Friday, December 29, 2023
In Memoriam: Remembering the Sitcom Stars We Lost in 2023
Today we remember the sitcom actors, actresses, producers, directors, writers, and other crew members who died in 2023.
We lost stars from The Addams Family, Benson, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, Friends, It's a Living, Laverne & Shirley, McHale's Navy, Murphy Brown, My Two Dads, Night Court, Three's Company, 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.
Oscar-winning actor Alan Arkin starred as Norman Newlander on the Netflix comedy-drama series The Kominsky Method. He died at home in San Marcos, California, on June 29, 2023. His death was attributed to heart problems, of which he had a history. Mr. Arkin was 89.
Arkin starred as Harry Porschak on the short-lived 1987 ABC sitcom Harry. Harry Porschak is a wheeler-dealer supply clerk at County General Hospital. The series also starred Richard Lewis, Matt Craven, Barbara Dana, Holland Taylor, Kurt Knudson and Thom Bray.
He starred as Norman Newlander on the first two seasons (2018-2019) of the Netflix comedy-drama series The Kominsky Method. The Kominsky Method follows Sandy Kominsky (Michael Douglas), an actor who years ago had a brief fling with success and is now a revered Hollywood acting coach. Norman Newlander is Sandy's agent and friend. Arkin earned two consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
Arkin played Martin Adler, Grace's (Debra Messing) father, in a 2005 episode of Will & Grace. Robert Klein later took over the role. He guest starred as Grandpa in a 1977 episode of Busting Loose, which starred his son Adam Arkin. He provided the voice of J. D. Salinger for four episodes of BoJack Horseman from 2015 to 2016.
He starred as Judge Joe Rifkind on the 2001-2002 A&E legal drama 100 Centre Street. Some of his television guest appearances included East Side/West Side, Sesame Street (5 episodes), St. Elsewhere, and Chicago Hope.
Arkin won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as foul-mouthed grandfather Edwin Hoover in Little Miss Sunshine (2006). Some of his other film credits included The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming (1966), Wait Until Dark (1967), The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1968), Popi (1969), Catch-22 (1970), The In-Laws (1979), Edward Scissorhands (1990), Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (2001), Sunshine Cleaning (2007), Get Smart (2008), and Argo (2012).
He received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Tony Award as well as nominations for six Emmy Awards.
Jack Axelrod (IMDB)
Character actor Jack Axelrod played Electrolarynx Guy on My Name Is Earl. He died of natural causes on November 28, 2023. Mr. Axelrod was 93.
He had a recurring role as Electrolarynx Guy on the NBC sitcom My Name Is Earl. Electrolarynx Guy is an unnamed old man who can only speak with the help of an electrolarynx, apparently because of a lifetime of smoking.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Night Court, Murphy Brown, Everybody Loves Raymond, Boy Meets World, Dharma & Greg, In-Laws, Frasier, It's All Relative, The Help, Malcolm in the Middle, Scrubs, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Hot in Cleveland, The Office, Raising Hope, Animal Practice, Family Tools, Kirstie, Mystery Girls, Mulaney, Playing House, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Baskets, No Activity and Modern Family.
Bob Barker (IMDB/Wikipedia/The Interviews)
Emmy Award-winning television game show host Bob Barker hosted The Price Is Right from 1972 to 2007. He died on August 26, 2023, at his home in Los Angeles from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Mr. Barker was 99.
Barker began his game show career in 1956, hosting Truth or Consequences. He started hosting on December 31, 1956 and continued with the program until 1975. He traditionally ended each episode with the phrase, "Hoping all your consequences are happy ones."
He began hosting the CBS revival of The Price Is Right on September 4, 1972. He hosted the show for 35 years until his final episode aired on June 15, 2007. After retiring from the show, he returned for three guest appearances in 2009 to promote his autobiography Priceless Memories, in 2013 to celebrate his 90th birthday, and in 2015 for an April Fools' Day switch where he took Drew Carey's place at the show's intro. He was a 14-time winner of the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host. As an executive producer, he was a 4-time winner of the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1999 Daytime Emmy Awards. He was a longtime animal rights activist. In 1982, he began ending episodes with the phrase: "This is Bob Barker reminding you to help control the pet population – have your pets spayed or neutered."
Barker made his acting debut as Mort in a 1960 episode of Bonanza. He played himself in a 1994 episode of The Nanny. He made two guest appearances as Ben Davis, Carly's (Mel Harris) widower father, in Something So Right in 1996 and 1997. In 2001, he played himself in an episode of Yes, Dear. He played himself in a 1998 episode of Martial Law. His voice credits included Futurama, Family Guy (3 episodes), and SpongeBob SquarePants.
He appeared in a 2007 episode of How I Met Your Mother. In "Showdown," Barney Stinson (Neil Patrick Harris) is chosen as a contestant on The Price Is Right giving him the opportunity to fulfill one of his life wishes: to meet Bob Barker, who he delusionally believes to be his father.
Barker played himself in the sports comedy film Happy Gilmore (1996). In one scene, he beats up Happy Gilmore (Adam Sandler) after an altercation arising from their teaming up in a Pro-Am Golf Tournament. He parodied the Happy Gilmore fight in a 2014 episode of The Bold and the Beautiful, where he fought Wyatt Spencer after arguing with him.
Actor John Beasley starred as Barton Ballentine on The Soul Man. He died on May 30, 2023, at a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Beasley was 79.
Beasley starred as Barton Ballentine on the 2012-2016 TV Land sitcom The Soul Man. He was a main cast member for the first season before recurring for seasons 2-5. Barton Ballentine is Reverend Sherman Boyce Ballentine's (Cedric the Entertainer) and Fletcher Emmanuel "Stamps" Ballentine's (Wesley Jonathan) father. He is a retired minister who now serves on the church Board of Elders, often to Boyce's annoyance. The series also starred Niecy Nash and Jazz Raycole.
He starred as Irv Harper on the 2002-2006 The WB drama Everwood. Some of his drama guest appearances included Brewster Place (4 episodes), Angel Street, The Untouchables (1993) (2 episodes), EZ Streets, Early Edition (2 episodes), The Pretender (2 episodes), Millenium (3 episodes), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2 episodes), Judging Amy (3 episodes), NCIS, Boston Legal, CSI: Miami, Harry's Law, Detroit 1-8-7, Treme (4 episodes), Shots Fired (6 episodes as Mr. Dabney), The Resident, The Mandalorian and Your Honor. He guest starred as John 'Briefcase' Jefferson in a 2011 episode of Tyler Perry's House of Payne.
Beasley starred as Coach Warren in Rudy (1993). Some of his other film credits included The Mighty Ducks (1992), The Apostle (1997), The General's Daughter (1999), The Sum of All Fears (2002), Walking Tall (2004), The Purge: Anarchy (2014) and Sinister 2 (2015).
Actor Earl Boen starred as Dennis Hubner on It's a Living and played Reverend Lloyd Meechum on Mama's Family. He died from lung cancer in Hawaii on January 5, 2023. Mr. Boen was 81.
Boen starred as Dennis Hubner in 14 episodes of the second season (1981-1982) of the ABC sitcom It's a Living. The series was renamed Making a Living for the second season. It later aired in first-run syndication from 1985-1989. The kitchen at the posh restaurant Above the Top is first the domain of Chef Mario (Bert Remsen), then Dennis Hubner (Earl Boen), and finally Howard Miller (Richard Stahl), who eventually marries Nancy (Marian Mercer). The second season cast included Marian Mercer, Gail Edwards, Ann Jillian, Barrie Youngfellow, Paul Kreppel and Louise Lasser.
He played Reverend Lloyd Meechum, the Harper family's pastor, in four episodes of Mama's Family from 1983-1987. He also appeared as a clergyman in episodes of Three's Company, The Golden Girls (2 episodes), Boy Meets World, Seinfeld, The Wonder Years and The Golden Palace. He played Jim Peterson, Angela Bower's (Judith Light) boss, in five episodes of Who's the Boss? from 1984-1986. He had a recurring role as Dr. Kramer in four episodes of Get a Life from 1990-1991.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included What's Happening!!, The Jeffersons, Angie, Soap, M*A*S*H, Barney Miller, Too Close for Comfort, Madame's Place, Benson (2 episodes), Night Court, Family Ties (2 episodes), Newhart (2 episodes), Growing Pains, Silver Spoons (2 episodes), 1st & Ten (2 episodes), Punky Brewster (2 episodes), What's Happening Now!, ALF, Mr. President,Webster (3 episodes), 227 (2 episodes), Sydney, Amen (2 episodes), Family Matters, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Empty Nest (2 episodes) and California Dreams (4 episodes).
Boen starred as Howard on the 1987-1988 CBS mystery crime drama The Law & Harry McGraw. He had a recurring role as Judge Walter L. Swanson in eight episodes of L.A. Law from 1988-1993.
Some of his drama guest appearances included The Streets of San Francisco, Kojak, Hawaii Five-O, Wonder Woman (2 episodes), Police Woman, Eight Is Enough, Lou Grant, The Paper Chase, Barnaby Jones, The Dukes of Hazzard, Code Red, The Powers of Matthew Star, Voyagers!, Fantasy Island (1983), St. Elsewhere, Hill Street Blues, Crime Story, Hotel, Dallas, Matlock (2 episodes) and Family Law (2 episodes).
Boen was also very active in the voice-over field. He was known for voicing characters such as Mr. Bleakman in Clifford the Big Red Dog, Police Chief Kanifky in Bonkers, the narrator and King Terenas Menethil II in World of Warcraft, Señor Senior, Senior in Kim Possible and LeChuck in the Monkey Island series.
He was best known as criminal psychologist Dr. Peter Silberman in The Terminator (1984), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) and Terminator: Dark Fate (2019, archive footage only). Some of his other film credits included The Main Event (1979), Battle Beyond the Stars (1980), 9 to 5 (1980), Soggy Bottom, U.S.A. (1981), The Man with Two Brains (1983), To Be or Not to Be (1983), Alien Nation (1988), Marked for Death (1990), Naked Gun 33+1⁄3: The Final Insult (1994) and Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000).
Barbara Bosson (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Barbara Bosson was best known for her role as Fay Furillo on the NBC police drama Hill Street Blues, for which she was consecutively nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards. She died in Los Angeles, California, on February 18, 2023. Ms. Bosson was 83.
Bosson starred as Captain C.Z. Stern on the 1987-1989 ABC comedy-drama Hooperman. The show centered on the professional and personal life of San Francisco police Inspector Harry Hooperman, played by John Ritter. It also starred Deborah Farentino (1987-1988), Clarence Felder, Sydney Walsh, Joseph Gian, Felton Perry, Alix Elias, Paul Linke (1988-1989) and Rod Gist (1988-1989).
She starred as Sharon Deterson on the short-lived 1978 NBC detective drama Richie Brockelman, Private Eye. In 1990, she starred as Mayor Louise Plank on the ABC police procedural musical television series Cop Rock. She starred as Miriam Grasso on the 1995-1997 ABC legal drama Murder One. She received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1996 for the role.
Bosson starred as Jane Rogan, Alex Rogan's (Lance Guest) mother, in the science fiction film The Last Starfighter (1984).
Andre Braugher (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Emmy-winning actor Andre Braugher starred as Captain Raymond Holt on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He died from lung cancer on December 11, 2023, having been diagnosed with it a few months prior. Mr. Braugher was 61.
Braugher starred as Captain Raymond Holt on the 2013-2021 police comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine. It aired for five seasons on Fox from 2014 to 2018 before moving to NBC for seasons six to eight from 2019 to 2021. Created by Dan Goor and Michael Schur, it revolves around seven New York City Police Department (NYPD) detectives who are adjusting to life under their new commanding officer, the serious and stern Captain Raymond Holt. Captain Holt is the captain of the 99th precinct who takes pride in being the NYPD's first black gay police captain. Braugher was nominated four times for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2020. He won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2014 and 2016. He appeared in a crossover episode with New Girl in 2016.
In 2019, he played James Evans in ABC's Live in Front of a Studio Audience: 'All in the Family' and 'Good Times'.
He starred as Detective Frank Pendleton for six seasons (1993-1998) on the NBC police drama Homicide: Life on the Street. Detective Frank Pendleton is a self-righteous, fiery, unyielding, Jesuit-educated police detective. Braugher won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1998. He left the series after the sixth season but returned for the reunion television film Homicide: The Movie in 2000.
Braugher starred as Dr. Ben Gideon on the 2000-2001 ABC medical drama Gideon's Crossing. He starred as Detective Marcellus Washington on the 2002-2004 CBS crime drama Hack. He starred as Owen Thoreau Jr. on th 2009-2011 TNT comedy-drama Men of a Certain Age. He played Captain Marcus Chaplin on the 2012-2013 ABC military drama Last Resort. In 2022, He starred as Ri'Chard Lane in the sixth season of The Good Fight.
In 2006, he starred as Nick Atwater in the mini-series Thief for FX Networks, winning a second Emmy for his performance. He starred as General George W. Mancheck in the 2008 A&E science fiction miniseries The Andromeda Strain.
He played Detective Winston Blake, a young detective assigned to Kojak's (Telly Savalas) command, in five Kojak television movies in 1989 and 1990. Some of his television guest appearances included Law & Order, The Practice, House (4 episodes), Miami Medical and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (6 episodes as Bayard Ellis).
Braugher's first film role was in the 1989 film Glory as Thomas Searles, a free, educated black man from the North who joins the first black regiment in the Union Army. Some of his other film credits included Primal Fear (1996), City of Angels (1998), Frequency (2000), Duets (2000), Poseidon (2006), The Mist (2007), Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), Salt (2010), The Gambler (2014) and She Said (2022). He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his role as Benjamin O. Davis Jr. in the 1995 HBO television movie The Tuskegee Airmen.
Barbara Bryne (IMDB/Wikipedia)
British-American actress Barbara Bryne starred as Mrs. Gaffney on Love, Sidney. She died on May 2, 2023, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ms. Bryne was 94.
Bryne starred as Mrs. Gaffney on the NBC sitcom Love, Sidney from 1982 to 1983. Nosy neighbor Mrs. Gaffney, wife of the building's superintendent, seeks to gain Sidney Shorr's (Tony Randall) affections. The series also starred Swoosie Kurtz, Kaleena Kiff, Alan North (1981-1982), Chip Zien and Lynne Thigpen (1982-1983).
She guest starred as Miss Hanratty in a 1982 episode of Best of the West.
Hall of Fame football player and actor Dick Butkus starred as Ed Klawicki on My Two Dads and as Coach Mike Katowinski on Hang Time. He died in his sleep at his home in Malibu, California, on October 5, 2023. The cause of death was a stroke, with atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis, and hypercholesterolemia listed as underlying causes. Mr. Butkus was 80.
Butkus starred as Ed Klawicki in the first two seasons (1987-1989) of the 1987-1990 NBC sitcom My Two Dads. Ed Klawicki managed Klawicki's diner on the apartment building's first floor. In the third season, when Butkus left the series, the diner was then run by cook Julian (Don Yesso), but there was no explanation as to what happened to Ed Klawicki. Ownership of the diner was explained to have been taken over by Judge Wilbur (Florence Stanley) at this point, and it was renamed The Judge's Court Cafe. The cast also included Paul Reiser, Greg Evigan, Staci Keanan, Giovanni Ribisi (credited as Vonni Ribisi), Chad Allen (seasons 2 and 3), and Amy Hathaway (seasons 2 and 3).
He starred as Coach Mike Katowinski in seasons 4-6 (1998-2000) on the NBC sitcom Hang Time. The series aired from 1995 to 2000 as part of the network's Saturday morning program block for teenagers, TNBC. Butkus joined the cast in the fourth season as Mike Katowinski, the new coach of the Deering Tornados boys' varsity basketball team of the fictional Deering High School in the fictional Midwestern town of Deering, Indiana. The seasons 4-6 cast included Daniella Deutscher, Megan Parten, Adam Frost, Amber Barretto, Mark Famiglietti, Danso Gordon, James Villani (season 4), Jay Hernandez, and Phillip Glasser (seasons 5 and 6).
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Taxi, The Lovet Boat, Night Court (2 episodes), Growing Pains, D.C. Follies, Kate & Allie, Chicago Sons, Coach (2 episodes), Malibu, CA (2000), Inside Schwartz, The Bernie Mac Show, and I Didn't Do It. He portrayed Officer Alvin Dimsky in Cass Malloy, the 1982 CBS pilot for what later became the syndicated sitcom She's the Sheriff.
Butkus starred as Richard "Ski" Butowski, a cop who is a member of the "Rolling Thunder" ground crew, on the 1984 ABC action drama Blue Thunder. He starred as Beau on the short-lived 1985 NBC detective comedy-drama Half Nelson. He served as the referee on the 1985-1986 syndicated reality competition series The Star Games. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, he appeared alongside fellow former NFL star (and later Blue Thunder and Half Nelson co-star) Bubba Smith in a series of ads for Miller Lite, which were released to high acclaim.
Some of his television drama guest appearances included Emergency!, McMillan & Wife, Police Story (2 episodes), Bronk, The Six Million Dollar Man, Joe Forrester (2 episodes), Petrocelli, The Rockford Files, Wonder Woman, Fantasy Island (2 episodes), Vega$, Magnum, P.I. (1982), Matt Houston, The Greatest American Hero, Simon & Simon (1982), Murder, She Wrote (1985), Blacke's Magic, Matlock (1987), MacGyver (3 episodes from 1990-1991), Burke's Law, and Early Edition.
He starred as Arthur in Johnny Dangerously (1984). Some of his other film credits included The Longest Yard (1974), Cry, Onion! (1975), Mother, Jugs & Speed (1976), Gus (1976), Superdome (1978), Cracking Up (1983), Hamburger: The Motion Picture (1986), The Stepford Children (1987), Spontaneous Combustion (1990), Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), Necessary Roughness (1991), and Any Given Sunday (1999). He portrayed himself in both the critically acclaimed TV movie Brian's Song (1971) and the comedy Teddy Bears' Picnic (2002).
Butkus played football for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) from 1965 to 1973. He was invited to eight Pro Bowls, named a first-team All-Pro six times, and was twice recognized by his peers as the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. He was renowned as a fierce tackler and for the relentless effort with which he played and is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most intimidating linebackers in professional football history. In 1979, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His No. 51 jersey is retired by the Bears.
Robert Butler (IMDB/Wikipedia/The Interviews)
Director Robert Butler worked on Hogan's Heroes. He died in Los Angeles, California on November 3, 2023. Mr. Butler was 95.
Butler's sitcom writing credits included Hennesey (3 episodes), Happy, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Peter Loves Mary (2 episodes), The Dick Van Dyke Show (2 episodes), The Gertrude Berg Show (2 episodes), Mister Roberts (4 episodes), Hogan's Heroes (5 episodes) and Roll Out.
He won two Emmy Awards for outstanding directing, the first in 1973 for The Blue Knight pilot, and the second in 1981 for his Hill Street Blues premiere.
Marlene Clark (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress and fashion model Marlene Clark played Janet Lawson on Sanford and Son. She died on May 18, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Clark was 85.
Clark had a recurring role as Janet Lawson, Lamont Sanford's (Demond Wilson) girlfriend, in six episodes of the NBC sitcom Sanford and Son from 1976 to 1977. Janet Lawson is a divorcee Lamont begins dating in the fifth season. Janet also has a young son, Roger (Edward Crawford). The Lawsons appear occasionally until Lamont and Janet break up in the sixth and final season, due to the return of Janet's ex-husband.
Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included The Bill Cosby Show, The Governor & J.J., What's Happening!! and Head of the Class (1988).
Some of her drama guest appearances included Marcus Welby, M.D. (1970), The Immortal, Bonanza, Mod Squad (2 episodes), McCloud, The Rookies, Barnaby Jones, Flamingo Road and Highway to Heaven.
Clark starred as Ganja Meda in the 1973 horror film Ganja & Hess. Some of her other film credits included Slaughter (1972), Night of the Cobra Woman (1972) and The Beast Must Die (1974).
Phyllis Coates (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Phyllis Coates was best known for her portrayal of reporter Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole Men and in the first season of the television series Adventures of Superman. She died on October 11, 2023, at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Coates was 96.
Coates starred as Lois Lane in the 1951 film Superman and the Mole Men, which starred George Reeves as Superman. The film served as a pilot for Adventures of Superman and prompted the start of production of the first season in August/September of the same year. Coates played Lois Lane in the first season, with Noel Neill, who had previously played Lois Lane in the film serials Superman (1948) and Atom Man vs. Superman (1950), stepping into the role in the later seasons.
She starred as Gloria on the short-lived 1954 NBC sitcom The Duke. The series, which was broadcast live, was about Duke London, a professional boxer who was also an accomplished painter. Gloria was his girlfriend. It also starred Allen Jenkins, Claude Stroud and Sheldon Leonard.
Coates starred as Nurse Madge Allen on the short-lived 1955 CBS sitcom Professional Father. The whimsical sitcom involved a child psycholigist named Tom Wilson (Steve Dunne) and his family. It also starred Barbara Billingsley, Ted Marc, Beverly Washburn and Ann O'Neal.
She starred as Clarissa Mae Holliday on the 1958-1959 sitcom This Is Alice, which starred nine-year-old Patty Ann Gerrity as Alice Holliday. The program aired in first-run syndication from October 1958 to August 1959, distributed by the NTA Film Network. The series also starred Tommy Farrell, Kathy Garver, Stephen Wootton, Lucien Littlefield and Nancy DeCarl.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Abbott and Costello Show, Topper, Willy, The Great Gildersleeve, It's a Great Life (2 episodes), Leave it to Beaver, Hennesey and The Patty Duke Show (2 episodes).
She appeared as Ellen Lane, Lois Lane's mother, in the first season finale of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman in 1994. Some of her other television guest appearances included The Cisco Kid (4 episodes), The Range Rider (2 episodes), The Files of Jeffrey Jones (2 episodes), The Adventures of Kit Carson (2 episodes), The Lone Ranger (3 episodes), Stage 7 (2 episodes), Lassie, General Electric Theater (3 episodes), Hawaiian Eye, Tales of Wells Fargo (2 episodes), Rawhide (2 episodes), The Untouchables (3 episodes), Perry Mason (3 episodes), Gunsmoke (3 episodes), Death Valley Days (7 episodes) and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (2 episodes).
Actress Carole Cook guest starred on The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy. She died from heart failure in Beverly Hills, California, on January 11, 2023. Ms. Cook was 98.
Cook guest starred as Thelma Green in five episodes of The Lucy Show from 1963 to 1964. She played various characters in 13 other episodes from 1963 to 1968.
She played various characters in five episodes of Here's Lucy from 1969 to 1974. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The New Phil Silvers Show (2 episodes), My World and Welcome to It, That Girl, Maude, Chico and the Man, Laverne & Shirley, The Love Boat, A Family for Joe and Strip Mall.
Some of her other television guest appearances included U.S. Marshal (2 episodes), Kentucky Jones, Daniel Boone, Sarge, McMillan & Wife (4 episodes), Baretta, Ellery Queen, Emergency!, Bronk, Starsky & Hutch, Charlie's Angels (2 episodes), Kojak, Darkroom, Strike Force, Trapper John, M.D. (1982), Knight Rider, Hart to Hart, Quincy, M.E. (2 episodes), The A-Team, Magnum, P.I. (1986), Dynasty (4 episodes), Cagney & Lacey (5 episodes), Murder, She Wrote (2 episodes) and Grey's Anatomy.
She played Grandma Helen in Sixteen Candles (1984). Some of her other film credits included Palm Springs Weekend (1963), The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964), American Gigolo (1980), Summer Lovers (1982) and Grandview, U.S.A. (1984).
Nicolas Coster (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Nicolas Coster had a recurring role as David Warner, the father of Blair Warner, on The Facts of Life. He died on June 26, 2023, at a hospital in Florida. Mr. Coster was 89.
Coster had a recurring role as David Warner, Blair Warner's (Lisa Whelchel) father, in five episodes of The Facts of Life from 1982 to 1988. His ex-wife, Monica Warner, was played by Marj Dusay in eight episodes from 1981 to 1987.
Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included No Time for Sergeants, Wendy and Me, Occasional Wife, On Our Own (1978), Husbands, Wives & Lovers (1978), Grandpa Goes to Washington, One Day at a Time, When the Whistle Blows, Police Squad!, Teachers Only (2 episodes), 9 to 5 (3 episodes), Hooperman, Who's the Boss?, Nurses, Coach, 3rd Rock from the Sun (2 episodes), and Crumbs.
Coster starred as Robert Delaney on Another World from 1970 to 1980. He played Anthony Makana in five episodes of One Life to Live. He starred as Lionel Lockridge on Santa Barbara from 1984 to 1993. The role earned him four Daytime Emmy nominations. He starred as Mayor Jack Madison on the digital soap The Bay from 2010 to 2019. The role won him his first Daytime Emmy in 2017. He also worked as a producer from 2010 to 2014.
He played John Eldridge in the 1965 CBS primetime serialized drama Our Private World. He starred as Chief J.E. Carson on The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (also known as Lobo). In 1983, he starred as Dr. Morris Whitford on the short-lived ABC medical drama Ryan's Four.
Some of his other television guest appearances included The Defenders, The Green Hornet, Charlie's Angels, Little House on the Prairie, Baretta, Family, The Rockford Files, Wonder Woman, The Incredible Hulk, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Dallas (3 episodes), Hart to Hart, Quincy, M.E. (1982), Simon & Simon (3 episodes), Magnum, P.I. (1983), Hardcastle and McCormick, T.J. Hooker, Knight Rider (1983), L.A. Law, thirtysomething (1989), Murder, She Wrote (1989), Life Goes On, Star Trek: The Next Generation, MacGyver, Matlock, Law & Order (2 episodes), and Cold Case.
Evan Ellingson (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Evan Ellingson starred as Kyle Savage on Complete Savages. He died from an accidental fentanyl overdose in Fontana, California, on November 5, 2023. Mr. Ellingson was only 35.
Ellingson made his acting debut in the 2001 TV movie Living in Fear and as Young Luke Spencer in a 2001 episode of General Hospital. He had a recurring role as Young 10-year-old Christopher Titus in 10 episodes of the Fox sitcom Titus from 2001 to 2002.
He starred as Kyle Savage on the 2004-2005 ABC sitcom Complete Savages. The TGIF sitcom is about a single father named Nick Savage (Keith Carradine) struggling to raise his five unruly sons (Jack, Chris, Sam, Kyle, and T.J.) alone, following the abandonment of their mother 10 years previously. Kyle Savage is a rebellious teenager who is unruly and constantly causing chaos. The series also starred Shaun Sipos, Erik von Detten, Andrew Eiden, Jason Dolley and Vincent Ventresca.
Ellingson had a recurring role as Kyle Harmon, the son of Horatio Caine (David Caruso) and Julia Winston (Elizabeth Berkley), in 18 episodes of the CBS police procedural drama CSI: Miami from 2007 to 2010.
He guest starred in a 2005 episode of Bones. He had a recurring role as Josh Bauer, the nephew of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), in 10 episodes of the sixth season of the Fox drama 24 in 2007.
Ellingson starred as Jesse Fitzgerald in the 2009 film My Sister's Keeper. It also starred Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassilieva, Jason Patric and Alec Baldwin.
Actress and writer Judy Farrell played Nurse Able on M*A*S*H. She died from complications of a stroke at a hospital in West Hills, Los Angeles on April 2, 2023. Ms. Farrell was 84.
Farrell appeared as Nurse Able in eight episodes of M*A*S*H from 1976 to 1983. She was married to Mike Farrell (B.J. Hunnicutt) from 1963 until they divorced in 1983.
She appeared as Charlotte Miller in four episodes of the first season of Fame from 1982 to 1983. She also wrote an episode of the series in 1983. She later wrote 13 episodes for the soap opera Port Charles.
Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Get Smart, Room 222, The Partridge Family and Benson. Some of her other television credits included Judd for the Defense (2 episodes), Medical Center (2 episodes) Emergency! and Quincy, M.E. (3 episodes).
Andrea Fay Friedman (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Andrea Fay Friedman played Amanda Swanson on Life Goes On. She died of complications from Alzheimer's disease at her home in Santa Monica, California, on December 3, 2023. Ms. Friedman was 53.
Friedman portrayed Amanda Swanson, the girlfriend (and later wife) of the character Charles "Corky" Thacher (Chris Burke), on the TV show Life Goes On for two seasons (1992-1993. Like Corky, Amanda also has Down syndrome.
She voiced Ellen, a character with Down syndrome, in the Family Guy episode "Extra Large Medium", her first role as a voice actress. Some of her other television credits included Baywatch, Touched by an Angel, Chicago Hope (1997), Walker, Texas Ranger (1999), 7th Heaven, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, ER, The Division and Saving Grace.
Actor Mark Goddard was best known for portraying Major Don West on Lost in Space. He died from pulmonary fibrosis in Hingham, Massachusetts, on October 10, 2023. Mr. Goddard was 87.
Goddard's first starring role was as Cully on the 1959-1960 CBS western Johnny Ringo. He starred as Sgt. Chris Ballard for the second and third seasons (1960-1962) on the ABC/NBC crime drama The Detectives (also known as The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor, Captain of Detectives, and Robert Taylor's Detectives).
He starred as Bob Randall on the 1964-1965 CBS sitcom Many Happy Returns. The show starred John McGiver as widower Walter Burnley, the manager of the Adjustments and Refunds Department at the fictitious Krockmeyer's Department Store in Los Angeles. Bob Randall is the husband of Burnley's daughter, Joan Randall (Elinor Donahue). The series also starred Richard Collier, Jesslyn Fox, Mickey Manners, Andrea Sacino and Elena Verdugo.
Goddard starred as Major Don West on the 1965-1968 CBS science fiction series Lost in Space. The series follows the adventures of the Robinsons, a pioneering family of space colonists who struggle to survive in the depths of space. U.S. Space Corps Major Donald West is the pilot of the Jupiter 2. The series also starred Guy Williams, June Lockhart, Marta Kristen, Angela Cartwright, Billy Mumy, Jonathan Harris, Bob May as The Robot and Dick Tufeld as The Robot's voice.
He starred as Ted Clayton in 10 episodes of One Life to Live in 1981. He played Lt. Paul Reed in six episodes of The Doctors in 1982. He starred as Derek Barrington in 11 episodes General Hospital from 1985 to 1986.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Fair Exchange, The Bill Dana Show, The Beverly Hillbillies and Benson. Some of his other television guest appearances included The DuPont Show with June Allyson, The Rebel, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, The Rilfeman, Burke's Law, Gunsmoke, Perry Mason (2 episodes), The Fugitive, Mod Squad (2 episodes), Adam-12, Switch, Petrocelli (2 episodes), The Streets of San Francisco, Quincy, M.E. (1977), B.J. and the Bear, Barnaby Jones (4 episodes), The Fall Guy and Jake and the Fatman.
Goddard starred as politician Edward Fleming in the 1977 film Blue Sunshine. He briefly appears as the military general who gives Major Don West his orders for the mission in Lost in Space (1998).
Johnny Hardwick (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Voice actor, comedian, writer and producer Johnny Hardwick was best known as the voice of Dale Gribble on King of the Hill. He was found dead at his home Austin, Texas, on August 8, 2023. Mr. Hardwick was 64.
Hardwick provided the voice of Dale Gribble on the Fox animated sitcom King of the Hill. The 1997-2010 series centers on the Hills, an American family in the fictional city of Arlen, Texas, as well as their neighbors, co-workers, relatives, classmates, friends, and acquaintances. Dale Gribble is the Hills' chain-smoking, balding, conspiracy-theorist next-door neighbor and Hank's (Mike Judge) best friend. As a result of his paranoia, Dale does not trust the government or "the system". He owns his own pest control business, Dale's Dead Bug, and is also a licensed bounty hunter and President of the Arlen Gun Club. Dale is married to Nancy Hicks-Gribble (Ashley Gardner), a weather reporter and later an anchorwoman for the Channel 84 news. The cast also included Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Brittany Murphy (1997-2009), Stephen Root, Toby Huss, Jonathan Joss, Lauren Tom, Breckin Meyer, and Tom Petty.
At the time of his death, he was set to reprise the role again in the upcoming revival. It was later revealed that he had recorded "a couple" of new episodes for the revival prior to his death.
He was also its staff writer, story editor and producer from 1997 to 2002. He had three Prime Time Emmy Award nominations, and in 1999 he won an Emmy for producing King of the Hill.
Kristina Holland (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Kristina Holland starred as Tina Rickles on The Courtship of Eddie's Father. She provided the voice of Alice Boyle in the animated series Wait Till Your Father Gets Home. She died on February 22, 2023. Ms. Holland was 78.
Holland had a recurring role as Tina Rickles, secretary to Tom Corbett (Bill Bixby), on the 1969-1972 ABC sitcom The Courtship of Eddie's Father. The series also starred Brandon Cruz, Miyoshi Umeki and James Komack.
She provided the voice of Alice Boyle in the 1972-1974 first-run syndicated animated sitcom Wait Till Your Father Gets Home. The show features Harry Boyle, wife Irma, daughter Alice, and sons Chet and Jamie. The voice cast included Tom Bosley, Joan Gerber, David Hayward, Jackie Haley and Jack Burns.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Here Come the Brides (2 episodes), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, The Doris Day Show, Make Room for Granddaddy (1970), Love, American Style (3 episodes), The Girl with Something Extra, The Bob Newhart Show (2 episodes) and Good Heavens.
She provided the voice of April Stewart in the animated series The Funky Phantom (1971-1972) and the voice of Stephanie in the animated series Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kids (1973).
Holland performed in more than 22 television series, two films, and provided voiceover talent for at least two video games. She later worked as a professional psychotherapist in California.
Stephen Kandel (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Television writer Stephen Kandel wrote episodes of Gidget and Room 222. He died in his home on October 21, 2023. Mr. Kandel was 96.
Kandel wrote four episodes of the 1965-1966 ABC sitcom Gidget. He wrote four episodes of the ABC comedy-drama Room 222 from 1971 to 1973.
Some of his other writing credits included Sea Hunt, The Rogues, Batman, Star Trek, Iron Horse, I Spy, It Takes a Thief, Mission: Impossible, Mannix, The Magician, Medical Center, Harry O, Cannon, Hawaii Five-O, Wonder Woman, Hart to Hart, The New Mike Hammer and MacGyver.
Kandel worked as a producer for Iron Horse, The New Mike Hammer and MacGyver (58 episodes from 1985-1988).
He was a recipient of the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe award and the Writers Guild of America Humanities award.
Charles Kimbrough (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Charles Kimbrough was best known for his role as the straight-faced anchorman Jim Dial on Murphy Brown. He died in Culver City, California, on January 11, 2023. Mr. Kimbrough was 86.
Kimbrough starred as Jim Dial on the 1988-1998 CBS sitcom Murphy Brown. Jim Dial is the trustworthy veteran news anchor for FYI, a fictional CBS television newsmagazine. He affectionately addresses Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) as "Slugger" and reminisces about the glory days of Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite. In 1990, his performance in the role earned him a nomination for an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series". The cast included Faith Ford, Joe Regalbuto, Grant Shaud (1988-1996), Pat Corley (1988-1996), Robert Pastorelli (1988-1994), Ritch Brinkley (1988-1997), John Hostetter and Lily Tomlin (1996-1998).
In 2018, he returned to play Jim Dial in three episodes of the 2018-2019 CBS Murphy Brown revival series. Jim Dial is now in his 80s, widowed and retired. He acts as an informal mentor to the Murphy in the Morning gang.
He provided the voice of Dr. Ficus in a 1992 episode of Dinosaurs. He guest starred as Rich in a 1998 episode of Love Boat: The Next Wave. Some of his other television guest appearances included Another World, Kojak (3 episodes), Great Performances (3 episodes), All My Children, Tales of the Unexpected, American Playhouse (2 episodes), Spenser: For Hire (2 episodes), Hothouse and Ally McBeal.
Kimbrough was also known for his voice work. He was the voice of Victor, the most mature gargoyle in Disney's 1996 animated feature The Hunchback of Notre Dame, a role he reprised in its direct-to-video sequel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame II (2002), and the video game, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. He provided the voice of Jim Dial for a 2000 episode of Family Guy. Some of his other voice credits included Mighty Max, Pinky and the Brain, Hercules, Recess, The Angry Beavers, Batman Beyond and The Zeta Project.
In 1971, he was nominated for a Tony for best featured actor in a musical as Harry in Stephen Sondheim's Company. In 1984, he performed in the original Broadway cast of Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George.
He starred as Mr. Donolly in the 2001 romantic comedy film The Wedding Planner, which starred Jennifer Lopez and Matthew McConaughey. Some of his other film credits included The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979), It's My Turn (1980) and Switching Channels (1988).
Television creator, producer, writer and puppeteer Marty Krofft worked on H.R. Pufnstuf, Sigmund and the Sea Monsters and Land of the Lost. He died from kidney failure in Los Angeles, California, on November 25, 2023. Mr. Krofft was 86.
Marty and his brother Sid made numerous children's television and variety show programs in the U.S., particularly in the 1970s, including H.R. Pufnstuf (1969), Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (1973-1975), and Land of the Lost (1974-1976) through their production company, Sid & Marty Krofft Pictures. Their fantasy programs often featured large-headed puppets, high-concept plots, and extensive use of low-budget special effects. They designed the characters and sets for Hanna-Barbera's The Banana Splits on NBC from 1968 to 1970.
Some of The Krofft Brothers other credits as creators and producers included The Bugaloos (1970-1972), Lidsville (1971-1973), Far Out Space Nuts (1975-1976), The Lost Saucer (1975), Donny & Marie (1976), The Krofft Supershow (1976-1978) (which included Electra Woman and Dyna Girl (1976) and Wonderbug (1976-1978)), The Krofft Superstar Hour (aka The Bay City Rollers Show) (1978-1979), Pink Lady and Jeff (1980), Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters (1980-1982), Pryor's Place (1984), Land of the Lost (1991-1992 reboot), Mutt & Stuff (2015-2017) and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters (2016-2017 reboot).
They created and produced the 1977 ABC variety show The Brady Bunch Hour. The series starred the original cast members of The Brady Bunch, with the exception of Eve Plumb, who was replaced by Geri Reischl (a.k.a. "Fake Jan"). The show began as a 60-minute special titled The Brady Bunch Variety Hour on November 28, 1976. It featured skits and songs produced by Sid & Marty Krofft Productions in association with Paramount Television.
The Krofft Brothers created and produced the 1987-1989 syndicated sitcom D.C. Follies. The show was set in a Washington, D.C. bar, where a bartender played by Fred Willard would welcome puppet caricatures of politicians and popular culture figures. Celebrity guest stars included Martin Mull, Leslie Nielsen, Bob Uecker and Betty White.
Marty and his brother Sid made many entertaining children's television and variety show programs in the 1970s and 1980s. The Kroffts received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys in 2018. In 2020, the Kroffts were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their contributions to television. Sid is still living at age 94.
Janet Landgard (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress and model Janet Landgard had a recurring role as Karen Holmby on The Donna Reed Show. She died of brain cancer on November 6, 2023. Ms. Landgard was 75.
Landgard appeared as Karen Holmby in 11 episodes of the ABC sitcom The Donna Reed Show from 1963 to 1965. Karen Holmby is the girlfriend of Jeff Stone (Paul Petersen). She made her first guest appearance as Sabrina in the episode "All Women Are Dangerous." The series also starred Donna Reed, Carl Betz, Shelley Fabares and Patty Petersen.
She guest starred as Georgia Fleck in the 1963 My Three Sons episode "The Proposals." She starred with Burt Lancaster in the 1968 film The Swimmer. She also starred in 1970's Land Raiders with Telly Savalas and the 1974 film Moonchild with Victor Buono.
Landgard was seen in commercials on television and on magazine covers as a model. She was was interviewed for the behind-the-scenes documentary The Story of the Swimmer in 2014.
Emmy-winning producer and screenwriter Norman Lear created and produced All in the Family, Sanford and Son, Maude, Good Times, The Jeffersons and One Day at a Time. He died on December 5, 2023, at his home in Los Angeles from cardiac arrest, as a complication of heart failure. Mr. Lear was 101.
Lear developed the 1971-1979 CBS sitcom All in the Family. Based on the British sitcom Till Death Us Do Part, it was produced by Lear and Bud Yorkin. The series received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding New Series in 1971 and for Outstanding Comedy Series in 1972, 1973 and 1978. On February 16, 1991, CBS aired a 90-minute retrospective, All in the Family 20th Anniversary Special, hosted by Lear to commemorate the show's 20th anniversary.
His second big sitcom was Sanford and Son, which aired on NBC from 1972 to 1977. The series, which was based on the British sitcom Steptoe and Son, was about a Watts junk dealer and his son. It was a rating hit throughout its six-season run, finishing in the Nielsen top ten for five of those seasons.
Lear and Yorkin created the 1972-1978 CBS sitcom Maude. The show was the first spin-off of All in the Family, on which Bea Arthur had made two appearances as Maude, Edith Bunker's favorite cousin. Maude is generally considered to be based on Lear's wife Frances, something she herself confirmed, with Charlie Hauck serving as main producer and writer.
He developed and produced the 1974-1979 CBS sitcom Good Times. The spin-off of Maude was created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans. It was television's first African American two-parent family sitcom. On December 18, 2019, ABC broadcast Live in Front of a Studio Audience: All in the Family and Good Times, produced by Lear and Jimmy Kimmel. It won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special in 2020.
Lear developed the 1975-1985 CBS sitcom The Jeffersons. The show was launched as the second (and longest running) spin-off of All in the Family (after Maude), on which the Jeffersons had been the neighbors of Archie and Edith Bunker. On May 22, 2019, ABC broadcast Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons, produced by Lear and Jimmy Kimmel. It won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special in 2019.
He developed and produced the 1975-1984 CBS sitcom One Day at a Time. It starred Bonnie Franklin as a divorced mother raising two teenage daughters, played by Mackenzie Phillips and Valerie Bertinelli, set in Indianapolis. He also executive produced the 2017-2020 Netflix remake of One Day at a Time, which starred Justina Machado and Rita Moreno as a Cuban-American family living in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Echo Park.
Some of Lear's other sitcom producing credits included Hot l Baltimore (1975), The Nancy Walker Show (1976), All That Glitters (1977), Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman (1976-1977), A Year at the Top (1977), Fernwood 2 Night (or Fernwood Tonight (1977), America 2-Night (1978), In the Beginning (1978), Apple Pie (1978), Diff'rent Strokes (1978-1986), The Baxters (1979-1981), Hanging In (1979), a.k.a. Pablo (1984), Sunday Dinner (1991), The Powers That Be (1992-1993) and 704 Hauser (1994). He developed The Dumplings (1976), All's Fair (1976-1977) and Sanford Arms (1977). He directed an episode of The Powers That Be in 1992 and an episode of 704 Hauser in 1994.
He directed, co-produced and co-wrote the 1971 satirical black comedy film Cold Turkey, which starred Dick Van Dyke and a long list of comedic actors. Some of his other film writing credits included Come Blow Your Horn (1963), Divorce American Style (1967) and The Night They Raided Minsky's (1968).
Michael Lerner (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Michael Lerner starred as Mel Horowitz on Clueless. He died of complications from brain seizures at a hospital in Burbank, California, on April 8, 2023. Mr. Lerner was 81.
Lerner starred as Mel Horowitz, the father of Cher Horowitz (Rachel Blanchard), in the first season (1996-1997) of Clueless. Doug Sheehan played Mel Horowitz in seasons two and three. The sitcom aired on ABC for the first season before moving to UPN for seasons two and three.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Good Guys (2 episodes), The Brady Bunch, The Doris Day Show (2 episodes), That Girl, The Bob Newhart Show, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1973), Love, American Style (1974), M*A*S*H, The Odd Couple, Rhoda, Entourage, Suburgatory, Childrens Hospital and Maron.
He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Jack Lipnick in Barton Fink (1991). Some of his other film credits included Eight Men Out (1988), Amos & Andrew (1993), No Escape (1994), The Beautician and the Beast (1997), Godzilla (1998), Elf (2003) and X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014).
Carol Locatell (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Carol Locatell made guest appearances on many sitcoms. She died of cancer at her Sherman Oaks, California, home on April 11, 2023. Ms. Locatell was 82.
Locatell's sitcom guest appearances included The Flying Nun, M*A*S*H, Brothers (2 episodes from 1984-1985), Growing Pains, Saved by the Bell: The New Class, Caroline in the City, Sonny with a Chance and I Didn't Do It.
She was best known for her role in the 1985 slasher film Friday the 13th: A New Beginning as the mean and foul-mouthed Ethel Hubbard. She also appeared in the Burt Reynolds films Paternity (1981), Best Friends (1982) and Sharky's Machine (1981).
Actress Lisa Loring was best known for her role as Wednesday Addams on The Addams Family. She had a stroke, possibly caused by smoking and hypertension, and died at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California, on January 28, 2023. Ms. Loring was 64.
Loring starred as Wednesday Addams at six years old on the 1964-1966 ABC sitcom The Addams Family. The macabre/black comedy sitcom was based on Charles Addams' The New Yorker cartoons. Wednesday is Gomez (John Astin) and Morticia's (Carolyn Jones) daughter and the youngest member of the family. Wednesday is a strange yet sweet-natured little girl who enjoys keeping bizarre pets such as a black widow spider named Homer and a lizard named Lucifer, in addition to playing with a headless doll named Marie Antoinette. The series also starred Jackie Coogan, Ted Cassidy, Blossom Rock, Ken Weatherwax and Felix Silla.
She played Wednesday Sr. in the 1977 NBC TV reunion film Halloween with the New Addams Family.
Loring joined the cast of the 1966-1967 ABC sitcom The Pruitts of Southampton (also known as The Phyllis Diller Show) as Susan "Suzy" Pruitt. Her Addams Family co-star John Astin played Rudy Pruitt, the brother-in-law of Phyllis Pruitt (Phyllis Diller).
She played Cricket Montgomery, a half-sister of the regular character Margo Montgomery Hughes, in seven episodes of the CBS soap opera As the World Turns from 1980 to 1983. Some of her other television guest appearances included Dr. Kildare, The Girl from U.N.C.L.E., Fantasy Island and Barnaby Jones (2 episodes).
Loring starred in three B-rate slasher films Blood Frenzy (1987), Iced (1988) and Savage Harbor (1987).
Actor Hugh Maguire starred as Ed Mathews on Live-In. He died on May 18, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Maguire was 90.
Maguire starred as Ed Mathews on the short-lived 1989 CBS sitcom Live-In. Ed Mathews is father of Danny Matthews (Chris Young). He is the proprietor of Mathews Sporting Goods Store in New Jersey. The series also starred Lisa Patrick, Kimberly Farr, David Moscow, Alison & Melissa Lindsay, Lightfield Lewis and Jenny O'Hara.
He had a recurring role as Hugh in 15 episodes of Cheers from 1987 to 1988. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included The Slap Maxwell Story, 227, Growing Pains (2 episodes), Wings and Martin.
Patricia McNulty (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Patricia McNulty starred as Martha Keane on The Tycoon. She died on September 4, 2023. Ms. McNulty was 80.
McNulty played Martha Keane, the granddaughter of Walter Andrews (Walter Brennan), on the 1964-1965 ABC sitcom The Tycoon. Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, Hazel, Please Don't Eat the Daisies and My Three Sons (2 episodes). She played Tina Lawton in an episode of the original Star Trek series ("Charlie X", 1966).
Actor Richard Moll was best known for playing Nostradamus "Bull" Shannon on Night Court. He died at his home in Big Bear Lake, California, on October 26, 2023. Mr. Moll was 80.
Moll starred as baliff Nostradamus "Bull" Shannon on the 1984-1992 NBC sitcom Night Court. Bull Shannon is a seemingly dim-witted hulk of a figure, is actually patient, gentle and childlike. Although he is portrayed as dull and dim, he is actually a highly intelligent person with an IQ of 181. He is fiercely protective of Harry. Bull is known for his catchphrase, "Ooo-kay", and for clapping a hand loudly to his scalp when he realizes he had made a mistake. Moll appeared as Bull in a 1989 crossover episode with My Two Dads. He also used the Bull persona in commercials for Washington's Lottery. The cast of Night Court also included Harry Anderson, John Larroquette, Paula Kelly (season 1), Karen Austin (season 2), Selma Diamond (seasons 1 and 2), Ellen Foley (season 2), Charles Robinson (seasons 2-9), Markie Post (seasons 3-9), Florence Halop (season 3) and Marsha Warfield (seasons 4-9).
He had a recurring role as Drifter in 25 episodes of the 1999-2002 Nickelodeon sitcom 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd. Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Welcome Back, Kotter (1979), Happy Days (2 episodes), The Bad News Bears, Nobody's Perfect, Best of the West, Laverne & Shirley (2 episodes), Mork & Mindy, Alice, Just Our Luck, The Facts of Life (2 episodes as himself), Sledge Hammer!, 227, Out of This World (2 episodes), The Munsters Today, Martin, Getting By (5 episodes as Boo), Weird Science, Married with Children (2 episodes), Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Parent 'Hood, Anger Management and Kirby Buckets.
Some of his other television guest appearances included The Rockford Files, How the West Was Won, B.J. and the Bear, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo (3 episodes), Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Here's Boomer, Code Red (2 episodes), Bret Maverick (2 episodes), The Fall Guy, T.J. Hooker, Remington Steele, Fantasy Island, The Dukes of Hazzard (2 episodes), The A-Team (2 episodes), Highlander, Due South, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (4 episodes), Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Babylon 5, Baywatch, 7th Heaven, Smallville and Cold Case.
Moll was also known for his voiceover work as a villain with a deep, growling voice. He voiced Harvey Dent/Two-Face in the DC Animated Universe series Batman: The Animated Series and The New Batman Adventures. He was the voice of Norman in Mighty Max. Some of his other voiceover credits included The Legend of Calamity Jane, The Incredible Hulk (2 episodes), Spider-Man: The Animated Series (6 episodes) and Justice League (2 episodes).
He starred as Big Ben in the 1986 horror film House. He earned a Saturn Award nomination for the role. Some of his other film credits included The Sword and the Sorcerer (1982), Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn (1983), Sidekicks (1992), The Flintstones (1994), But I'm a Cheerleader (1999), Scary Movie 2 (2001) and Headless Horseman (2007).
Michael Norell (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor, writer and executive producer Michael Norell starred as Captain Henry "Hank" Stanley on Emergency!. He died on May 12, 2023, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Mr. Norell was 85.
Norell starred as Captain Henry "Hank" Stanley on the 1972-1977 NBC action-adventure medical drama Emergency!. The Jack Webb-produced series also starred Robert Fuller, Julie London, Bobby Troup, Randolph Mantooth, Kevin Tighe, Tim Donnelly, Mike Stoker, Marco Lopez, Ron Pinkhard and Vince Howard.
He also wrote four episodes of Emergency! from 1974 to 1977. Some of his other television writing credits included The Love Boat (12 episodes), Love Boat: The Next Wave, The Magnificent Seven (1998-2000) (2 episodes) and Nash Bridges (6 episodes). He created and was executive producer for the 1981 ABC short-lived The Love Boat clone Aloha Paradise, which starred Debbie Reynolds and Bill Daily.
Actress Judy Nugent starred as Donna Ruggles on The Ruggles. She died from cancer at her Montana ranch, on October 26, 2023. Ms. Nugent was 83.
Nugent starred as Donna Ruggles on the 1949-1952 ABC sitcom The Ruggles. The series was broadcast live. Episodes were recorded on kinescope, and some of them survive in the UCLA Film and Television Archive. The star of the series is comedian Charlie Ruggles, playing a character with the same name. It also starred Irene Tedrow (1949), Erin O'Brien-Moore (1950-1952), Margaret Kerry, Tommy Bernard and Jimmy Hawkins.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Life of Riley, The Danny Thomas Show, The Ann Sothern Show, The Dennis O'Keefe Show, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis and The Gertrude Berg Show.
She played Jet Maypen on the Walt Disney Presents: Annette serial on The Mickey Mouse Club in 1958. Some of her other television guest appearances included The Lone Ranger, Adventures of Superman, Annie Oakley, Lassie, The Thin Man, Sugarfoot, The Millionaire, 77 Sunset Strip, Rawhide and The Tall Man (5 episodes).
Some of her film credits included Magnificent Obsession (1954), Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm (1954) and There's Always Tomorrow (1956).
Raymond O'Connor (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Character actor Raymond O'Connor made many sitcom guest appearances. He died on October 9, 2023. Mr. O'Connor was 68.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Hooperman, Growing Pains, Who's the Boss?, Baby Talk, Down the Shore, Roc (2 episodes), Phenom (2 episodes), Seinfeld, Sister, Sister (2 episodes), Wings, Boy Meets World, The Steve Harvey Show, The Wayans Bros., Two of a Kind, Becker, The Michael Richards Show and Malcom in the Middle.
Actor Ryan O'Neal starred as Bobby Tannen on Good Sports. He died at Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California, on December 8, 2023. His cause of death was congestive heart failure, with cardiomyopathy listed as a contributing factor. Mr. O'Neal was 82.
O'Neal starred as Bobby Tannen with his then-partner Farrah Fawcett on the short-lived 1991 CBS sitcom Good Sports. The series is about Bobby Tannen, a once-famous former football player for the Green Bay Packers gone to seed and Gayle Roberts (Fawcett), an ex-Miss America, as mismatched anchors on an all-sports cable network called ASCN (All Sports Cable Network). The cast included Lane Smith, Brian Doyle-Murray, Cleavant Derricks, Christine Dunford, Paul Feig and William Katt.
He made his first television appearance guest appearance in 1960 in an episode of The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. Some of his other sitcom guest appearances included Bachelor Father, Leave it to Beaver (pictured above) and My Three Sons. He appeared as himself in two episodes The Larry Sanders Show in 1995.
O'Neal starred as Tal Garret on the 1962-1963 NBC western drama Empire. He starred as Rodney Harrington on the 1964-1969 ABC primetime soap opera Peyton Place. He had a semi-recurring role as Robert Roberts, Jr. in six episodes of the 2000-2001 TNT drama Bull. In 2003, he starred as Jerrold Fox, the father of Kate Fox (Alicia Silverstone), on the NBC romantic comedy-drama Miss Match. He had a recurring role as Max Keenan, the father of Temperance "Bones" Brennan (Emily Deschanel), in 24 episodes of Bones from 2006 to 2017.
Some of his other drama guest appearances included The Untouchables (uncredited), General Electric Theater, The DuPont Show with June Allyson, Laramie, Two Faces West, Westinghouse Playhouse (3 episodes), The Virginian, Perry Mason, Wagon Train, Desperate Housewives and 90210 (3 episodes as Spence Montgomery).
O'Neal starred as Oliver Barrett IV in Love Story (1970). He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama for the role. Some of his other film credits included What's Up, Doc? (1972), Paper Moon (1973), Barry Lyndon (1975), A Bridge Too Far (1977), The Driver (1978), Oliver's Story (1978), The Main Event (1979), Irreconcilable Differences (1984), Chances Are (1989) and Faithful (1996).
Actor Lew Palter guest starred in a number of sitcoms. He died from lung cancer at home in Los Angeles, California, on May 21, 2023. Mr. Palter was 94.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Flying Nun (6 episodes), Nanny and the Professor, The Doris Day Show (2 episodes), Here's Lucy, The Brady Bunch, Soap, Bosom Buddies, Too Close for Comfort, Day by Day and Madman of the People.
He was best known for his role as Isidor Straus in the 1997 film Titanic.
Hersha Parady (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress Hersha Parady was best known for her role of Alice Garvey on Little House on the Prairie. She died of complications from a brain tumor in Norfolk, Virginia, on August 23, 2023. Ms. Parady was 78.
She played Principal Dimly in two episodes of the Nickelodeon sitcom Kenan & Kel in 1997 and 1998. Some of her other television guest apparances included Bearcats!, Mannix, The Waltons, The Phoenix and Second Noah.
Matthew Perry (IMDB/Wikipedia)
American and Canadian actor Matthew Perry starred as Chandler Bing on Friends. On October 28, 2023, he was found unresponsive in a hot tub at his home in Los Angeles, California, and was pronounced dead at 4:17 pm that day. His death was revealed to have occurred due to "acute effects of ketamine". Other circumstances that contributed to his death included the effects of buprenorphine, drowning, and coronary artery disease. Mr. Perry was 54.
Perry's first television starring role was as Chazz Russell on the Fox sitcom Second Chance, which aired from September 26 to November 28, 1987. In its original format, the show starred Kiel Martin as Charles Russell, a deceased man, and Perry as his younger self, who is nicknamed Chazz. The series was then revamped under the new title Boys Will Be Boys, and ran in the new format from January 16 to May 14, 1988. In this revamp, the supernatural element was dropped, causing Kiel Martin and Joseph Maher to exit the cast. As the new title implied, the format now revolved solely around the antics of Chazz, Booch and Eugene. The casts included Randee Heller, William Gallo, Demian Slade, Terri Ivens (1988) and Adam Sadowsky (1988).
He next starred as Billy Kells on the short-lived 1990 CBS sitcom Sydney. Sydney Kells (Valerie Bertinelli), a private investigator from a family of police officers, relocates her one-woman private detective agency from New York City to her small hometown. Her over-protective brother Billy, a rookie police officer, tries to help her when he can. The series also starred Craig Bierko, Barney Martin, Rebeccah Bush, Perry Anzilotti and Daniel Baldwin.
Perry starred as Matt Bailey on the short-lived 1993 ABC sitcom Home Free. Matt Bailey is a free-spirited, if somewhat lazy, 22-year-old freelance journalist enjoying the good life at home with his indulgent mom Grace (Marian Mercer). The series also starred Diana Canova, Anndi McAfee, Scott McAfee, Dan Schneider, Brooke Theiss and Alan Oppenheimer.
He starred as Chandler Bing on the 1994-2004 NBC sitcom Friends. The show, which aired for ten seasons, revolves around six friends in their 20s and 30s who live in Manhattan, New York City. Chandler Bing is an executive in statistical analysis and data reconfiguration for a large, multinational corporation. He marries Monica, one of his best friends, in season seven, and they adopt twins at the end of the series. Perry received an Emmy nomination in 2002 for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series award. He shared a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for the role in 1996. Perry made a cameo as Chandler Bing in a 1995 episode of Caroline in the City. He appeared as himself in Friends: The Reunion in 2021. The cast of Friends included Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer.
Perry was the co-creator, co-writer, executive producer, and star of the short-lived 2011 ABC sitcom Mr. Sunshine. Ben Donovan (Perry) is the operations manager for the Sunshine Center, a second-tier arena in San Diego, who has to deal with the unusual demands of his job and his unpredictable boss, Crystal Cohen (Allison Janney). The single-camera comedy also starred Andrea Anders, James Lesure, Nate Torrence and Portia Doubleday.
He starred as Ryan King on the 2012-2013 NBC sitcom Go On. Ryan King is a sports talk radio host who joins a support group while trying to move on from his late wife's death. Perry was also one of the executive producers. The single-camera comedy also starred Laura Benanti, Julie White, Suzy Nakamura, Tyler James Williams, Brett Gelman, Sarah Baker and John Cho.
Perry co-developed, executive produced and starred in a reboot of the sitcom The Odd Couple portraying Oscar Madison for three seasons on CBS from 2015 to 2017. The show stars Matthew Perry as the slovenly Oscar Madison and Thomas Lennon as the obsessively-tidy Felix Unger. The cast included Lindsay Sloane, Yvette Nicole Brown and Wendell Pierce.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Charles in Charge, Silver Spoons, Just the Ten of Us, Empty Nest, Growing Pains (3 episodes as Sandy), Who's the Boss?, Dream On, The John Larroquette Show, Cougar Town and Web Therapy (2 episodes). In 2004, he made his directorial debut and acted as Murray in an episode of the fourth season of Scrubs, an episode which included his father, John Bennett Perry.
He starred as Matt Albie on the 2006-2007 NBC comedy-drama Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, which was created and primarily written by Aaron Sorkin. The series takes place behind the scenes of a live sketch comedy show (also called Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip or Studio 60) on the fictional television network NBS (National Broadcasting System), whose format is similar to that of NBC's Saturday Night Live. The show-within-a-show is run by executive producers Matt Albie and Danny Tripp (Bradley Whitford). Matt serves as the head writer and Danny produces the show.
Perry received two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2003 and 2004 for his performance as Joe Quincy in The West Wing. He appeared as attorney Todd Merrick in two episodes of Ally McBeal in 2002. He had a recurring role as attorney Mike Kresteva in four episodes of The Good Wife from 2012 to 2013 and three episodes of The Good Fight in 2017. He portrayed Ted Kennedy in the mini-series The Kennedys: After Camelot in 2017. Some of his other television guest apparances included 240-Robert, Highway to Heaven (2 episodes) and Beverly Hills, 90210 (1991).
He starred as Nicholas "Oz" Oseransky in The Whole Nine Yards (2000) and its sequel The Whole Ten Yards (2004). Some of his other film credits included A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon (1988), She's Out of Control (1989), Fools Rush In (1997), Almost Heroes (1998), Three to Tango (1999), Serving Sara (2002), and 17 Again (2009). He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his role as Ron Clark in the 2006 TNT movie The Ron Clark Shory.
Lance Reddick (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Lance Reddick was best known for playing Cedric Daniels in The Wire (2002–2008), Phillip Broyles in Fringe (2008–2013), and Chief Irvin Irving in Bosch (2014–2020). He died from heart disease on March 17, 2023, at his home in Studio City, California. Mr. Reddick was 60.
Reddick was also known for portraying Detective Johnny Basil in Oz (1997–2003), Matthew Abaddon in Lost (2004–2010), and Albert Wesker and his clones in the Netflix series Resident Evil (2022).
He starred as Christian DeVille on the 2018-2020 Comedy Central sitcom Corporate. Corporate is set in multinational corporation Hampton DeVille and follows the miserable lives of two downtrodden employees.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Nanny, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Wilfred and Young Sheldon.
In film, he was best known for starring as Charon in the John Wick franchise (2014–2023) and as General Caulfield in White House Down (2013).
Actor and comedian Paul Reubens was best known for creating and portraying the character Pee-wee Herman. He died on July 30, 2023, from acute hypoxic respiratory failure, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. At the time of his death he was diagnosed with both myelogenous leukemia and metastatic lung cancer. He had been diagnosed six years earlier, but had not revealed his diagnosis to the public. Mr. Reubens was 70.
Reubens made his sitcom debut in 1979 with two guest appearances as Heimlich, a delivery boy, in Working Stiffs, which starred James Belushi and Michael Keaton. He played Dickie Nimitz in the 1981 Mork & Mindy episode "Long Before We Met." He wears a blue bowtie and suit similar to what his Pee-wee Herman costume would become.
His first appearance as Pee-wee Herman in a sitcom was in Madame's Place in 1982. He appeared as Pee-wee Herman in the 1987 227 episode "Toyland." While visiting a toy shop, Mary and Lester (Marla Gibbs and Hal Williams), run into Pee-wee Herman...and end up in the middle of a robbery.
Reubens had a recurring role as Andrew J. Lansing III in six episodes of the CBS sitcom Murphy Brown between 1995 and 1997. Andrew J. Lansing III is Stan Lansing's (Garry Marshall) sociopathic nephew. He is introduced as one of Murphy's (Candice Bergen) 93 secretaries du jour and was one of only three who measure up to Murphy's standards. The role earned him positive reviews and his first and only non-Pee-wee Emmy nomination, for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 1995.
He appeared as Russell, Amy's (Monica Horan) eccentric brother, in the 2000 Everybody Loves Raymond episode "Hackidu." Some of his other sitcom guest appearances as other characters included Campus Ladies in 2006, Reno 911! in 2006, and 30 Rock in 2007. He played an inbred Austrian prince named Gerhardt Hapsburg in the 30 Rock episode "Black Tie." In 2019, he appeared in episodes of What We Do in the Shadows and The Conners.
Some of his other television credits in various roles included Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Ally McBeal, Dirt (3 episodes), Pushing Daisies (2 episodes), Portlandia, The Blacklist (5 episodes as Mr. Vargas), and Gotham (3 episodes).
Reubens starred as Pee-wee Herman on the CBS Saturday morning children's program Pee-wee's Playhouse. It ran for five seasons from 1986 to 1990. The series garnered 15 Emmy Awards during its initial run, and was aired again on late-night television in the 2000s, during which TV Guide dubbed it among the top ten cult classic television programs. Reubens was also a writer, director, executive producer and set decorator. The cast included Laurence Fishburne, Lynne Marie Stewart, Phil Hartman, S. Epatha Merkerson and John Paragon.
He was also known for his voice work. Some of his credits included The Flintstone Comedy Show, Chowder, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Tron: Uprising, American Dad!, and Voltron: Legendary Defender.
Reubens produced, wrote and starred in the feature film, Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985), directed by Tim Burton, which was a financial and critical success. He produced, wrote and starred in the sequel Big Top Pee-wee (1988). He co-wrote and starred in the Netflix original film Pee-wee's Big Holiday (2016).
Some of his other film credits included Midnight Madness (1980), The Blues Brothers (1980), Cheech & Chong's Next Movie (1980) (as Pee-wee Herman/Desk Clerk), Back to the Beach (1987) (as Pee-wee Herman), Batman Returns (1992), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) (voice), Dunston Checks In (1996), Matilda (1996), Buddy (1997), Mystery Men (1999), and Blow (2001).
Actor Adam Rich was best known for his role as Nicholas Bradford on Eight Is Enough. He died from an accidental fentanyl overdose at his Los Angeles, California home on January 7, 2023. Mr. Rich was 54.
Rich starred as Nicholas Bradford, the youngest son, on the 1977-1981 ABC comedy-drama Eight Is Enough. The show was modeled on the life of syndicated newspaper columnist Tom Braden, a real-life parent with eight children, who wrote a book by the same title. The cast included Dick Van Patten, Diana Hyland (season 1), Betty Buckley (seasons 2-5), Grant Goodeve, Lani O'Grady, Laurie Walters, Susan Richardson, Dianne Kay, Connie Needham (Newton) and Willie Aames.
He appeared as Nicholas Bradford in a 1980 episode of 3-2-1 Contact. He reprised the role in the NBC reunion movies Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion in 1987 and An Eight Is Enough Wedding in 1989.
Rich starred as Danny Blake on the 1981-1982 ABC action drama series Code Red, which was produced by Irwin Allen. The series stars Lorne Greene as Battalion Fire Chief Joe Rorchek and his family, some of whom, his elder sons Ted (Andrew Stevens) and Chris (Sam J. Jones), serve as firemen under his direct command as part of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The cast included Julie Adams, Martina Deignan, Joe Maross, James Crittenden, Dennis Haysbert and Jack Lindine.
He starred as Clovis in the final two episodes of the short-lived 1983 CBS sitcom Gun Shy. The series, produced by Walt Disney Productions, was based on its popular comedy-western films The Apple Dumpling Gang (1975) and The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again (1979). The cast included Barry Van Dyke, Tim Thomerson, Geoffrey Lewis, Keith Mitchell, Bridgette Andersen, Henry Jones, Janis Paige and Pat McCormick.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat, Silver Spoons and Small Wonder (2 episodes).
Some of his drama guest appearances included The Six Million Dollar Man, Fantasy Island (2 episodes), CHiPs (2 episodes), St. Elsewhere and Baywatch.
He provided the voice of Presto, the Magician, on the 1983-1985 CBS animated series Dungeons & Dragons. Presto is the 14-year-old Wizard of the team. His Eight Is Enough co-star Willie Aames provided the voice of Hank, the Ranger. Happy Days star Don Most provided the voice of Eric, the Cavalier.
Rich played Toby Hart in the 1981 feature film The Devil and Max Devlin, which starred Elliott Gould, Bill Cosby and Susan Anspach. He made a cameo as himself in Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003).
Television producer and writer Stan Rogow worked on Lizzie McGuire. He died at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, on December 7, 2023. Mr. Rogow was 75.
Rogow created 1992 CBS comedy-drama Middle Ages. He earned three Emmy nominations, one in 1982 for NBC's Fame, and two for Disney Channel's Lizzie McGuire.
Richard Roundtree (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Richard Roundtree starred as Henry Carlisle on Buddies and as Jebediah McKellen on Family Reunion. He died of pancreatic cancer at his home in Los Angeles, California, on October 24, 2023. Mr. Roundtree was 81.
Roundtree starred as Henry Carlisle on the short-lived 1996 ABC sitcom Buddies. The series also starred Dave Chappelle, Christopher Gartin, Paula Cale, Tanya Wright and Judith Ivey.
He had a recurring role as Jebediah McKellen in 22 episodes of the Netflix sitcom Family Reunion from 2019 to 2022. Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Love Boat (2 episodes), A Different World (2 episodes), Amen (2 episodes), Roc (4 episodes), The Wayans Bros., Dream On, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (2 episodes) and Meet the Browns.
He was best known for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 blaxploitation film Shaft and four of its sequels, Shaft's Big Score! (1972), Shaft in Africa (1973), its 2000 sequel and its 2019 sequel, as well as the eponymous television series (1973–1974).
Roundtree starred as Isaiah "Ice" McAdams on The Outlaws. He played Phil Thomas in 413 Hope Street. He starred as Captain Durfee on Rescue 77.
Japanese-American actress Eileen Saki played the bar owner Rosie on M*A*S*H. She died from pancreatic cancer in Los Angeles, California on May 1, 2023. Ms. Saki was 79.
Saki was the final and longest-running actress to play Rosie, proprietor of Rosie's Bar, on M*A*S*H. She appeared in eight episodes as Rosie from 1979 to 1981. She also had a small but memorable role in the season 5 premiere episode ("Bug Out") as the head Madam of a coquettish group of prostitutes.
Her other sitcom guest appearances included Good Times and Gimme a Break!. Some of her other television guest appearances included CHiPs, The Greatest American Hero, Sidekicks and Without a Trace.
She played Dr. Fujimoto in Splash (1984).
Television writer and producer Stu Silver worked on Soap and Webster. He died from complications of prostate cancer in Rochester, New York, on July 18, 2023. Mr. Silver was 76.
Silver created It's a Living with Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon. He created the 1983-1989 sitcom Webster and the 1990-1991 Fox sitcom Good Grief.
Some of his writing credits included Benson, Soap (55 episodes), Bosom Buddies, Star of the Family (2 episodes), The New Odd Couple and Brothers (13 episodes from 1984-1985).
He wrote Throw Momma from the Train (1987).
Shelley Smith (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Fashion model and actress Shelley Smith starred as Sara James on The Associates. She suffered a cardiac arrest on August 5, 2023. She died at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital in Los Angeles, California, on August 8, 2023. Ms. Smith was 70.
Smith starred as Sara James on the 1979-1980 ABC sitcom The Associates. The series, which was based on the novel of the same name by John Jay Osborn Jr., was the first bonafide starring vehicle for Martin Short and centered on a small group of young novice lawyers who worked at a Wall Street law firm. It was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards. The cast included Wilfrid Hyde-White, Joe Regalbuto, Alley Mills, and Tim Thomerson.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included The Stockard Channing Show, Angie, The Love Boat (2 episodes), Diff'rent Strokes, and Webster.
She starred as Capt. Carolyn Engel on the 1983-1984 NBC military drama For Love and Honor. Some of her other television guest appearances included Tenspeed and Brown Shoe, The Phoenix, Hart to Hart (2 episodes), Fantasy Island, Hotel, Lady Blue, The New Mike Hammer, Hunter, Magnum, P.I. (2 episodes), Simon & Simon (4 episodes), Dragnet (1989), and Murder, She Wrote (2 episodes).
Tom Smothers (IMDB/Wikipedia/The Interviews/YouTube)
Comedian, actor, composer, and musician Tom Smothers was widely known as half of the musical comedy duo the Smothers Brothers, alongside his younger brother Dick. He died from lung cancer at his home in Santa Rosa, California, on December 26, 2023. Mr. Smothers was 86.
Tom and Dick starred as themselves on the 1965-1966 CBS sitcom The Smothers Brothers Show (aka My Brother the Angel). The fantasy sitcom was the first television show to feature the Smothers Brothers as regulars, following a series of night club and guest appearances. Dick Smothers played himself as a rising young executive at Pandora Publications, working for publisher Leonard J. Costello (Roland Winters). Brother Tom had been lost at sea two years earlier and now shows up as an apprentice angel assigned to do good deeds on Earth to earn his wings and become a full-fledged angel. The series also starred Harriet MacGibbon and Ann Elder.
They starred on the 1967-1969 CBS comedy and variety series The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. The series was a major success, especially considering it was scheduled against the major NBC television series Bonanza, with content that appealed to contemporary youth viewership with daring political satire humor and major music acts such as Buffalo Springfield, Pete Seeger, Cream, and the Who. The show won the Emmy Award in 1969 for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy, Variety or Music. The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour was revived for the 1988–89 television season.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Danny Thomas Show (1962), Love, American Style (1971), The Love Boat (2 episodes), Benson, Dream On, Suddenly Susan (3 episodes as Attica), Maggie, Norm (2 episodes) and Life with Bonnie. He voiced himself for a 2009 episode of The Simpsons.
Smothers starred as Bones Howard on the short-lived 1981 NBC comedy-drama Fitz and Bones. Bones Howard was a somewhat inept cameraman. Dick Smothers played Ryan Fitzpatrick, an aggressive investigative reporter for Newsline 3, on a San Francisco television station.
Suzanne Somers (IMDB/Wikipedia/The Interviews)
Actress, author, singer and businesswoman Suzanne Somers starred as Chrissy Snow on Three's Company and as Carol Foster Lambert on Step by Step. She died from breast cancer at her home in Palm Springs, California, on October 15, 2023, the day before her 77th birthday.
Somers starred as Chrissy Snow on the ABC sitcom Three's Company from 1977 to 1981. The story revolves around three single roommates: Jack Tripper (John Ritter), Janet Wood (Joyce DeWitt), and Chrissy Snow, who all platonically live together in a Santa Monica, California, apartment complex owned by Stanley (Norman Fell) and Helen Roper (Audra Lindley). Christmas "Chrissy" Snow works as an office secretary. Somers's contract was not renewed after the fifth season following a contract dispute and Chrissy's place in the apartment was taken by her clumsy cousin Cindy Snow (Jenilee Harrison). The cast also included Richard Kline (1978-1984), Don Knotts (1979-1984), Ann Wedgeworth (1979-1980) and Priscilla Barnes (1981-1984).
She starred as Sheriff Hildy Granger on the 1987-1989 first-run syndicated sitcom She's the Sheriff. Hildy Granger is a widow with two young kids who decided to fill the shoes of her late husband, a sheriff of fictional Lakes County, Nevada (near Lake Tahoe). Somers wrote an episode in 1989. The series, which aired for two seasons, also starred George Wyner, Pat Carroll, Lou Richards, Guich Koock, Leonard Lightfoot, Taliesin Jaffe and Nicky Rose.
Somers starred as Carol Foster Lambert on the 1991-1998 sitcom Step by Step. It ran on ABC as part of its TGIF Friday night lineup from September 20, 1991, to August 15, 1997, then moved to CBS, where it aired from September 19, 1997, to June 26, 1998. Patrick Duffy and Somers starred as single parents Frank and Carol, respectively; each with three children, who wed and form a blended family. Carol is the matriarch of the Foster family, who works as a beautician and runs a hair salon out of a room in her house, originally with the cooperation of her mother, Ivy, and sister, Penny. Eventually, with Frank's help, she opens a bigger studio at a stand-alone location in the sixth season. The cast included Brandon Call, Staci Keanan, Angela Watson, Christopher Castile, Josh Byrne (1991-1997), Sasha Mitchell (1991-1996), Patrika Darbo (1991-1992), Peggy Rea (1991-1992), Emily Mae Young (1997-1998), Bronson Pinchot (1997) and Jason Marsden (1997-1998).
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Lotsa Luck, One Day at a Time, The Love Boat, Billy (1979), The Ropers (as Chrissy Snow), The Larry Sanders Show, Full House and The Naked Truth. Some of her other television guest appearances included The Rockford Files, Starsky & Hutch (3 episodes), The Six Million Dollar Man and Sisters.
Somers played the "Blonde in the white Thunderbird" in American Graffiti (1973). In the early 1990s, she was the spokeswoman in a series of infomercials for the Thighmaster, a piece of exercise equipment which is squeezed between one's thighs above the knees. She hosted the daytime talk show The Suzanne Somers Show from 1994 to 1995. She co-hosted Candid Camera with Peter Funt on CBS from 1997 to 2000. In the fall of 2012, she hosted The Suzanne Show for 13 episodes on the Lifetime Network. In 2015, she competed on Dancing with the Stars. She wrote several books, including two autobiographies, four diet books, and a book of poetry.
Arleen Sorkin (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress and writer Arleen Sorkin played Geneva on the Fox sitcom Duet. She died on August 24, 2023, in Los Angeles, California, of complications from pneumonia and multiple sclerosis. Ms. Sorkin was 67.
Sorkin was known for portraying Calliope Jones on the NBC daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives. She appeared in 427 episodes from 1984 to 1990, 1992, 2001, 2006, and 2010. The wacky but lovable Calliope Jones was employed in Liz Curtis's clothing business and her first scenes featured her making a dress for Anna DiMera. One of her trademarks was her endless collections of hats, which were very creative and sometimes very outlandish.
She had a recurring role as Geneva, a sexy maid to yuppie couple Richard (Chris Lemmon) and Linda Phillips (Alison LaPlaca), in 25 episodes of the 1987-1989 Fox sitcom Duet. The cast included Matthew Laurance, Mary Page Keller, Jodi Thelen, Larry Poindexter (1987-1988), and Ginger Orsi (1988-1989).
Sorkin reprised her role of Geneva in three episodes of the Fox sitcom Open House in 1989. The 1989-1990 sitcom was a spin-off of Duet. The cast included Alison LaPlaca, Philip Charles MacKenzie, Mary Page Keller, Chris Lemmon, Danny Gans, Ellen DeGeneres, Nick Tate, Ginger Orsi, and Ray Buktenica.
She guest starred in a 1990 episode of Dream On. She appeared as Rachel, the owner of a monkey, in the final episode of Frasier in 2004.
Sorkin and Paul Slanksy created the 1997-1998 NBC sitcom Fired Up. She was the co-writer of the story and screenplay of the 1997 Jennifer Aniston film Picture Perfect.
She co-hosted the first two seasons (1990-1992) of ABC's America's Funniest People with Dave Coulier. The show focused on people intentionally trying to be funny, doing things such as telling jokes, doing impressions, singing, dancing, performing scripted material, attempting wacky stunts, pulling pranks, etc. She was replaced by Tawny Kitaen for seasons three and four.
Sorkin was the real-life inspiration and voice for DC Comics villain Harley Quinn, co-created by her friend Paul Dini on Batman: The Animated Series. She also voiced the character for episodes of The New Batman Adventures, Superman: The Animated Series, Gotham Girls, Static Shock, and Justice League.
Jerry Springer (IMDB/Wikipedia)
British-born American television host and actor Jerry Springer was best known for hosting the sometimes controversial tabloid talk show Jerry Springer from 1991 to 2018. He died on April 27, 2023, at his home in Evanston, Illinois. A family spokesperson said that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few months prior to his death. Mr. Springer was 79.
He was also the host of America's Got Talent from 2007 to 2008, and of the courtroom show Judge Jerry from 2019 to 2022.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Married... with Children, Roseanne, Night Stand (2 episodes), The Steve Harvey Show, The Wayans Bros., The Simpsons (voice), Love Boat: The Next Wave, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Malcolm & Eddie, Suddenly Susan, Son of the Beach, George Lopez (2 episodes) and Are We There Yet?. Some of his other television guest appearances included The X-Files, Early Edition, V.I.P., Days of Our Lives and Happy! (2017).
Garn Stephens (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actress and writer Garn Stephens starred as Harriet Hastings on Phyllis. She died on April 2, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. Ms. Stephens was 78.
Stephens starred as Harriet Hastings in the second season the CBS sitcom Phyllis. Harriet Hastings is Phyllis Lindstrom's (Cloris Leachman) co-worker. Like Leonard Marsh (John Lawlor), Harriet does not have a very friendly relationship with Phyllis.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included All in the Family, Barney Miller, Family Ties, Foley Square and Have Faith. Some of her other other television guest appearances included Charlie's Angels, Falcon Crest and Quantum Leap (1993).
She received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series for her work on a 1983 episode of St. Elsewhere. Her other writing credits included Trapper John, M.D. (2 episodes), Hotel and Trial by Jury.
Her feature film credits included The Sunshine Boys (1975) and Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982).
Frances Sternhagen (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Tony Award-winning stage and screen actress Frances Sternhagen had recurring roles as Esther Clavin in Cheers and as Bunny MacDougal in Sex and the City. She died at her home in New Rochelle, New York, on November 27, 2023. Ms. Sternhagen was 93.
Sternhagen starred as Millie Sprague in 7 episodes of the NBC sitcom Under One Roof in 1985. Millie and Ben Sprague (Harold Gould) were Spencer Winger's (Ross Harris) maternal grandparents. She was the mother of Doris Winger (Mimi Kennedy). The show was originally titled Spencer in 1984 and starred Chad Lowe as Spencer Winger. The cast included Ronny Cox, Amy Locane, Richard Sanders, Beverly Archer, Grant Heslov and Dean Cameron.
She had a recurring role as Esther Clavin in 7 episodes of the NBC sitcom Cheers from 1986 to 1993. Esther "Ma" Clavin is the mother of Cliff Clavin (John Ratzenberger). It is first mentioned in the third season that Cliff lives with her, for which the other barflies mocked him. One of Esther's pastimes is making pretzels in unintentionally unusual shapes, which Cliff brings them into the bar in "Second Time Around" (1986). Sternhagen received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for the role in 1991 and 1992.
Sternhagen had a recurring role as Bunny MacDougal in 10 episodes of the HBO romantic comedy-drama Sex and the City from 2000 to 2002. Bunny MacDougal is the overbearing mother of Dr. Trey MacDougal (Kyle MacLachlan), a manipulative sort who intrudes on Trey and Charlotte's (Kristin Davis) relationship and apartment on a regular basis. She received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for the role in 2002.
She provided the voice of Mrs. Bellamy for a 2002 episode of The Simpsons. She guest starred as Naomi in a 2004 episode of Becker.
Stenhagen starred as Charlotte Babineaux in the short-lived 1994 family drama The Family Home. She starred as Gina Williams in the 1991 CBS miniseries Stephen King's Golden Years. She had a recurring role as Millicent Carter, the grandmother of John Carter (Noah Wyle), in 21 episodes of the NBC medical drama ER from 1997 to 2003. She had a recurring role as Willie Ray Johnson in 15 episodes of the TNT police procedural from 2006 to 2012.
Some of her other television guest appearances included The Nurses, The Defenders, Profiles in Courage, For the People, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, Law & Order (2 episodes), Tales from the Crypt, The Outer Limits (1995) and Parenthood (2012).
She worked for many years in soap operas. She played Toni Prentiss Davis on Love of Life, Jessie Reddin on The Secret Storm, Phyllis Corrigan on The Doctors (42 episodes) and Jane Overstreet in Another World. She is also recognized as Mrs. Marsh from a series of television commercials for Colgate toothpaste that aired in the 1970s.
Sternhagen gained acclaim for her extensive career on the Broadway stage. She made her debut in The Skin of Our Teeth (1955). She went on to receive two Tony Awards for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performances as various characters in Neil Simon's comedic play The Good Doctor (1973) and as Lavinia Penniman in Ruth and Augustus Goetz's dramatic play The Heiress (1995). Her other Tony-nominated roles were for The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window (1972), Equus (1975), Angel (1978), On Golden Pond (1979) and Morning's at Seven (2002).
She starred as Sheriff Buster's (Richard Farnsworth) wife Deputy Virginia in Rob Reiner's Misery (1990). Some of her other film credits included The Hospital (1971), Starting Over (1979), Outland (1981), Bright Lights, Big City (1988), Doc Hollywood (1991), Raising Cain (1992), See You in the Morning (1989), The Mist (2007), Julie & Julia (2009), Dolphin Tale (2011) and And So It Goes (2014).
Actress Inga Swenson starred as Gretchen Kraus on Benson. She died in Los Angeles, California, on July 23, 2023. Ms. Swenson was 90.
Swenson guest starred as Ingrid Svenson in eight episodes of the ABC sitcom Soap from 1978 to 1979. Ingrid Svenson is Corinne Tate's (Diana Canova) Swedish biological mother, who was the former maid of Jessica (Katherine Helmond) and Mary's (Cathryn Damon) parents, and who was in love with Jessica and Mary's brother, Randolph Gatling (Bernard Fox). She attempts to carry out revenge upon the Tate/Campbell family for opposing her romance with Randolph. She was cast on the spinoff series Benson after her multi-episode stint.
She starred as Gretchen Kraus on the 1979-1986 ABC sitcom Benson. Gretchen Kraus is the autocratic and acerbic German cook. She is a fiercely proud German immigrant, who is often at odds with Benson (Robert Guillaume) and trades insults with him. A running gag in the series was whenever she would walk out of the room, under his breath, Benson would cast one last barb toward Kraus, to which she shouted from off-stage, "I He-e-e-ear You-u-u-u!". She later became Benson's secretary after Denise left. Swenson's portrayal garnered three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series in 1980, 1982 and 1985. The cast included James Noble, Missy Gold, Caroline McWilliams (1979-1981), Lewis J. Stadlen (1979-1980), René Auberjonois (1980-1986), Ethan Phillips (1980-1985), Didi Conn (1981-1985), and Billie Bird (1984-1986).
Swenson had a recurring role as Connie Stratford in five episodes of the CBS sitcom Doctor, Doctor from 1990 to 1991. She is the mother to Mike (Matt Frewer) and Richard (Tony Carreiro), and wife to Harold (Dakin Matthews). An excellent nurse, Connie longs to return to her profession, even to the point where she works briefly with Mike as his nurse.
Some of her sitcom guest appearances included Highcliffe Manor (unaired episode), Newhart, and The Golden Girls. She provided the voice of Grandma Helga for two episodes of Life with Louie in 1997-1998.
Swenson appeared as northern matriarch Maude Hazard in the mini-series North and South in 1985 and again in North and South: Book II in 1986. Some of her television guest appearances included Goodyear Playhouse, The United States Steel Hour (2 episodes), Playhouse 90 (2 episodes), The Defenders, Dr. Kildare, The Doctors and the Nurses, Bonanza (2 episodes), Medical Center (2 episodes), Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law (1973), Griff, The Rookies, Sara (1976), Barnaby Jones (2 episodes), Vega$, and Hotel.
She starred as Kate Keller, the mother of Helen Keller, in The Miracle Worker (1962). Some of her other film credits included Advise & Consent (1962), Lipstick (1976), The Betsy (1978), and The Mountain Men (1980).
Swenson appeared in multiple Broadway productions and was nominated twice for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performances as Lizzie Curry in 110 in the Shade and Irene Adler in Baker Street.
Douglas Tibbles (IMDB)
Writer Douglas Tibbles worked on The Munsters and My Three Sons. He died on April 12, 2023. Mr. Tibbles was 83.
Tibbles was credited as a writer for 12 episodes of The Munsters and 34 episodes of My Three Sons. Some of his other sitcom writing credits included Family Affair (2 episodes), The Andy Griffith Show (5 episodes), Bewitched (2 episodes), Room 222, The Doris Day Show (2 episodes), Love, American Style (5 episodes), Chico and the Man (1 episode), Hello, Larry (2 episodes) and The New Gidget.
Television writer and producer Jeff Vlaming worked on Weird Science. He died on January 30, 2023, from cancer in Pasadena, California. Mr. Vlaming was 63.
Vlaming wrote 11 episodes of the USA Network sitcom Weird Science from 1994 to 1997. He wrote an episode of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show in 1998.
He worked on numerous series throughout the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, including The X-Files, Xena: Warrior Princess, SyFy's Battlestar Galactica, Northern Exposure, NCIS, Numb3rs, Fringe, Teen Wolf, the NBC series Hannibal, the Cinemax series Outcast, and CW's The 100.
Actress Raquel Welch was known for her roles in the films Fantastic Voyage, One Million Years B.C. and The Three Musketeers. Her work on sitcoms included some memorable guest appearances and a starring role on Welcome to The Captain. She died from cardiac arrest on February 15, 2023, at her home in Los Angeles, California. At the time of her death, she was also suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Ms. Welch was 82.
Welch appeared as the glamorous billboard girl and presenter on the ABC weekly variety show The Hollywood Palace in 1964 and 1965. Some of her early sitcom guest appearances included McHale's Navy, Bewitched, Wendy and Me and The Baileys of Balboa (pictured with Paul Ford). She was one of many actresses who auditioned for the role of Mary Ann Summers on Gilligan's Island.
She guest starred as Captain Nirvana, an alien bounty hunter pursuing Mork (Robin Williams), in the one-hour "Mork vs. the Necrotons" episode of Mork & Mindy, which aired on November 18, 1979. Mork is captured by a female Necroton warrior named Captain Nirvana and her minions Kama and Sutra. She uses feminine charms to get information about Earth out of Mork's mind.
Welch had a recurring role as Abby Lassiter, Paul Lassiter's (Richard Kind) mom, in three episodes of Spin City from 1997 to 2000. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Evening Shade, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and 8 Simple Rules.
She played an exaggerated and highly temperamental version of herself in the Season 8 finale episode of Seinfeld titled "The Summer of George" in 1997. Kramer is forced to fire Welch from the lead role in a fictional Tony Award-winning musical, while Elaine gets into a "catfight" with her after a chance encounter on the street.
Welch starred as Charlene Van Ark on the short-lived 2008 CBS single-camera sitcom Welcome to The Captain. She spoofed herself playing a sultry actress. The series, which aired for five episodes, is about a young writer (Fran Kranz) whose life changes when he moves into a legendary old Hollywood apartment building. It also starred Chris Klein, Joanna Garcia, Al Madrigal, Valerie Azlynn and Jeffrey Tambor.
She was a regular as Dianna Brock in the second season of the CBS primetime soap opera Central Park West (also known as CPW) in 1996. She played Aunt Dora in the first season of the PBS drama American Family in 2002. She was a recurring guest star as Rosa, Ricky's (Barry Watson) mother-in-law, in the 2017 Canadian-American comedy-drama Date My Dad.
Some of her other television guest appearances included The Virginian, The Rogues, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and CSI: Miami. She hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live in 1976. She appeared on The Muppet Show in 1978 where she sang the duet "I'm a Woman" with Miss Piggy.
Welch starred as Cora Peterson in the 1966 American science fiction adventure film Fantastic Voyage. She starred as Loana in the British adventure fantasy film One Million Years B.C. in 1966. She won a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy in 1974 for her performance as Constance Bonacieux in The Three Musketeers (1973). Some of her other film credits included Bedazzled (1967), Bandolero! (1968), 100 Riles (1969), Myra Breckinridge (1970), Hannie Caulder (1971) and Kansas City Bomber (1972).
Actor Peter White had some sitcom guest appearances. He died of melanoma in Los Angeles, California, on November 1, 2023. Mr. White was 86.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included The Jeffersons, Amen, Designing Women, Hooperman, Who's the Boss?, The Naked Truth and Mad About You.
White played Lincoln Tyler in 12 episodes of All My Children. He played Breslin / Ellis Newton in six episodes of Dallas from 1984 to 1991. He had a recurring role as Arthur Cates in 16 episodes of The Colbys.
Paxton Whitehead (IMDB/Wikipedia)
English actor Paxton Whitehead starred as Albert Dudley on Marblehead Manor and had recurring roles on Ellen and Mad About You. He died on June 16, 2023, from complications of a fall at a hospital in Arlington, Virginia. Mr. Whitehead was 85.
Whitehead starred as Albert Dudley on the 1987-1988 first-run syndicated sitcom Marblehead Manor. The series concerned the goings on at the estate of the wealthy, eccentric Randolf Stonehill (Bob Fraser), heir to a corn oil fortune, and involved long-suffering butler and head of the household staff Albert, who'd known Randolf when they were children; groundskeeper Rick (Michael Richards) who had eyes for maid Lupe (Dyana Ortelli); chauffeur Jerry (Phil Morris); handyman Dwayne (Rodney Scott); and Randolf's materialistic, yet good-hearted wife Hillary (Linda Thorson). Rounding out the cast was Lupe's mischievous son Elvis (Humberto Ortiz).
He starred as Duke Stone on the 1995-1996 The WB sitcom Simon. Duke Stone is Vintage Television's eccentric owner. The series also starred Harland Williams, Jason Bateman, Andrea Bendewald, Patrick Breen and David Byrd.
Whitehead had a recurring role as Hal Conway, Maggie Conway's (Judy Geeson) first and third husband and a British neighbor across the hall, on nine episodes of Mad About You from 1992 to 1999. He played Dr. Whitcomb in three episodes of Ellen from 1995 to 1996. Some of his sitcom guest appearances included Brothers (1985), Silver Spoons, Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Baby Boom, The Nutt House, Almost Home, Dinosaurs (3 episodes), Caroline in the City, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Frasier, Friends (2 episodes as Mr. Waltham), and The Drew Carey Show.
Some of his other television guest appearances included Magnum, P.I., Hart to Hart (2 episodes), The A-Team (1986), Murder, She Wrote (1989), Law & Order, Early Edition, The West Wing (2 episodes), and Desperate Housewives.
Whitehead starred as Dr. Phillip Barbay in Back to School (1986). He starred as Uncle Millard in Kate & Leopold (2001). He was nominated for a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for his performance as Pellinore in the 1980 revival of Camelot.
Cindy Williams (IMDB/Wikipedia/The Interviews)
Actress Cindy Williams starred as Shirley Feeney on Laverne & Shirley. She died following a brief illness in Los Angeles, California, on January 25, 2023. Ms. Williams was 75.
Williams' early sitcom guest appearances included My World and Welcome to It, Barefoot in the Park, Nanny and the Professor, Getting Together and Love, American Style (2 episodes). She starred as the teenage wife with Michael Lembeck in the short-lived 1971 NBC sketch comedy series The Funny Side. Some of her other early television guest appearances included Room 222 (3 episodes), Hawaii Five-O, Cannon, Insight, Police Story and Petrocelli.
She first appeared as Shirley Feeney in the November 11, 1975, episode of Happy Days titled "A Date with Fonzie." Laverne DeFazio (Penny Marshall) and Shirley Feeney were a pair of wise-cracking brewery workers, who were "sure-thing" dates for Fonzie (Henry Winkler) and Richie (Ron Howard). After the success of their appearance, Garry Marshall decided to create a spin-off series for them.
Williams starred as Shirley Feeney on the 1976-1983 ABC sitcom Laverne & Shirley. Laverne and Shirley were two friends and roommates who worked as bottle-cappers in the fictitious Shotz Brewery in late 1950s Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Shirley is the perky, positive one. She also tends to be meek, while Laverne is more outspoken. She has a special relationship with her stuffed cat Boo Boo Kitty, a name Williams gave the toy after forgetting a line in rehearsal, and was the name of her mother's cat. Williams appeared in 158 episodes of the series. She left the series after the second episode of the show's eighth and what would become its final season, after she became pregnant with her first child. The series also starred Michael McKean, David L. Lander, Eddie Mekka, Phil Foster, Betty Garrett (1976-1981), Carole Ita White (1976-1977), Ed Marinaro (1980-1981) and Leslie Easterbrook (1980-1983).
She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1978. In 1981, she directed the episode "Sing, Sing, Sing." She guest starred as Shirley in four other episodes of Happy Days. She voiced the character in 13 episodes the 1981-1982 ABC animated series Laverne & Shirley in the Army and one episode of the Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour in 1982. She appeared in the specials "The Laverne & Shirley Reunion" in 1995 and "Laverne & Shirley: Together Again" in 2005.
Williams starred as Lisa Burke on the short-lived 1989 Disney Channel sitcom Just Like Family. Her then real-life husband Bill Hudson co-starred as her husband, Tom Burke. The series was based on the 1986 Disney TV movie Help Wanted: Kids. It was about a couple who have to hire a couple of children to impress the man’s boss. It also starred Gabriel Damon and Grace Johnston.
She starred as Anne Harlow on the short-lived 1990 CBS sitcom Normal Life. The series was based on the real unconventional home life of the Zappa children. Anne Harlow works for the school board and is married to Max Harlow (Max Gail), a succsseful freelance writer. It also starred Dweezil Zappa, Moon Unit Zappa, Josh Williams, Bess Meyer and Jim Staahl.
Williams reunited with former Laverne & Shirley producers Thomas L. Miller and Robert L. Boyett to star in their 1993-1994 ABC family sitcom Getting By. The show was about two best friends and single mothers, one white and one black, who decide to split the mortgage on a new home in suburban Oak Park, Illinois and live there with their respective families. It also starred Telma Hopkins, Nicki Vannice, Ashleigh Blair Sterling, Merlin Santana and Deon Richmond.
She played herself in six episodes of the 2001-2001 Comedy Central sitcom Strip Mall. She had a recurring role as Ronnie in four episodes of For Your Love from 2000 to 2002. She guest starred as Mary Ellen Doyle in two episodes of 8 Simple Rules in 2002. She played Lisa James in two episodes of Girlfriends in 2004 and 2005. Some of her other sitcom guest appearances included Hope & Gloria, Son of the Beach, The Brothers Garcia, Less Than Perfect, Are We There Yet? and The Odd Couple (2016). She reunited with Penny Marshall in a 2013 episode of Sam & Cat.
Some of her other televison guest appearances included Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Touched by an Angel, 7th Heaven, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Drive (3 episodes).
Williams starred as Laurie Henderson, Steve Bolander's (Ron Howard) high school sweetheart in George Lucas' American Graffiti (1973) for which she earned a BAFTA nomination as Best Supporting Actress. She starred as Ann in Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation (1974). Some of her other film credits included Travels with My Aunt (1972), The Killing Kind (1973), The First Nudie Musical (1976), More American Graffiti (1979), The Creature Wasn't Nice (1983), UFOria (1985), Big Man on Campus (1989), Rude Awakening (1989), Bingo (1991) and Meet Wally Sparks (1997).
Williams performed onstage in the national tours of Grease, Deathtrap, and Moon Over Buffalo, and a regional production of Nunsense. She reunited with her Laverne & Shirley co-star Eddie Mekka in a November 2008 regional production of the Renée Taylor-Joseph Bologna comedy play It Had to Be You. She made her Broadway debut as daffy Mrs. Tottendale in The Drowsy Chaperone at the Marquis Theatre on December 11, 2007, succeeding Jo Anne Worley in the role originated by Georgia Engel.
In 2015, her memoir Shirley, I Jest! (co-written with Dave Smitherman) was published.
Treat Williams (IMDB/Wikipedia)
Actor Treat Williams starred as Dr. Andy Brown on Everwood. He was involved in a motorcycle crash on June 13, 2023, on Vermont Route 30, near Dorset. He was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in New York, where he was pronounced dead. Mr. Williams was 71.
Williams starred as Jack Harold on the 1993-1994 CBS sitcom Good Advice. Divorce attorney Jack Harold is the love interest of Dr. Susan DeRuzza (Shelley Long), a successful marriage therapist and the author of a best-selling book on the subject, Giving and Forgiving. The series aired for 2 seasons and 17 episodes (plus 2 unaired episodes). The cast included George Wyner, Estelle Harris (season 1), Ross Malinger, Lightfield Lewis, Teri Garr (season 2) and Henriette Mantel (season 2).
He starred as Dr. Andrew "Andy" Brown on The WB 2002-2006 drama Everwood. The series is about a widowed neurosurgeon moving from New York City to the fictional small town of Everwood, Colorado with his two children. Williams was twice nominated in 2003 and 2004 for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor.
Williams starred as Eddie Dodd on the short-lived 1991 ABC drama Eddie Dodd. He starred as Dr. Nathaniel "Nate" Grant on the short-lived 2007 TNT medical drama Heartland. He played Don Kowalski on the 2011 Lifetime police drama Against the Wall. In 2015, he starred as Colonel Stephen Glen on the NBC action thriller American Odyssey. He starred as Mick O'Brien on the 2016-2022 Hallmark Channel drama Chesapeake Shores.
He appeared as David Morton in six episodes of Brothers & Sisters in 2006. He had recurring roles as Samuel Phelps/James Bennett in six episodes of White Collar from 2012 to 2013. He played Benjamin "Benny" Severide in 16 episodes of Chicago Fire from 2013 to 2018. He appeared as Lenny Ross, the former police partner of Frank Reagan (Tom Selleck), in six episodes of Blue Bloods from 2016 to 2023.
Williams voiced himself and film character William Sullivan in a 2012 episode of The Simpsons. Some of his other television guest appearances included Tales from the Crypt, Road to Avonlea, Going to California, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Leverage, Hawaii Five-0 (2 episodes in 2013) and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his role as Michael Ovitz in the 1996 HBO movie The Late Shift.
He received Golden Globe nominations for his roles as George Berger in Hair (1979) and as Daniel Ciello in Prince of the City (1981). Some of his other film credits included 1941 (1979), The Pursuit of D. B. Cooper (1981), Once Upon a Time in America (1984), Flashpoint (1984), Smooth Talk (1985), Dead Heat (1988), The Phantom (1996), The Devil's Own (1997), Deep Rising (1998), The Substitute franchise (1998–2001), The Deep End of the Ocean (1999), Miss Congeniality 2 (2005) and 127 Hours (2010).
Japanese-born American actor and businessman Yoshio Yoda starred as Fuji Kobiaji on McHale's Navy. He died in Fullerton, California, on January 13, 2023. Mr. Yoda was 88.
Yoda starred as Fuji Kobiaji on the 1962-1966 ABC sitcom McHale's Navy. Seaman 3rd Class Fujiwara "Fuji" Takeo Kobiaji is the lovable, boyish, Japanese prisoner of war and deserter from the Imperial Japanese Navy whom the PT-73 crew takes on as a de facto comrade and keeps hidden from Capt. Wallace (Wally) B. Binghamton (Joe Flynn) and almost everyone outside of McHale's gang.
The cast included Ernest Borgnine, Joe Flynn, Tim Conway, Bob Hastings, Carl Ballantine, Gary Vinson, Billy Sands, Edson Stroll, Jane Dulo (1962-1964), Gavin MacLeod (1962-1964), John Wright (1964-1966), Henry Beckman (1965-1966), Simon Scott (1965-1966), Dick Wilson (1965-1966), Jay Novello (1965-1966) and Peggy Mondo (1965-1966).
He starred as Sgt. Roy Tada in the 1962 film The Horizontal Liutenant. He played Fuji Kobiaji in the 1964 film McHale's Navy. He starred as Takeo "Fuji" Fugiwara in the 1965 film McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force.
His final acting credit was as Mr. Tenaka in the 1969 segment of Love, American Style titled "Love and the Letter." He was an associate producer for the 1970 film The Walking Major, which was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1971.
He was the assistant vice president of inventory and senior division manager for Toyota in Hawaii. From 2012 until his death, he lived in Fullerton, California.
Actor Burt Young starred as Nick Chase on Roomies. He died from cardiac arrest in Los Angeles, California on October 8, 2023. Mr. Young was 83.
In a nod to his having served in the U.S. Marine Corps, he played retired drill instructor Nick Chase on the short-lived 1987 NBC sitcom Roomies, where his character decides to go to college after his retirement. The series also starred Corey Haim, Jane Daly, Joshua Nelson and Sean Gregory Sullivan.
Some of his sitcom guest appearances included M*A*S*H, Bless This House, I'm with Her, The Neighborhood and Kevin Can Wait.
He played Rocky Balboa's brother-in-law and best friend Paulie Pennino in the Rocky film series, his performance in the first installment of which earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Some of his other film credits included Chinatown (1974), Uncle Joe Shannon (1978) and Back to School (1986).
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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