A professional model from the age of five, J. Madison Wright pursued a career in acting. At 9, she made appearances on the sitcom Grace Under Fire and The Nanny playing snotty beauty pageant contestants. Soon after, she landed a regular role on the NBC science-fiction series Earth 2, followed by a guest role on …
Korla Pandit was a pioneer in the musical genre known as “exotica.” He played the Hammond organ and grand piano, giving a new, otherworldly life to standard tunes like “Over the Rainbow,” adding rapid runs, unusual breaks, and piano intermezzo. Beginning in 1949, Korla Pandit’s Adventures In Music was featured on Los Angeles’ KTLA. Korla …
Dallas McKennon was one of the most prolific actors you never heard of. He was featured in a slew of uncredited roles going back to the 1940s. Dallas was a recurring character in the TV action series Daniel Boone starring Fess Parker. He was featured in a number of Westerns, including Death Valley Days, Wagon …
Leah Chase, the second of thirteen children, helped her family survive the Great Depression by cooking the okra, peas and greens that was grown in the family’s Madisonville, Louisiana garden. Leah and her siblings wore clothes made from rice and flour sacks, while he father worked his meager job at the Jahncke Shipyard. Wishing the …
Tim Conway was a funny guy. Unfortunately, Hollywood had a difficult time placing him in just the right vehicle to showcase his talent for comedy. Sure, he had a successful run playing second fiddle to Academy Award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine on McHale’s Navy, but Tim’s own variety show was cancelled after the standard 13 weeks, …
How could you not love Katherine Helmond? Every character she portrayed was a delight, even if they were quirky and odd. But that’s what Katherine brought to her characters. And that’s what made them endearing. And that is the mark of an accomplished actor. She was a staple on television, with roles on the sitcoms …
I loved Batman, the campy cool TV series whose episodes were broadcast twice weekly on ABC for two of its three-season run from 1966 until 1968. Batman, starring Adam West, in his best ultra-suave put-on, featured a “who’s who” of Hollywood notables in guest villain roles throughout the entire 120-episode run. Since the show appealed …
Marty Sklar continued Walt Disney’s dream of making magic a reality. He was instrumental in the development and design of Disney theme parks and attractions until his passing in July 2017 at the age of 83.
It was while attending the University of Iowa that Don DeFore decided to become an actor. Originally a law major, he enjoyed performing in plays, but was disappointed when he discovered that “drama” was not recognized as a major at the university. He dropped out and enrolled in the famed Pasadena Community Playhouse. Don was a …
Doreen Tracey grew up singing and dancing, thanks to her father’s dance studio. At 12, young Doreen auditioned for The Mickey Mouse Club along with hundreds of other talented children (including singer Paul Williams and actress Candace Bergen, who didn’t make the cut). She was picked and stayed with the show for all three seasons. Doreen …
