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.
CAMILLE BOHANNON
On this day in 1961, President John F. Kennedy increased military aid to South Vietnam without committing U.S.
combat troops.
Louis Jude Ferrigno Sr.
Famous bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno is known for playing The
Incredible Hulk on the TV series. His other notable films
include Sinbad of the Seven Seas and Hercules (below).
While in high school, he studied metal working. He became
a bodybuilder champion before pursuing a career in acting.
Due to ear infections suffered soon after birth, Ferrigno lost
75 to 80% of his hearing and has been using hearing aids
since the age of five.
1989
1983
Original CBS-TV release, November 4, 2977 – May 12, 1982
