Harold Rowe Holbrook Jr.
(February 17, 1925 – January 23, 2021)
(Fox News) – Hal Holbrook, the Emmy and Tony award-
winning actor best known for his portrayal of Mark
Twain in his famous one-man-show, died on Jan. 23 at
his home in Beverly Hills, Calif. No cause of death has
been given.
Hal Holbrook as Mark Twain in his one-man show in 2005.
(Fox News) – Kris Kristofferson’s official departure from music was
subtly mentioned in a release shared with Fox News on Thursday,
which reads: “The legendary country singer/songwriter and actor
quietly retired in 2020, leaving his son John Kristofferson to lead
the family’s businesses.” The musician will turn 85 June 22.
David Lander, known best for his role as Squiggy on “Laverne & Shirley,“ died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los
Angeles from complications from multiple sclerosis. His wife,
Kathy, daughter Natalie, and son-in-law were by his side.
Television and movie actor William Talman, best known for playing
Los Angeles District Attorney Hamilton Burger in the CBS television
series Perry Mason (Sept. 21, 1957 – May 22, 1966).
Talman is also known for being the first actor in Hollywood to film an
antismoking public service announcement for the American Cancer
Society. A lifelong heavy smoker, he was diagnosed with lung cancer,
and knew he was dying when he filmed the commercial.
The short film began with the words: “Before I die, I want to do what I can
to leave a world free of cancer for my six children. Talman requested that
the commercial not be aired until after his death.
William Talman as seen in a 1957 episode of Perry Mason.
The July 24, 1965, issue of TV Guide with a painting of Perry Mason
on the front (above). “Raymond Burr: Alone on a Treadmill,” the
cover line declared. In the feature story, “Pleading His Own Case”
by Dwight Whitney, we learned that Burr took several trips to
Vietnam to entertain the troops as part of the USO. It goes on to
say that during his third trip, the TV star suffered a severe
shoulder injury when the helicopter transporting him came under
fire. (MeTV)
Raymond Burr as Perry Mason with a cast on his right arm in “The
Case of the Loquacious Liar.”
Lance Cpl. Larry Borschel (right) met actor Raymond Burr when
Burr visited Vietnam in May 1965. More pics from the tour shown
below.
Original CBS-TV series: September 21, 1957 – May 22, 1966.
