodes), The Doctor, Danger (2 episodes), Kraft Theatre (3 episodes), The Untouchables and The United States Steel Hour (3 episodes).
Some of his 1970s and later guest apperances included Banacek, Cannon, Baretta, The Waltons, The Streets of San Francisco, Police Story, Kojak, Barnaby Jones, Here's Boomer, Trapper John, M.D. (1983), St. Elsewhere (2 episodes), Remington Steele (2 episodes), V: The Series, Highway to Heaven, Murder, She Wrote (3 episodes), Baywatch, Diagnosis Murder, L.A. Heat and Family Law.
His film credits included Margie (1946), That Hagen Girl (1947), The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox (1976), The Buddy Holly Story (1978), Oh, God! Book II (1978), Brewster's Millions (1978), Mr. Saturday Night (1992), The Feminine Touch (1995) (also director) and The Cable Guy (1996).
He was a skilled trombonist and a longtime advocate of traditional jazz. He formed the Beverly Hills Unlisted Jazz Band in the 1970s which performed multiple times on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and gave eight sold-out performances at Carnegie Hall. Conrad Janis and the Unlisted Jazz Band appeared in the 1986 film Nothing in Common.
Leslie Jordan (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Emmy-winning actor, comedian, writer and singer Leslie Jordan starred as Lonnie Garr on Hearts Afire, as Beverley Leslie on Will & Grace and as Phil on Call Me Kat. He died on October 24, 2022, after his car hit the side of a building at Cahuenga Boulevard and Romaine Street in Hollywood. He was believed to have experienced a medical episode that led to the crash. Mr. Jordan was 67.
Jordan's first sitcom starring role was as meddlesome mailman Truman Fipps on the short-lived 1989 CBS sitcom The People Next Door. The series also starred Jeffrey Jones, Mary Gross, Chance Quinn, Jaclyn Bernstein and Christina Pickles.
He played Emmet Lefebvre on the short-lived 1991 Fox sitcom Top of the Heap. Emmet Lefebre is the diminutive security guard at the Rolling Hills Country Club outside Chicago. The Married with Children spin-off also starred Joseph Bologna, Matt LeBlanc, Joey Lauren Adams and Rita Moreno.
Jordan starred as Lonnie Garr in 27 episodes of the CBS sitcom Hearts Afire from 1993 to 1995. Lonnie Garr is a big-talking but insecure printer at The Daily Beacon paper. The cast included John Ritter, Markie Post, Billy Bob Thornton, Justin Burnette (1992-1994), J. Skylar Testa (1994-1995), Clark Duke, Wendie Jo Sperber (1992-1993), Beth Broderick (1992-1993), George Gaynes (1992-1993), Edward Asner (1992-1993) and Conchata Ferrell (1993-1995).
He had a recurring role as Beverley Leslie in 17 episodes of the NBC sitcom Will & Grace from 2001 to 2006 and 2017 to 2020. Beverley Leslie is Karen Walker's (Megan Mullally) pretentious, sexually ambiguous rival. Jordan won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series at the 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 2006. The cast included Eric McCormack, Debra Messing and Sean Hayes.
Jordan starred as Sidney "Sid" Delacroix on the 2018-2019 Fox sitcom The Cool Kids. The series follows three male residents of the Shady Meadows Retirement Community who are forced to adapt to the arrival of a new, rebellious female occupant. It also starred David Alan Grier, Martin Mull and Vicki Lawrence.
He was starring as Phil on the Fox sitcom Call Me Kat, which is currently in its third season. Phil is a newly single gay man who works as the head baker at Kat's (Mayim Bialik) café. The cast includes Swoosie Kurtz, Kyla Pratt, Julian Grant, Cheyenne Jackson and Christopher Rivas.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Night Court, Annie McGuire, Murphy Brown, Newhart, Sugar and Spice, American Dreamer, Babes, Perfect Strangers, The New WKRP in Cincinnati, Getting By, Nurses, Coach, Weird Science, Wings, Arli$$, Ellen, Dharma & Greg, Caroline in the City, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Reba, George Lopez, Shake It Up, The Game, The Neighbors, Raising Hope, The Exes, Baby Daddy, K.C. Undercover and Life in Pieces.
Jordan starred as Asst. Public Defender Clifford Sizemore on the NBC police drama Reasonable Doubts from 1992 to 1993. He played Lemar Samuels on the 1992-1993 CBS police drama Bodies of Evidence. He played Dr. Benjamin Harris in two episodes of Ally McBeal and five episodes of Boston Public. In 2005, he played Bernard Ferrion in five episodes of Boston Legal. He had a recurring role as Jesse Jo in five episodes of Hidden Palms in 2007. He played several characters in recurring roles in the American Horror Story franchise.
Some of his drama guest appearances included The Fall Guy, The Wizard, Midnight Caller, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Charlie Grace, Star Trek: Voyager, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Pretender, Pacific Blue, Buddy Faro, Martial Law, Any Day Now, Nash Bridges, Monk, Ugly Betty, Privileged, Desperate Housewives and Fantasy Island (2021).
Sally Kellerman (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Sally Kellerman's role as Major Margaret "Hot Lips" Houlihan in Robert Altman's film M*A*S*H (1970) earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. She had a recurring role as Toni Maron on Maron. She died from heart failure at a care facility in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, on February 24, 2022.
Kellerman had a recurring role as Toni Maron, Marc Maron's mother, in five episodes of the IFC sitcom Maron from 2013 to 2016.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Bachelor Father, I'm Dickens, He's Fenster (1963), The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, My Three Sons, That Girl, Evening Shade, Dinosaurs (voice), Dream On, The Naked Truth, Norm, In-Laws, Workaholics and Difficult People.
Carl Kleinschmitt (IMDB)
Television writer Carl Kleinschmitt worked on The Dick Van Dyke Show and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. He died on December 8, 2022, in Los Angeles of complications from myelodysplastic syndrome. Mr. Kleinschmitt was 85.
Some of his sitcom writing credits included The Joey Bishop Show (14 episodes), The Dick Van Dyke Show (9 episodes), Hey, Landlord (5 episodes), Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (7 episodes), That Girl (5 episodes), The Courtship of Eddie's Father (3 episodes), My World and Welcome to It (2 episodes), Funny Face (13 episodes - creator), The Sandy Duncan Show (12 episodes - creator), M*A*S*H (2 episodes), Karen (1975) (13 episodes), Welcome Back, Kotter (2 episodes) and 1st & Ten (7 episodes).
Actor, comedian and writer Jak Knight recently starred on the Peacock comedy series Bust Down. He was found dead on an embankment in Los Angeles on July 14, 2022. His cause of death was determined to be suicide by gunshot. Mr. Knight was only 28.
Knight starred as Jak, a stockroom worker, on the 2022 Peacock comedy series Bust Down. The series follows a group of friends working low-wage jobs at a casino in Gary, Indiana. The cast includes Chris Redd, Sam Jay, Langston Kerman, Phi Tran, DomiNque Perry and Freddie Gibbs.
He provided the voice of DeVon and other characters for 28 episodes of the Netflix animated sitcom Big Mouth. He was the voice of Stiles for two episodes of American Dad! in 2021.
Some of his writing credits included black-ish, Immoral Compass, Big Mouth, Bust Down and Pause with Sam Jay. His producing credits included Big Mouth, Bust Down and Pause with Sam Jay.
Actress Linda Lawson starred as Pat Perry on Don't Call Me Charlie. She died in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles on May 18, 2022. Ms. Lawson was 86.
Lawson starred as Pat Perry on the 1962-1963 NBC sitcom Don't Call Me Charlie. Dr. Judson McKay (Josh Peine) is a small-town veterinarian from Muscatine, Iowa, who suddenly gets drafted into the United States Army and finds himself stationed as a private at an Army veterinary post in Paris. The series also starred John Hubbard, Cully Richards, Alan Napier, Arte Johnson, Louise Glenn and Penny Santon.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Bob Cummings Show, The Real McCoys, Saved by the Bell: The New Class and Arli$$.
She had a recurring role as Renee on Adventures in Paradise from 1959 to 1961.
Actor and producer starred on Love That Jill. He died on March 9, 2022, at his home in San Diego, California. Mr. Lydon was 98.
Lydon starred as Richard on the short-lived 1958 ABC sitcom Love That Jill. The cast included Anne Jeffreys, Robert Sterling, Betty Lynn, Polly Rose, Barbara Nichols, Nancy Hadley and Kal Elhardt.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Life of Riley, The Gale Storm Show, The Real McCoys, Hennesey, Many Happy Returns, Love, American Style (1971) and The Jimmy Stewart Show.
He worked as an associate producer for Mister Roberts and Roll Out.
Stuart Margolin (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor and director Stuart Margolin won two Emmy Awards for playing Evelyn "Angel" Martin on the 1970s television series The Rockford Files. He made many sitcom guest apperances. He died in Staunton, Virginia, on December 12, 2022, from pancreatic cancer. Mr. Margolin was 82.
Some his sitcom guest appearances included The Gertrude Berg Show (3 episodes), Hey, Landlord (1966), Pistols 'n' Petticoats, Occasional Wife (3 episodes), The Second Hundred Years, He & She, The Monkees, Bewitched, That Girl (3 episodes), My World and Welcome to It (2 episodes), Getting Together, The Partridge Family (2 episodes), Love, American Style (29 episodes), The Mary Tyler Moore Show, M*A*S*H (2 episodes), Rhoda (2 episodes), The Associates, A Family for Joe and 30 Rock.
He sitcom directing credits included Love, American Style (1973), The Texas Wheelers, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Phyllis and The Love Boat (7 episodes). He directed The Facts of Life Down Under TV movie in 1987.
Margolin portrayed the character of Philo Sandeen in a recurring role as a Native American tracker in the 1981–1982 television series Bret Maverick.
Character actor Ron Masak played the recurring role of Sheriff Mort Metzger on Murder, She Wrote. He starred on the 1973 sitcom Love Thy Neighbor. He died of natural causes on October 20, 2022, in Thousand Oaks, California. Mr. Masak was 86.
Masak starred as Charlie Wilson on the short-lived ABC sitcom Love Thy Neighbor, which aired for 12 episodes in the summer of 1973. Masak and Joyce Bulifant portrayed a husband and wife who discover they're not as open-minded as they thought when a black couple (Harrison Page and Janet MacLachlan) move in next door. The series was based on the British TV hit Love Thy Neighbour.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances in the 1960s included The Monkees (2 episodes as The Count), The Second Hundred Years (2 episodes), The Flying Nun, Get Smart, The Good Guys (2 episodes as Andy Gardner), I Dream of Jeannie (2 episodes), Mayberry R.F.D., Nanny and the Professor, Arnie and Bewitched (5 episodes).
Masak's sitcom guest appearances in the 1970s and 1980s included Funny Face, The Bob Newhart Show, Love, American Style (4 episodes), Good Times, Barney Miller, Good Heavens, Alice, Private Benjamin, Goodnight, Beantown (1984), Jennifer Slept Here, E/R (1984), Diff'rent Strokes, New Love, American Style (1985), Bustin' Loose, She's the Sheriff, Webster (4 episodes as Woody Feldman).
He portrayed the recurring role of Sheriff Mort Metzger of Cabot Cove on Murder, She Wrote, taking over for Tom Bosley's Sheriff Amos Tupper. He appeared in 41 episodes from 1988 to 1996. Angela Lansbury predeceased him by only nine days.
Some of his other television guest appearances included The Twilight Zone, Ironside, McMillan & Wife, Insight, Mission: Impossible, Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law, Longstreet, Medical Center, Emergency!, Land of the Lost, Police Woman, Barnaby Jones, The Rockford Files, Police Story (6 episodes), Wonder Woman, Supertrain, Magnum, P.I. (1981), Quincy M.E., Jessica Novak, Falcon Crest, Remington Steele, Starman, The Law and Harry McGraw and Cold Case.
His film credits included Ice Station Zebra (1968), Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) and Harper Valley PTA (1978).
Actress Diane McBain starred as Daphe Dutton on Surfside Six. She made some sitcom guest appearances. She died from liver cancer on the morning of December 21, 2022, at the Motion Picture Country Home in Los Angeles, California, where she had lived for a number of years. Ms. McBain was 81.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Wendy and Me, Valentine's Day, Love, American Style (1969), To Rome with Love and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996). She appeared in four episodes of Batman from 1966 to 1967.
She played one of Elvis Presley's leading ladies in 1966's Spinout.
Gloria McMillan (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Gloria McMillan starred as Harriet Conklin on Our Miss Brooks. She died at her home in Huntington Beach, California, on January 19, 2022. She had been diagnosed two months earlier, in November 2021, with a cancerous tumor in her bile duct. Ms. McMillan was 88.
McMillan starred as as Harriet Conklin, the student of Miss Brooks and the daughter of Principal Osgood Conklin, on the 1952-1956 CBS sitcom Our Miss Brooks. Harriet Conklin is a Madison High student and daughter of Osgood Conklin. A sometime love interest for Walter Denton, Harriet is sweet, honest, and guileless, unlike her father. She also appeared in the 1956 film Our Miss Brooks.
She guest starred in a 1990 episode of Perfect Strangers.
Television writer and producer Dale McRaven created Mork & Mindy, Angie and Perfect Strangers. He died on September 5, 2022, of complications from lung cancer at his home in Porter Ranch, California. Mr. McRaven was 83.
McRaven's early writing credits included The Joey Bishop Show (14 episodes), The Dick Van Dyke Show (9 episodes), That Girl (1 episode), Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (5 episodes), Hey, Landlord (5 episodes), Accidental Family (1 episode), Good Morning World (1 episode), Get Smart (1 episode), Love, American Style (3 episodes), Room 222 (2 episodes), The Partridge Family (15 episodes), The Girl with Something Extra (1 episode), Laverne & Shirley (1 episode), The Practice (1976) (1 episode) and The Betty White Show (1 episode).
He created the short-lived 1974-1975 ABC sitcom The Texas Wheelers. The series, produced by MTM Enterprises, is about the cantankerous but lovable Zack Wheeler (Jack Elam), a long-lost father who returned to raise his children Truckie (Gary Busey), Doobie (Mark Hamill), Boo (Karen Obediear), and T.J. (Tony Becker) in rural Texas after their mother died. He wrote five of the episodes and was an executive producer for six episodes.
McRaven, Garry Marshall and Joe Glauberg created the 1978-1982 ABC sitcom Mork & Mindy. The series stars Robin Williams as Mork, an extraterrestrial who comes to Earth from the planet Ork, and Pam Dawber as Mindy McConnell, his human friend, roommate, and eventual love interest. McRaven also worked as a producer and executive producer. He wrote 13 episodes. Mork & Mindy received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy series in 1979.
He co-created with Garry Marshall the 1979-1980 ABC sitcom Angie. The series stars Donna Pescow in the lead role, Robert Hays as her love interest and eventual husband, Doris Roberts as her mother and Debralee Scott as her sister. He was also the executive producer for four episodes of the series.
McRaven created the 1986-1993 ABC sitcom Perfect Strangers. The series chronicles the rocky coexistence of midwestern American Larry Appleton (Mark Linn-Baker) and his distant cousin from eastern Mediterranean Europe, Balki Bartokomous (Bronson Pinchot). He wrote three episodes of the series. He worked as an executive producer for 16 episodes and as an executive consultant for 125 episodes.
Some of his other writing credits included 9 to 5, Nearly Departed and Grand. His other producing credits included Valentine's Day, The Partridge Family, The Betty White Show, Nearly Departed and Davis Rules.
Burt Metcalfe (IMDB/Wikipedia/The Interviews: An Oral History of Television)
Television producer, director, screenwriter and actor Burt Metcalfe starred on Father of the Bride. He died from sepsis at a hospital in Los Angeles on July 27, 2022. Mr. Metcalfe was 87.
Metcalfe starred as Buckley Dunston on the 1961-1962 CBS sitcom Father of the Bride. Produced by MGM Television, the series was based on the 1950 film of the same title. The series also starred Leon Ames, Ruth Warrick, Myrna Fahey, Rickie Sorensen, Ransom Sherman, Lurene Tuttle and Ruby Dandridge.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Hennesey, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Wendy and Me and The Farmer's Daughter.
Some of his sitcom directing credits included M*A*S*H (31 episodes), AfterMASH (13 episodes), My Sister Sam and FM.
Some of his producing credits included Anna and the King, Karen (1975), M*A*S*H, AfterMASH and FM.
Actor Mark Miller starred as Jim Nash on Please Don't Eat the Daisies. He died on September 9, 2022, of natural causes at his home in Santa Monica, California. Mr. Miller was 97.
Miller's first starring role was as Bill Hooten on the 1960-1961 ABC sitcom Guestward, Ho!. The premise revolves around a New York City family, the Hootens, who tire of the urban lifestyle and relocate to operate a dude ranch in New Mexico. It was based on the 1956 comic memoir of the same title by New Mexico dude ranch operator Barbara "Babs" Hooton, written in cooperation with Auntie Mame author Patrick Dennis. The series also starred Joanne Dru, J. Carrol Naish, Flip Mark, Earle Hodgins, Jolene Brand and Tony Montenaro, Jr.
He starred as English college professor Jim Nash on the 1965-1967 NBC sitcom Please Don't Eat the Daisies. Jim and Joan Nash (Patricia Crowley) are a married couple who live in an old, turreted house in Ridgemont, New York, with their four rambunctious sons (Kyle, Joel, and identical twins Trevor and Tracy), a very tolerant live-in maid, and an enormous Old English sheepdog named Ladadog. The series ran for two seasons and 58 episodes. Miller received an Emmy nomination for writing the 1966 episode "The Magnificent Muldoon," which guest starred Burgess Meredith. The series also starred Kim Tyler, Brian Nash, Joe Fithian, Jeff Fithian, Shirley Mitchell, Harry Hickox (1965-1966), King Donovan (1966-1967), Dub Taylor (1965-1966), Ellen Corby, Bill Quinn (1966-1967) and Jean VanderPyl (1966-1967).
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Stanley, The Andy Griffith Show, The Patty Duke Show, I Dream of Jeannie and That Girl.
Miller guest starred in six episodes of NBC's The Name of the Game from 1969 to 1971. Four of those appearances was as Ross Craig, Glenn Howard's (Gene Barry) other executive assistant. He appeared as Howard Jones in 13 episodes of Bright Promise in 1970. He played J.R. Barnett in 17 episodes of Days of Our Lives from 1975 to 1976.
Some of his other drama guest appearances included I Spy, Gunsmoke, The Millionaire, The Tall Man, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Stoney Burke, Hawaiian Eye, The Twilight Zone, The Invaders, The Smith Family, The F.B.I. (1972), Adam-12, Cannon, Emergency!, Barnaby Jones, Kung Fu, The Waltons, Marcus Welby, M.D. (2 episodes), Harry O and The Streets of San Francisco (2 episodes).
Miller's other writing credits included The Jeffersons, Diff'rent Strokes (3 episodes), Together We Stand (2 episodes), What a Dummy (2 episodes) and The Munsters Today (4 episodes).
He wrote, produced and starred in the 1982 family film Savannah Smiles. It was about two vagabonds named Alvie (Miller) and Boots (Dononvan Scott) who befriend six-year-old Savannah (Bridgette Andersen). He wrote, produced and appeared in the 1974 comedy-drama film Ginger in the Morning, which starred Sissy Spacek. He wrote and starred as Gabe Sweet alongside Slim Pickens in Christmas Mountain: The Story of a Cowboy Angel (1981). Some of his other film credits included Youngblood Hawke (1964), Mr. Sycamore (1975) and Dixie Dynamite (1976).
Scoey Mitchell (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor, writer and director Scoey Mitchell (usually credited as Scoey Mitchlll) starred on the 1970 sitcom Barefoot in the Park and had a recurring role on Rhoda. He died of kidney failure on March 19, 2022, in a hospice-care facility in Torrance, California. Mr. Mitchell was 92.
Mitchell starred as Paul Bratter on the short-lived 1970 ABC sitcom Barefoot in the Park. The series was based on Neil Simon's Broadway play of the same name that was later a 1967 film starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda. It was the the first American television sitcom since Amos 'n' Andy to have a predominantly black cast (Vito Scotti is the sole major white character). Paul Bratter is a newlywed attorney for the law firm Kendricks, Keene & Klein living in lower Manhattan with his wife Corie (Tracy Reed). After Mitchell was fired due to "differences of opinion" with the series' producers, the series was canceled after 12 episodes. It also starred Thelma Carpenter, Nipsey Russell, Harry Holcombe and Vito Scotti.
He had a recurring role as Justin Culp, Joe Gerard's (David Groh) wrecking company field employee, in nine episodes of the CBS sitcom Rhoda from 1974 to 1976. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Get Smart, The Mothers-in-Law, Here Come the Brides, That Girl, The Odd Couple (uncredited), Doc, Taxi, Stockard Channing in Just Friends and A New Kind of Family.
Mitchell created and produced the short-lived 1986-1987 NBC sitcom Me & Mrs. C. He also directed four episodes and wrote five episodes of the series, which was about a sixtyish white widow (Ethel Conklin - Mrs. C) taking in a young black girl (Gerri Kilgore) as a boarder. He appeared in two episodes as Reverend Kilgore. In 1984, he co-directed and wrote the TV movie Me & Mrs. C. The series starred Peg Murray, Misha McK, Gary Bayer and Ellen Regan.
He created and produced the short-lived 1989-1990 NBC sitcom 13 East, which was set at the nursing station of Ward 13 East, at a large hospital. Mitchell also directed seven episodes. The series starred Diana Bellamy, Jan Cobler, Barbara Isenberg, Ellen Regan, Timothy Wade, Marie Denn, Wayne Powers, Rosemarie Jackson, Eric Glenn and Philip Proctor.
His career began on the CBS comedy/variety series The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967. He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show six times from 1968 to 1970. He was a regular on the 1969 ABC comedy/variety series What's It All About, World?.
Some of his television drama guest appearances included The Six Million Dollar Man, Joe Forrester, Police Story (2 episodes), Baretta (2 episodes) and Lou Grant.
He frequently appeared on game shows in the 1970s, including The Hollywood Squares, Tattletales, Password Plus, Match Game, Match Game PM and Super Password (1988).
Mitchell played Richard Pryor's father in the 1986 film Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling.
Actor Robert Morse starred on the 1968-1969 ABC music/comedy That's Life. He died from heart failure at his home in Los Angeles, California, on April 20, 2022. Mr. Morse was 90.
Morse starred as Robert Dickson on the 1968-1969 series That's Life, which attempted to blend the musical genre with a situation comedy centered on newlyweds "Robert" and "Gloria" (played by E. J. Peaker).
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Phil Silvers Show (uncredited), Love, American Style (2 episodes), One Day at a Time, You Again?, Union Square and Suddenly Susan.
Roger E. Mosley (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Roger E. Mosley was best known for his role as the helicopter pilot Theodore "T.C." Calvin on Magnum, P.I.. On August 4, 2022, he was involved in a car accident in Lynwood, California, becoming paralyzed from the shoulders down. He died three days later on August 7 from his injuries at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Mosley was 83.
Mosley starred as Theodore "T.C." Calvin on the crime drama Magnum, P.I., which aired on CBS from 1980 to 1988. Theodore "T.C." Calvin runs a one-person local helicopter charter and tour van service called "Island Hoppers", and often finds himself persuaded by Magnum (Tom Selleck) to fly him during various cases. Mosley directed an episode in 1984 and wrote an episode in 1986.
He starred as Michael Kirkland on the short-lived 1990-1991 CBS sitcom You Take the Kids. The series starred Nell Carter, who also performed the theme song "Nobody's Got It Easy". Nell's husband Michael worked as a school bus driver while Nell gave piano lessons at the family home for extra money. It also starred Dante Beze, Caryn Ward, Marlon Taylor, Trent Cameron and Leila Danette.
Mosley had a recurring role as Coach Ricketts in 10 episodes of the first season (1992-1993) of the ABC sitcom Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. He is the coach of the Oakbridge Penguins boys' basketball team. The cast of the first season included Mark Curry, Holly Robinson (Peete), Dawnn Lewis, Omar Gooding, Marquise Wilson, George Lemore and Christopher Carter.
He starred as Milton 'Milt' Johnson on the second season (1999-2000) of the Showtime comedy Rude Awakening. The cast included Sherilyn Fenn, Lynn Redgrave, Jonathan Penner and Rain Pryor.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Sanford and Son, That's My Mama, The Love Boat, Night Court (2 episodes), The Sinbad Show, In the House and Arli$$.
He appeared as John Booky, T.C.'s (Stephen Hill) barber, in two episodes of the Magnum, P.I. reboot in 2019 and 2021. Some of his other television drama guest appearances included Cannon, Night Gallery (2 episodes), The Streets of San Francisco, Kung Fu, Kojak, McCloud, Baretta, The Rookies, Delvecchio, The Rockford Files, Starsky and Hutch (2 episodes), RoboCop (1994), Walker, Texas Ranger (2000), The District and Las Vegas.
Some of his film credits included Hit Man (1972), The Mack (1973), Sweet Jesus, Preacherman (1973), Terminal Island (1974), McQ (1974), Leadbelly (1976), The Greatest (1977), Semi-Tough (1977), Heart Condition (1990), Unlawful Entry (1992) and Pentathlon (1994).
Child actress Susan Neher starred on To Rome with Love and Getting Together. She died on August 2, 2022, in Salem, Oregon. Ms. Neher was 63.
Neher starred as Penny Endicott on the 1969-1961 CBS sitcom To Rome with Love. Penny Endicott is the daughter of Michael Endicott (John Forsythe). The cast included Kay Medford (1969-1970), Joyce Menges, Melanie Fullerton, Peggy Mondo, Vito Scotti, Gerald Michenaud and Walter Brennan (1970-1971).
She starred as Jennifer Conway on the 1971-1972 ABC sitcom Getting Together. It starred Bobby Sherman and Wes Stern as Bobby Conway and Lionel Poindexter, a songwriting duo. Jennifer Conway is the sister of Bobby Conway. The cast included Jack Burns and Pat Carroll.
Neher originated the role of Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days in its first iteration as a segment of the anthology series Love, American Style in 1972. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Family Affair, The Partridge Family (2 episodes) and Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers.
From the 1980s, Neher, who later used the first name Suzanna, spent considerable time volunteering for a variety of social organizations in and around Pasadena, California, including the Los Angeles Free Clinic and AbilityFirst.
Television and film director Gary Nelson worked on Get Smart, The Patty Duke Show, Gilligan's Island and The Doris Day Show. He died in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 25, 2022. Mr. Nelson was 87.
Some of his sitcom directing credits included The Baileys of Balboa, The Andy Griffith Show, O.K. Crackerby!, Please Don't Eat the Daisies, The Patty Duke Show (14 episodes), It's About Time, F Troop (2 episodes), Occasional Wife, Gilligan's Island (8 episodes), Captain Nice (7 episodes), Good Morning World (11 episodes), Get Smart (23 episodes), The Doris Day Show (9 episodes), The Ghost & Mrs. Muir (9 episodes), Arnie (3 episodes), The Courtship of Eddie's Father (3 episodes), Love, American Style (11 episodes), The Little People (4 episodes) and Adam's Rib.
Television and film producer worked on The Kids From C.A.P.E.R. from 1976 to 1977 and Quark from 1977 to 1978. He guest starred in a 1968 episode of Get Smart. He died in Beverly Hills, California, on January 21, 2022. Mr. Neufeld was 93.
Lindsey Pearlman (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Lindsey Pearlman had a recurring role as Martha on The Ms. Pat Show. She died on February 18, 2022, by suicide by intentional overdose of sodium nitrite. Ms. Pearlman was 43.
Pearlman appeared as Martha, Principal Horner's assistant at Ridgewood High School, in four episodes of the BET+ sitcom The Ms. Pat Show in 2021.
She guest starred as Eve in a 2019 episode of American Housewife.
Comedy writer and producer Gene Perret won three Emmys for his work on The Carol Burnett Show. He died from liver failure on November 15, 2022. Mr. Perret was 85.
Some of his sitcom writing credits included The Tim Conway Show, Love, American Style (1973), All in the Family, C.P.O. Sharkey, What's Happening!! (2 episodes), Welcome Back, Kotter (5 episodes), Three's Company (2 episodes), Gimme a Break! and Mama's Family (5 episodes).
Nehemiah Persoff (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Character actor Nehemiah Persoff made many sitcom guest appearances. He died on April 5, 2022, of heart failure at a rehabilitation facility in San Luis Obispo, California. Mr. Persoff was 102.
He guest starred as Pancho Hernando Gonzalez Enriques Rodriguez in "The Little Dictator" episode of Gilligan's Island, which was the favorite episode of creator Sherwood Schwartz. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Flying Nun, The Bill Cosby Show, The Chicago Teddy Bears, Love, American Style (2 episodes), Delta House, Barney Miller (3 episodes), The Facts of Life and Doogie Howser, M.D.
Maggie Peterson (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress and singer Maggie Peterson (sometimes credited as Maggie Mancuso) was best known for playing Charlene Darling on The Andy Griffith Show. She died in her sleep, surrounded by family and friends, on May 15, 2022 in Colorado. She had been in declining health following the death of her husband Gus. Ms. Peterson was 81.
Peterson guest starred as Charlene Darling on five episodes of the CBS sitcom The Andy Griffith Show from 1963 to 1966. The Darlings are a fictional family of musically inclined hillbillies. Charlene Darling is the only daughter of Briscoe Darling (Denver Pyle). She is an attractive but naïve young, blonde woman who often caused trouble for Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) and his family with her flirtatious behavior and her belief in mountain lore. The Darling Boys were played by The Dillards, an American bluegrass band. She performed on the songs "Salty Dog Blues," "Shady Grove," and "There Is a Time." Peterson reprised her role of Charlene Darling in the 1986 NBC TV movie Return to Mayberry.
She returned in the final season of The Andy Griffith Show in 1968 to play the character of Doris, the dating interest to Sam Jones (Ken Berry), in the episode "A Girl for Goober."
Peterson starred as Susie, a waitress in the coffee shop at the Park Central Hotel, on eight episodes of the second season (1964) of the 1963-1965 NBC sitcom The Bill Dana Show. The plot follows the daily lifestyle of Latin American José Jiménez (Bill Dana), as a bellhop in a New York City hotel. The series was a spin-off from Make Room for Daddy, which showed the character of José as an elevator operator before he became a bellhop. The cast included Jonathan Harris, Gary Crosby (1963-1964) and Don Adams.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (as Eileen Carson in "The Blind Date"), The Queen and I (1969), Love, American Style (1970), Green Acres (2 episodes), Mayberry R.F.D. (as Edna, a cafe waitress) and The Odd Couple (2 episodes).
She starred as the innocent Rose Ellen Wilkerson in the 1969 film The Love God?, starring next to Don Knotts. She played Mrs. Toback in the 1969 film Angel in My Pocket, which starred Andy Griffith.
She lived in Las Vegas where she worked for the Nevada Film Commission as a location scout for film and television. She was married to her husband Gus Mancuso, a jazz musician, for more than 40 years until his death on December 9, 2021.
Actor Andrew Prine starred as Steven in the science-fiction miniseries V and its sequel V: The Final Battle. He made several sitcom guest appearances. He died of natural causes while vacationing in Paris, France, on October 31, 2022. Mr. Prine was 86.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Love, American Style (1969), The Courtship of Eddie's Father, One Day at a Time, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, Married with Children and Weird Science.
Voice actor Jan Rabson made a number of sitcom guest appearances. He died of a heart attack on October 13, 2022, in Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Rabson was 68.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included One Day at a Time, The Facts of Life, Cheers, AfterMASH, What's Happening Now!!, Empty Nest, Knight & Daye, Designing Women, Just the Ten of Us, Night Court, Growing Pains, Parker Lewis Can't Lose, The New WKRP in Cincinnati and Almost Perfect.
Film director, writer and producer Bob Rafelson was one of the creators of the pop group and TV series The Monkees with BBS partner Bert Schneider. He died from lung cancer at his home in Aspen, Colorado, on July 23, 2022. Mr. Rafelson was 89.
Rafelson and Schneider won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series as producers in 1967. Rafelson wrote two episodes and directed six episodes of the series.
Character actor Richard Roat guest starred on many sitcoms. He died of a heart attack on August 5, 2022, in Newport Beach, California. Mr. Roat was 89.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Room 222, The Paul Lynde Show, Holmes and Yoyo, The Bob Newhart Show, Happy Days, The Bad News Bears, The Associates, Newhart, Cheers, You Again?, ALF, Growing Pains, Amen, It's Garry Shandling's Show, Night Court, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Grand, The Golden Girls (2 episodes), Who's the Boss?, Step by Step, Mad About You, Grace Under Fire, The Nanny, Living Single, Murphy Brown, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Coach, Seinfeld, Cybill and Friends.
He starred as Dr. Jerry Chandler on the NBC daytime drama The Doctors.
Peter Robbins (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Child actor Peter Robbins was best known for being the first actor to voice Charlie Brown in the Peanuts animated specials. He died by suicide on January 18, 2022, in Oceanside, California. He had a lifelong battle with mental illness. Mr. Robbins was 65.
Robbins provided the voice of Charlie Brown, whom he considered to be his childhood hero, in one television documentary, six Peanuts television specials and one movie from 1963 to 1969, including the film A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1969) and the television specials A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966).
He starred as Alexander Bumstead on the short-lived 1968-1969 CBS sitcom Blondie, which was an updated version of the 1957 TV series that was based on the comic strip of the same name. Alexander Bumstead is the son of Dagwood Bumstead (Will Hutchins) and Blondie (Patricia Harty). The series also starred Jim Backus, Pamelyn Ferdin, Henny Backus, Bobbi Jordan and Bryan O'Bourne.
Robbins played Elmer Dudley in The Munsters episode "Rock-a-Bye Munster" in 1964. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Donna Reed Show, The Farmer's Daughter, The Joey Bishop Show, Love on a Rooftop, F Troop, Get Smart and My Three Sons.
His drama guest appearances included Rawhide, The F.B.I. and Bracken's World. He appeared as Grover Martin in the 1963 film A Ticklish Affair, which starred Shirley Jones, Gig Young and Red Buttons. He played Brandon in the 1967 film Good Times, which starred Sonny & Cher.
He retired from the entertainment industry in 1972, and later pursued his career in real estate, with brief stints in radio.
Freddie Roman (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Stand-up comedian and actor Freddie Roman had a recurring role as Herb on the Amazon Prime Video comedy-drama Red Oaks. He died in Boynton Beach, Florida, on November 26, 2022. Mr. Roman was 85.
Actor Andy Romano made a number of sitcom guest appearances. He died on September 14, 2022. Mr. Romano was 81.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included McHale's Navy, The Second Hundred Years, Bewitched, Here Come the Brides, M*A*S*H and WKRP in Cincinnati.
Romano had a recurring fole as Det. Joe Caruso on Get Christie Love. He had a recurring role as Deputy Chief Warren Briscoe on Hill Street Blues.
Stand-up comedian, writer and actor Kevin Rooney worked on My Wife and Kids and 'Til Death. He died of complications from diabetes and renal failure on July 19, 2022. Mr. Rooney was 71.
Rooney's sitcom writing credits included The Golden Palace, The Naked Truth, Boston Common, The Weber Show, My Wife and Kids (6 episodes), Brothers (2009) and 'Til Death (3 episodes).
His producing credits included The Weber Show, My Wife and Kids, Brothers (2009) and 'Til Death.
He guest starred in a 1983 episode of Cheers.
Mitchell Ryan (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Mitchell Ryan starred as Edward Montgomery on Dharma & Greg. He died of heart failure at his home in Los Angeles on March 4, 2022. Mr. Ryan was 88.
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.
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.
Actor, television host and stand-up comedian Bob Saget starred as Danny Tanner on Full House. He died on January 9, 2022, at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, south of Orlando, Florida, near Williamsburg. He had blunt head trauma from an accidental blow to the back of his head, likely from a fall, and subsequently died from the resulting injuries (subdural hematoma and subarachnoid hemorrhage) in his sleep. Mr. Saget was 65.
Saget's first television credit was as Bob the Comic in a 1981 episode of Bosom Buddies. He was also the audience warm-up comedian for the series. Some of his early guest appearances included At Ease in 1983, The Greatest American Hero in 1983, New Love, American Style (4 episodes) in 1985 and It's a Living in 1986.
He starred as Danny Tanner on the 1987-1995 ABC sitcom Full House. The popular series ran for eight seasons and 192 episodes. The show chronicles the events of widowed father Danny Tanner who enlists his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis (John Stamos) and best friend Joey Gladstone (Dave Coulier) to help raise his three daughters, eldest D.J. (Candace Cameron), middle child Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and youngest Michelle (Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen). He works as a sportscaster for Channel 8 News in the first season. He became the co-host of the morning talk show Wake Up, San Francisco starting in the second season. Saget was the producers' first choice to play the character of Danny Tanner, but he was not available to appear in the pilot due to his commitment as an on-air contributor to CBS's The Morning Program. John Posey played Danny Tanner in the show's unaired pilot, which is included on the DVD release of Season 1. The rest of the cast included Andrea Barber, Lori Loughlin (1988-1995), Scott Weinger (1991-1993) and Blake and Dylan Tuomy-Wilhoit (1992-1995).
Saget starred as Matt Stewart on the short-lived 2001-2002 The WB sitcom Raising Dad. Matt Stewart is a widower trying to raise his two daughters, Sarah (Kat Dennings) and Emily (Brie Larson), with the help of his live-in father, Sam (Jerry Adler), a former baseball player for the Boston Red Sox. The cast included Meagan Good, Andy Kindler, Ben Idra, Beau Wirick, Camille Guaty, Tembi Locke and Riley Smith (2002).
He was the voice of narrator Ted Mosby on the 2005-2014 CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. Future Ted Mosby in the year 2030 tells his son Luke (David Henrie) and daughter Penny (Lyndsy Fonseca) the story of how he met their mother. The cast included Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan and Cristin Milioti (2013-2014).
Saget starred as Steve Patterson on the short-lived 2009 ABC sitcom Surviving Suburbia. The series focused on a father named Steve Patterson, his wife Anne (Cynthia Stevenson), and their two children, Henry (Jared Kusnitz) and Courtney (G. Hannelius). The cast included Jere Burns, Dan Cortese, Lyndsey Jolly, Lorna Scott and Melissa Peterman.
He reprised his role as Danny Tanner in ten episodes of Full House's sequel series Fuller House, which aired for five seasons on Netflix from 2016 to 2020. Saget appeared in the series premiere and finale. Danny Tanner was D.J. and Stephanie's father, and the grandfather of Jackson, Max, Tommy Jr. and Dani on the series. The main cast included Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber, Michael Campion, Elias Harger, Soni Nicole Bringas, Dashiell and Fox Messitt, Juan Pablo Di Pace, Scott Weinger, John Brotherton, Ashley Liao and Adam Hagenbuch. Recurring cast members included John Stamos, Dave Coulier and Lori Loughlin.
Saget was the original host of ABC's America's Funniest Home Videos from 1989 to 1997. The show featured humorous homemade videos that are submitted by viewers. In 2009, he returned to AFV for the 20th anniversary one-hour special co-hosted with Tom Bergeron. He appeared on AFV: America, This is You!, a 30th anniversary special episode, in 2019 with Alfonso Ribeiro joined by Daisy Fuentes and Tom Bergeron.
He played a parody of himself in four episodes of Entourage from 2005 to 2010. He also appeared in the 2015 feature film. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Larry Sanders Show (two episodes as himself), The Jeff Foxworthy Show, The Naked Truth, Norm, Listen Up, Louie, Super Fun Night, Legit, Grandfathered and Nightcap.
Saget hosted the NBC game show 1 vs. 100 from 2006 to 2008. He hosted ABC's Videos After Dark on March 12, 2019. In 2020, he competed in season four of The Masked Singer as "Squiggly Monster".
He played Dr. Joffe in the 1987 film Critical Condition, which starred Richard Pryor. He had an uncredited cameo appearance as a cocaine addict in the 1998 film Half Baked. His voice credits included Madagascar (2005) and Casper's Scare School (2006). He was the voice of Carl and the writer, director and producer of the 2007 direct-to-video parody nature documentary Farce of the Penguins.
Saget directed the 1996 ABC television movie For Hope, which was inspired by the life story of his sister, Gay Saget, who had died from scleroderma three years earlier. He directed the 1998 film Dirty Work, which starred Norm Macdonald and Artie Lange.
He was also known for his adult-oriented stand-up comedy. His 2014 album That's What I'm Talkin' About was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album.
Hall of Fame sportscaster Vin Scully was best known for his 67 seasons calling games for Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, beginning in 1950 (when the franchise was located in Brooklyn) and ending in 2016. He died on August 2, 2022, at his home in Hidden Hills, California. Mr. Scully was 94.
Scully was the uncredited narrator for the 1966-1967 NBC sitcom Occasional Wife. The lead character was Peter Christopher (Michael Callan), a bachelor who enjoyed the single life, but was blocked from professional advancement by not having a wife. Christopher asked a young hat check girl, Greta Patterson (Patricia Harty), to pose as his wife at company functions. Scully commented on the increasingly complicated problems created by the arrangement between Peter and Greta.
His voice as an announcer was heard in episodes of Mister Ed, The Joey Bishop Show and Brooklyn Bridge. Some of his other television voice credits included General Electric Theater, Michael Shayne, The New Breed, Alcoa Premiere, The Fugitive, Highway to Heaven and The X-Files.
He served as the host for the NBC game show It Takes Two in 1969-1970. He hosted The Vin Scully Show, a weekday afternoon talk-variety show on CBS in 1973. In 1977, he hosted the prime-time Challenge of the Sexes for CBS.
George Shapiro (IMDB/Wikipedia/The Interviews: An Oral History of Television)
Talent manager and television producer George Shapiro represented Jerry Seinfeld and Andy Kaufman, and served as a producer for the sitcom Seinfeld. He died of natural causes on May 26, 2022, at his home in Beverly Hills, California, a week after his 91st birthday.
Shapiro's career began in the mailroom at the William Morris Agency in New York where he advanced rapidly within the company and soon became an agent. He packaged programs such as The Steve Allen Show, That Girl and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.. He also packaged a number of specials for Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing.
Shapiro was Andy Kaufman's personal manager for many years. He was the executive producer for Andy's Funhouse on ABC in 1979 and the Showtime special Andy Kaufman at Carnegie Hall in 1980. He was executive producer on the 1999 Universal biopic Man on the Moon, starring Jim Carrey in the role of Andy Kaufman and Danny DeVito as Shapiro. Shapiro had a cameo in the movie as Mr. Besserman.
Shapiro and his partner and friend Howard West launched Shapiro/West Associates in 1973. Seinfeld was produced by West-Shapiro Productions and Castle Rock Entertainment, and distributed by Columbia Pictures Television. Shapiro was Jerry Seinfeld's longtime manager. He was an executive producer for Jerry Seinfeld: Stand-Up Confidential in 1987, The Seinfeld Story in 2004 and the 2010-2011 NBC reality show and panel game The Marriage Ref.
Actress Liz Sheridan was best known for her roles as Raquel Ochmonek on ALF and as Helen Seinfeld on Seinfeld. She died on April 15, 2022, at her home in Manhattan, five days after her 93rd birthday.
Sheridan had a recurring role as nosy neighbor Raquel Ochmonek on the 1986-1990 NBC sitcom ALF. Raquel and Trevor Ochmonek (John LaMotta) are the dense neighbors of the Tanner family who never figured out what was going on. Jake Ochmonek (Josh Blake, Seasons 2-3) is their nephew. Sheridan was credited on 34 episodes of the series. The cast of ALF included Paul Fusco (voice only), Max Wright, Anne Schedeen, Andrea Elson, Benji Gregory and Jim J. Bullock (Season 4).
She had a recurring role as Helen Seinfeld on the 1989-1998 NBC sitcom Seinfeld. Helen Seinfeld is Jerry's (Jerry Seinfeld) overprotective mother. She is married to Morty Seinfeld (Barney Martin - Morty was first played by Phil Bruns in the second episode). Sheridan guest starred on 34 episodes of the series from 1990 to 1998. She was the only secondary character to appear in all nine seasons.
Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Archie Bunker's Place, Gimme a Break!, Oh Madeline, One Day at a Time, Three's a Crowd, It's Your Move, Newhart, Brothers, Who's the Boss?, Easy Street, Throb, Family Ties, It's a Living, Good Grief, Herman's Head, Empty Nest (2 episodes), Tom, Blossom, Double Rush, Cleghorne! (2 episodes) and Complete Savages. She provided the voice of Mrs. Stillman for seven episodes of the Fox animated series Life with Louie from 1994 to 1997. She was the voice of Mrs. Rothberg for a 2007 episode of American Dad!.
She appeared as Nurse Greta Bayley on three episodes of Santa Barbara in 1985. Some of her other television drama guest appearances included Kojak, The White Shadow, Tucker's Witch, St. Elsewhere, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, Riptide, Moonlighting, The A-Team (2 episodes), Hill Street Blues, Remington Steele, Cagney & Lacey, Equal Justice, Murder, She Wrote (1991), Melrose Place, Sliders, Noah Knows Best and Numb3rs.
Sheridan starred as Edna Gordon in the 2009 feature film Play the Game, a romantic comedy about a widowed grandfather (Andy Griffith) who learns dating tricks from his serial romancer of a grandson (Paul Campbell). Doris Roberts played Rose Sherman. It was Andy Griffith's final film credit.
She started out in show business as a dancer. She was reportedly engaged to James Dean in 1952. In 2000, she wrote wrote a book, Dizzy & Jimmy: My Life with James Dean: A Love Story, chronicling their time together in the early 1950s. She appeared on stage in plays and musicals on Broadway, co-starring with Meryl Streep and Christopher Lloyd in the 1977 musical, Happy End, before moving to Los Angeles.
Charles Siebert (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor and television director Charles Siebert was best known for his role as Dr. Stanley Riverside II on Trapper John, M.D., a role which he portrayed from 1979 to 1986. He died on May 1, 2022, of COVID-related pneumonia at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco, California. Mr. Siebert was 84.
Siebert starred as Dixon Carter Fielding on the short-lived 1978 CBS sitcom Husbands, Wives & Lovers, which was created by Joan Rivers and Hal Dresner. The series focused on the relationships of five suburban couples living in the San Fernando Valley. Dixon Carter Fielding was Ron Willis' (Ron Rifkin) best friend and a stuffy divorce lawyer who was also representing Helene Willis (Jesse Welles) in the separation proceedings. The cast included Stephen Pearlman, Cynthia Harris, Eddie Barth, Lynnne Marie Stewart, Mark Lonow, Randee Heller and Claudette Nevins.
He had a recurring role as Jerry Davenport on six episodes of the CBS sitcom One Day at a Time in 1978. Mr. Connors (John Hillerman) and Jerry Davenport were Ann Romano's (Bonnie Franklin) bosses at the advertising agency of Connors and Davenport.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Sandy Duncan Show, The Bob Crane Show, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (as Buzz MacGregor in 1977), What's Happening!!, Maude, Rhoda (as Dr. Murray Berger), All in the Family (3 episodes), Good Times and The Love Boat (3 episodes). He played Charlie Davis, the husband of Miss Bliss (Hayley Mills), in the 1987 pilot episode of Good Morning, Miss Bliss.
Siebert starred as Dr. Stanley Riverside II on the CBS medical drama Trapper John, M.D., which aired from 1979 to 1986. Dr. Stanley Riverside II is a pompous, status-seeking, but nonetheless capable doctor whose father is the head of the hospital board of directors at San Francisco Memorial Hospital. He later marries a dentist named E.J. (Marcia Rodd).
Some of his drama guest appearances included Search for Tomorrow, As the World Turns, Another World, Harry O, Delvecchio, Kojak, Police Woman, The Rockford Files (2 episodes),The Incredible Hulk, The Blue Knight (2 episodes as Sgt. Cabe in 1976), Barnaby Jones (3 episodes), Dallas, Here's Boomer, The New Mike Hammer, Hotel (2 episodes), Mancusco, FBI (3 episodes as Dr. Paul Summers in 1989 and 1990), Matlock, Murder, She Wrote (3 episodes) and Xena: Warrior Princess.
Siebert began his television directing career by directing seven episodes of Trapper John, M.D. from 1982 to 1986. Some of his other television drama directing credits included Mancuso, FBI (1990), Lifestories, Palace Guard (2 episodes), Knots Landing, Jack's Place (2 episodes), Vanishing Son (2 episodes), Renegade (3 episodes), The Pretender, Pacific Blue (5 episodes), Silk Stalkings (8 episodes), Mortal Kombat: Conquest (3 episodes), Pensacola: Wings of Gold (5 episodes), Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (7 episodes) and Xena: Warrior Princess (8 episodes).
Helen Slayton-Hughes (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Helen Slayton-Hughes was best known for playing Ethel Beavers on Parks and Recreation. She died in her sleep on December 7, 2022. Ms. Slayton-Hughes was 92.
She appeared as Ethel Beavers in 11 episodes of the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation from 2011 to 2015. Ethel Beavers is is an elderly town employee, who continues to work as the municipal stenographer.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Drew Carey Show, Malcolm in the Middle (2 episodes), One on One, Oliver Beene (2 episodes), That's So Raven (2 episodes), Arrested Development, My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Men at Work, New Girl (2 episodes), The Middle, Fresh Off the Boat, Single Parents and Rutherford Falls.
Actor Paul Sorvino starred as NYPD Sergeant Phil Cerreta on Law & Order. His first TV series starring role was on the short-lived 1975 sitcom We'll Get By. He died of natural causes at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, on July 25, 2022. Mr. Sorvino was 83.
Sorvino's first weekly television series starring role was as George Platt on the short-lived 1975 CBS sitcom We'll Get By. The series, which was created by Alan Alda, featured a typical middle-class New Jersey family, the Platts. George Platt worked as a lawyer. He and his wife, Liz (Mitzi Hoag), had three teenage children: Muff (Jerry Houser), Kenny (Willie Aames) and Andrea (Devon Scott).
He starred as Sergeant Bert D'Angelo on the short-lived 1976 ABC police drama Bert D'Angelo/Superstar. He played Detective Ike Porter on the 1987-1988 CBS police drama The Oldest Rookie. He starred as Sergeant Phil Cerreta in 31 episodes of the second and third seasons of the NBC police procedural and legal drama Law & Order from 1991 to 1992. From 2000 to 2002, he starred as Frank DeLucca on the CBS comedy-drama That's Life. He also directed two episodes of That's Life in 2001 and 2002. In 2017, he appeared as Nicolo Rizzuto Sr. on the Canadian crime drama Bad Blood. He played Frank Costello in the Epix crime drama Godfather of Harlem from 2019 to 2021.
Sorvino had a recurring role as Al Miller, the father of Bill Miller (Mark Addy), in four episodes of the CBS sitcom Still Standing from 2004 to 2006. He played Ben "Pop-Pop" Goldberg, the father of Murray Goldberg (Jeff Garlin), in a season two episode of The Goldbergs in 2014. The character was later played by Judd Hirsch. He guest starred as Jack Martino, the father of James "Jimmy" Martino (John Stamos), in a 2016 episode of Grandfathered.
He guest starred as David Addison Sr., the father of David Addison Jr. (Bruce Willis), in a 1986 episode of Moonlighting. Some of his other television drama guest appearances included The Streets of San Francisco, Murder, She Wrote (1989), Star Trek: The Next Generation, Jack & Bobby, Elementary and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.
Sorvino starred as Lucchese crime family caporegime Paulie Cicero (based on real life gangster Paul Vario) in Martin Scorsese's 1990 gangster film Goodfellas. Some of his other film credits included A Touch of Class (1973), Oh, God! (1977), Bloodbrothers (1978), Reds (1981), That Championship Season (1982), The Stuff (1985), Dick Tracy (1990), The Rocketeer (1991), Nixon (1995), Romeo + Juliet (1996) and The Cooler (2003).
Morgan Stevens (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Morgan Stevens starred on Fame and in A Year in the Life. He was found dead at his home in Los Angeles on January 26, 2022. He died of arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Mr. Stevens was 70.
Stevens portrayed teacher David Reardon in two seasons of Fame from 1982 to 1984. He then became Jack Gardner in the miniseries and subsequent series A Year in the Life from 1986–1988. In 1995, he appeared in seven episodes of Melrose Place as Nick Diamond.
Some of his sitcom guest apppearances included One Day at a Time (2 episodes as Fred), Brothers (1985) and The Love Boat (3 episodes).
Actor and comedian Larry Storch was best known for his role Corporal Randolph Agarn on F Troop. He died in his sleep at his home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan on July 8, 2022. Mr. Storch was 99.
Storch's early sitcom guest appearances included The Phil Silvers Show (2 episodes), Hennesey, Car 54, Where Are You? (4 episodes), The Baileys of Balboa and Gilligan's Island. He starred on the 1953 CBS comedy-variety series The Larry Storch Show.
He starred as bumbling and scheming Corporal Randolph Agarn on the 1965-1967 ABC sitcom F Troop. Corporal Randolph Agarn is Sergeant Morgan O'Rourke's (Forrest Tucker) somewhat dimwitted sidekick and business partner in the shady O'Rourke Enterprises. Storch was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series in 1967. The cast included Ken Berry, Melody Patterson, Frank de Kova, Don Diamond, James Hampton, Bob Steele and Joe Brooks.
Storch starred as Charles Duffy on the short-lived 1969 CBS sitcom The Queen and I. Charles Duffy is a junior officer serving a once popular but now aging and run-down cruise ship, the Amsterdam Queen. The series also starred Billy De Wolfe, Carl Ballantine, Pat Morita, Barbara Stuart, Dave Morick, Liam Dunn and Dave Willock.
He starred as Eddie Spencer on the short-lived but popular 1975 CBS Saturday morning children's show The Ghost Busters. The live-action children's sitcom is about a team of bumbling detectives who investigate ghostly occurrences. The series also starred Forrest Tucker and Bob Burns.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included I Dream of Jeannie, The Mothers-in-Law, Get Smart, He & She (2 episodes), That Girl, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (2 episodes), The Flying Nun, My World and Welcome to It, The Debbie Reynolds Show, The Doris Day Show (4 episodes), All in the Family, The New Temperatures Rising Show (2 episodes), Love, American Style (5 episodes), Phyllis, C.P.O. Sharkey, The Love Boat (3 episodes), Phyl & Mikhy, Harper Valley PTA, Small & Frye, Out of This World and Married with Children.
Storch was also known for his voiceover work for cartoon shows. He was the voice of Phineas J. Whoopee on Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales. Some of his other voice credits included Out of the Inkwell, Groovie Goolies, Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1969-1972) and The Brady Kids. He was the voice of Cool Cat in the 1967 short film Cool Cat. He provided the voice of Merlin the Magic Mouse from 1968 to 1969.
He appeared in more than 25 films. Some of his credits included Gun Fever (1958), Who Was That Lady? (1960), 40 Pounds of Trouble, (1962), Captain Newman, M.D. (1963), Wild and Wonderful (1964), Sex and the Single Girl (1964) and The Great Race (1965).
Actor Joe E. Tata starred as Private Mike Neddick on No Time for Sergeants. He died of complications from Alzheimer's disease on August 24, 2022, at a care facility in the Woodland Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles. Mr. Tata was 85.
Tata appeared as Private Mike Neddick in five episodes of the 1964-1965 ABC sitcom No Time for Sergeants.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (2 episodes), Mister Roberts, Hank (1965), The Good Guys (1969), Green Acres, Love, American Style (1973) and Mystery Girls.
He was known for his regular role (1990–2000) as Nat Bussichio, the owner and operator of the Peach Pit diner, in Beverly Hills, 90210 and its spin-off 90210.
Actress Susan Tolsky starred as Biddie Cloom on Here Come the Brides. She died of natural causes at her Toluca Lake home in Los Angeles on October 9, 2022. Ms. Tolsky was 79.
Tolsky starred as Biddie Cloom on the 1968-1970 ABC comedy western Here Come the Brides. The series was loosely based on Asa Mercer's efforts in the 1860s to import marriageable women (the Mercer Girls) from the East Coast cities of the United States to Seattle, where there was a shortage. The cast included Robert Brown, Bobby Sherman, David Soul, Joan Blondell, Bridget Hanley, Mark Lenard, Bo Svensen, Henry Beckman, Mitzi Hoag, Hoke Howell, Eric Chase (1969-1970) and Patti Cohoon (1969-1970).
She starred as Bernadette Van Gilder, Madame's shy secretary, on the 1982-1983 first-run syndicated sitcom Madame's Place. The series is based on the ribald, acerbic, aging-celebrity diva Madame, a puppet character portrayed by Wayland Flowers. The cast included Judy Landers, Johnny Haymer, Corey Feldman, Ty Henderson (recurring) and Edie McClurg (recurring).
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Second Hundred Years, Bewitched, Here's Lucy (2 episodes), Love, American Style (2 episodes), Barney Miller (2 episodes), Alice (4 episodes), Bustin' Loose and Webster.
She was also known for her voice work. She had a recurring role as Binkie Muddlefoot on Darkwing Duck from 1992 to 1993. Some of her other voice credits included Foofur, Fantastic Max, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures, TaleSpin, Goof Troop, Aladdin, Bobby's World, Hercules, Pepper Ann and The Buzz on Maggie.
Actress Rita Walter (originally credited by her maiden name Rita McLaughlin) appeared in the uncredited role of Patty Duke's double on The Patty Duke Show. She died on December 25, 2022. Ms. Walter was 71.
She was one of Don Herbert's child assistants in the Watch Mr. Wizard television series. She appeared in nine episodes of As the World Turns from 1972 to 1982.
Tucker Wiard (IMDB/Wikipedia/The Interviews: An Oral History of Television)
Television editor Tucker Wiard won five Emmy Awards for his work on The Carol Burnett Show and Murphy Brown. He died on August 28, 2022, of complications from heart failure in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Wiard was 80.
Some of his sitcom editor credits included Good Times, Detective School, Alice, Charles in Charge, My Sister Sam, Murphy Brown and Nikki.
Emmy-winning producer and director George Yanok worked on Welcome Back, Kotter. He died on April 29, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee. He suffered from lung cancer in the 18 months leading up to his death. Mr. Yanok was 83.
Yanok was a producer on Welcome Back, Kotter from 1976 to 1977. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1976 for his work. Some of his other sitcom producing credits included The Kallikaks, Tabitha, The Stockard Channing Show, Teachers Only, Too Close for Comfort, What a Country! and Out of This World.
He was one of the original writers of Hee Haw. Some of his sitcom writing credits included The Bob Newhart Show (1972), Love, American Style (2 episodes), Sanford and Son (2 episodes), The Practice (1976), The Kallikaks, Welcome Back, Kotter, (8 episodes - he also appeared as Mr. Ferguson in "Career Day"), Tabitha (2 episodes), The Stockard Channing Show (5 episodes), Teachers Only (4 episodes), 1st & Ten, Too Close for Comfort (8 episodes), What a Country! and Out of This World (3 episodes).
Yanok won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy, Variety or Music and Outstanding Comedy Series in 1974 and 1976, in recognition of his work on the comedy special Lily (1973) and The Lily Tomlin Special (1975).
Barrie Youngfellow (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Barrie Youngfellow starred as Jan Hoffmeyer Gray on It's a Living. She died on March 28, 2022. She called Woodstock, New York, her home since 1989. Ms. Youngfellow was 75.
Youngfellow starred as Dr. Gloria Manners on the short-lived 1978 ABC sitcom A.E.S. Hudson Street. The series, which ran for five episodes, follows the antics of the staff of a run-down Ambulance Emergency Service hospital on Hudson Street, on the lower west side of Manhattan. The cast included Gregory Sierra, Rosana DeSoto, Stefan Gierasch, Susan Peretz, Ralph Manza, Ray Stewart, Bill Cort and Allan Miller.
She starred as sharp-tongued and sarcastic waitress Jan Hoffmeyer Gray on the 1980-1982 ABC and 1985-1989 first-run syndicated sitcom It's a Living. The show follows the lives of the waitresses at the posh restaurant Above the Top, located at the top of the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Jan is a single mom who later marries Richie Gray (Richard Kline). The cast included Marian Mercer, Susan Sullivan (1980-1981), Gail Edwards, Wendy Schaal (1980-1981), Ann Jillian (1980-1986), Paul Kreppel, Bert Remsen (1980-1981), Louise Lasser (1981-1982), Earl Boen (1981-1982), Crystal Bernard (1985-1989), Richard Stahl (1985-1989) and Sheryl Lee Ralph (1986-1989).
She played Barbara Russo, Blossom Russo's (Mayim Bialik) mother, on the 1990 pilot episode of Blossom. She did not continue with the project when NBC picked it up as a regular series.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The New Temperatures Rising Show, Carter Country, Barney Miller (2 episodes), WKRP in Cincinnati, The Jeffersons, Three's Company, Good Time Harry and It Takes Two. She was a frequent guest on Fernwood 2 Night as Linda Barry.
Some of her other television guest appearances included The Streets of San Francisco, Police Woman, Emergency!, Trapper John, M.D. (2 episodes), Murder, She Wrote (1989) and Law & Order.
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Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Thursday, November 21
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage - "The 6:10 to Lubbock" (CBS, 10:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Georgie and Mandy get fed up staying with her parents and reconsider their living situation after a fight with Mandy’s mom, Audrey.
Ghosts - "Man of Your Dreams" (CBS, 10:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Sam learns that one of the ghosts’ powers is to enter the dreams of the livings and influence their decisions. Also, two of the ghosts think they’ve learned the secret to moving on.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of November 18)
Thursday, November 21
- Jim Gaffigan (The Jim Gaffigan Show/My Boys/The Ellen Show/Welcome to New York) - Catch Jim on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Rita Moreno (One Day at a Time/Happily Divorced/9 to 5) - Rita appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Justine Lupe (Nobody Wants This/Cristela), Jackie Tohn (Nobody Wants This/GLOW) and Timothy Simons (HouseBroken/Veep) - Justine, Jackie and Timothy are guests on After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Kristin Chenoweth (Trial & Error/Kristin) - Kristin appears on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 10pm on Bravo.
- Maura Tierney (NewsRadio/The Van Dyke Show) - Maura is in the studio to discuss the neww season of Law and Order on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
- Paul Reiser (Mad About You/Red Oaks/Married/My Two Dads) - Paul is telling Drew about his huge return to comedy after thirty years with his standup special, Life, Death and Rice Pudding, and his new movie The Gutter on The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- John O'Hurley (Seinfeld/Over the Top/The Mullets) - John will be on PIX11 Morning News on WPIX in New York at 9:40am.
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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