July 13, 1928 – June 29, 1978
Robert Crane was a disc jockey from Connecticut who forayed his love of music and radio to Los Angeles…and, eventually, to an acting career. He dabbled with guest spots on popular shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Donna Reed Show before he was catapulted to fame as the titular colonel on CBS’s Hogan’s Heroes. As Robert Hogan, Crane earned a couple of Emmy nominations and enjoyed the show’s very successful six-year run. Sometimes, happiness is short-lived.
August 30, 1908 – November 5, 1991
Frederick Martin MacMurray’s nearly 50-year career was about as successful and varied as any you will find. Throughout the 1930’s and ’40’s, MacMurray brought his talents from the stage to some of the most popular films of the era. He worked with everyone from Humphrey Bogart to Katharine Hepburn. His films with iconic director, Billy Wilder, (including the ultimate film noir Double Indemnity and the quintessential comedy The Apartment) became Hollywood classics. MacMurray later worked on a number of Disney live-action films like The Shaggy Dog and The Absent-Minded Professor while also landing what is possibly his most recognizable role (to folks under the age of 50 anyway): Steven Douglas, the father on the long-running TV sitcom My Three Sons.
February 25, 1913 – July 3, 1989
As Thurston Howell III on the classic CBS sitcom Gilligan’s Island, Jim Backus played to a personal strength: his ability to portray lovable upper-class snobs. Gilligan’s “millionaire” was just the most famous of his well-to-do characters, but he made a good living portraying them on radio and in television for decades. Of course, he was notable for playing another famous character, as well. He was the voice of the near-sighted cartoon character, Mr. Magoo on television and film. Continue reading
November 14, 1927 – February 15, 1996
Edgar McLean Stevenson trodded the boards for years in Summer Stock theatre and fledgling TV programs. He eventually established himself as a comedy writer and occasional performer before landing a guest spot on Marlo Thomas’ That Girl. This led to a starring role in The Doris Day Show, which led to the role for which he will always be remembered: Col. Henry Blake on the seminal sitcom M*A*S*H. For three seasons, Stevenson earned laughs as Col. Blake but began to resent the character’s role as a “lowly” ensemble member. He wanted to be the star, so he walked away. Continue reading
December 14, 1908 – October 27, 1996
Nicknamed “The Human Joke Machine,” Morey Amsterdam was considered by many to be a…human joke machine. His ability to make a spontaneous joke about anything in rapid-fire succession led to many appearances on early TV variety shows and series. But, his biggest success was playing the role of comedy writer Buddy Sorrell on The Dick Van Dyke Show. The role suited Amsterdam perfectly and allowed him to spitfire his natural flowing comedy within the perfect context of writing for the show’s fictitious The Alan Brady Show. Continue reading
May 3, 1906 – September 25, 1987
Making the transition to the “talkies” was every Silent Era star’s nightmare. For some, the change was easy and sound only helped make their career greater.
Meet Mary Astor; the young, auburn-haired girl of German descent whose family moved to New York so she could be discovered. A ploy that worked, as it turns out. Astor (born Lucile Vasconcellos Langhanke) landed small roles in silent films and a contract with Paramount pictures. Though successful, her early life as an actor was not a happy one. In fact, Mary’s life was rife with scandal. Her parents lived lavishly off the money she made and kept her locked away from the world in their Hollywood mansion. She endured tragic marriages and messy divorces. Lawsuits, affairs, secret diaries, you name it. If TMZ existed in the 1930’s, they would have loved her.
October 18, 1927 – September 22, 1999
George Campbell Scott won a lot of awards over the course of his prolific career. He didn’t necessarily accept all of them, but he won them nonetheless.
A gifted actor on both stage and screen, Scott is best remembered for his iconic roles in both Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb and, of course, Patton (with Westwood neighbor Karl Malden). For the latter, he was nominated – for the third time – for an Academy Award. He refused the nomination famously saying “The whole thing is a goddamn meat parade. I don’t want any part of it.” Naturally, he won anyway. His stage accomplishments were just as decorated. He was nominated for the Tony Award three times for his performances in Uncle Vanya, Inherit the Wind and Death of a Salesman. Continue reading
June 4, 1907 – November 28, 1976
Multiple Golden Globe and Tony Award winner, Rosalind Russell, was a versatile character actress who made a career out of playing both comedic and dramatic roles. Russell was known for her portrayal of professional-types and was rarely cast as a sex symbol. Her career highlights included films such as His Girl Friday, Mourning Becomes Electra and The Trouble With Angels and stage hits like Auntie Mame and Wonderful Town. In addition to the aforementioned awards, she was also nominated for an Academy Award twice. Continue reading
November 20, 1932 – June 2, 2012
Richard Dawson (born Colin Emm in England) was a television personality best known for his role in Hogan’s Heroes opposite Bob Crane, and as the host of the game show Family Feud from 1976 to 1985. Dawson appeared on a number of other TV shows including guest spots on The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Odd Couple and made regular appearances on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In. He was a panelist on the 1970’s version of the Match Game, which led to his being brought on to host Family Feud. Continue reading
February 19, 1924 – August 29, 1987
PFC Lee Marvin earned a Purple Heart for being wounded in action on an island in the Pacific during World War II. That’s enough excitement in one lifetime for most people.
But, not for Lee. In his post-war years, Marvin sort of stumbled into a career as an actor and over the following 4 decades, slowly built himself into a top-billed star. Bit parts as tough guys and soldiers gave way to more substantive roles which, eventually, gave way to iconic turns in in films like The Dirty Dozen (with Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland and Charles Bronson) and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (opposite John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart). Continue reading
Celebrity Graveland 