Mountain View
Herbie J Pilato
In Memory of Actress Angela Lansbury: 2 Years After Her Tragic Death
It's been two years since the demise of legendary actress Dame Angela Lansbury, best known as the beloved mystery writer/sleuth Jessica Fletcher on TV's long-running hit series Murder, She Wrote (CBS, 1983-1995). She was 96 years old, and this is her story.
'Christmas Story's' Darren McGavin Was Bionic TV Boss Before Richard Anderson on '$6 Million Man'
Many TV shows over the decades have had the same or similar characters played by two different actors. Arguably the best-remembered example of this is when Dick York was played by Dick Sargent as Darrin on Bewitched (ABC, 1964-62).
In Memory of Pioneer Actress Amanda 'Miss Kitty' Blake ('Gunsmoke'): 35 Years After Her Tragic Death
It's been 35 years since iconic actress Amanda Blake died of AIDS-related hepatitis on August 16, 1989. Best known as Miss Kitty Russell on TV's long-running Western Gunsmoke (CBS, 1955-1975), Blake was a trailblazer on and off-screen. This is her tragic yet triumphant story.
The Traumatic Life and Shocking Death of 'Kung Fu' Actor David Carradine: 15 Years Later
In the history of Hollywood, actor David Carradine, who died in 2009 from accidental asphyxiation, had always been a controversial figure. As the star of TV's mystic Eastern/Western Kung Fu (ABC, 1972-1975), Carradine, then in his mid-30s, was a bohemian type who didn't think twice about showing up barefoot on TV talk shows.
In Memory of Brandon Lee: 3 Decades After His Tragic Death on the Movie Set of the Original 'Crow'
[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the quotes and commentary in this article are from interviews conducted by the author with those mentioned.]. It's been over three decades since actor/martial artist Brandon Lee’s rise to stardom was cut short with a horrific consequence. This is his tragic story.
The Once-Secret Gay Life of 'Baywatch' Actor Jaason Simmons: 35 Years After The Beach Drama's Debut
It's been 35 years since the original Baywatch TV series premiered on NBC in the 1989-1990 season. One year later, it was syndicated and became one of the most popular TV shows on the planet. The show's original cast included David Hasselhoff, who stayed with the series through its entire run. During that time, he was joined by other actors, including (but not limited to) Pamela Anderson, Alexandra Paul, and Jason Simmon. At the time, Simmons, who is gay, was in the closet.
In Memory of Former Child Star Dustin Diamond ('Saved by the Bell'): 3 Years After His Tragic Death
It's been three years since the shocking death of former child star Dustin Diamond. Best known as Samuel “Screech” Powers on the popular 1990s Saturday morning TV high school comedy Saved by the Bell, Diamond died on February 1, 2021, from Stage 4 small cell carcinoma at only 44 years old. This is his tragic story.
In Memory of Actor Luke Perry ('Beverly Hills 90210'): 5 Years After His Tragic Death From a Stroke
It's been five years since the shocking death of charistmatic actor Luke Perry, best known for his leading performance as Dylan McKay on TV's teen pop-culture phenonemom Beverly Hills, 90210 (Fox, 1990-2000). Perry was only 52 years old, when he died of massive stroke on March 4, 2019. This is his tragic story.
New Documentary Looks at the Life of 'Superman' Star Christopher Reeve Who Was Paralyzed in 1995
In May 1995, Superman actor Christopher Reeve, who died in 2004, became paralyzed from the neck down after a critical cervical spinal injury in a horse-riding accident. And now a new documentary is released twenty years after his tragic death.
Hugh Grant and the Controversial Incident of 1995: A Look Back in Awkard Infamy
Nearly three decades ago, actor Hugh Grant messed up, big time. Shortly after filming the movie Nine Months in 1995, the charismatic actor was arrested in Los Angeles for less-than-worthy interaction with a prostitute named Divine Brown. “There were very talented people who made that film and really brilliant actors," he said.
In 1995, Michael Jackson Collapsed From an Irregular Heartbeat on Stage: A Look Back at Tragedy
He was the self-crowned King of Pop and one of the most successful entertainers in history. He was Michael Jackson, who died in 2009 from cardiac arrest induced by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication. However, decades before, in 1995, Jackson collapsed on stage at the Beacon Theater in New York during a rehearsal and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
'Hawaii Five-0'' Actor James MacArthur Was Adopted by Helen Hayes: A Look Back at His Tragic Death
It's been 14 years since actor James MacArthur died of natural causes at only 72 years old. Best known as Danny “Danno” Williams on the original TV adaptation of Hawaii Five-0 (the famed crime-adventure series, CBS, 1968-1980), MacArthur was the adopted son of acting legend Helen Hayes. This is his story.
The Secret Gay Life & Horrific Car Accident of Actor Van Johnson: 16 Years After His Tragic Death
Actor Van Johnson, who died in 2007, was one of Hollywood's ideal films idols. In the 1940s, the charming screen icon was box office gold, and remained a popular presence on TV in shows like Murder, She Wrote (which starred his good friend Angela Lansbury).
'Gunsmoke' Actor James Arness and His Touching Last Words To Fans: 13 Years After His Tragic Death
He was born James King Aurness on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and died as actor James Arness on June 3, 2011, in Los Angeles, CA. Best known as the iconic Marshall Matt Dillion who ruled over Dodge City on TV's long-running and beloved Western, Gunsmoke (CBS, 1955-1975), Arness was 88 years old.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas - 'Little Rascals'/'Our Gang' Child Star: 44 Years After His Tragic Death
It's been more than four decades since former child star William “Billie” Thomas Jr. died in Los Angeles of a heart attack at only 49 on October 10, 1980. Best known as "Buckwheat," the character he portrayed in the original Hal Roach-ignited Our Gang/Little Rascals classic film shorts from 1934 to 1944, Thomas faced similar challenges and misfortunes of several of his co-stars and other former child actors. This is his story.
Beyond 'Baywatch': David Charvet Has Found a "Different Meaning" in Life
As a star of TV's syndicated 1990s beachfront adventure drama, Baywatch, he became one of the most famous faces on the planet. That's partly because the series, which also starred David Haselhoff and Pamela Anderson (among others), was at the time the most popular show on the planet. His name is David Charvet, a French-born, charismatic actor and musician who left Hollywood behind. But where is he today?
In 1970-71, Actress Alice Ghostley Was Pulling TV Double Duty on 'Bewitched' and 'Mayberry R.F.D'
Actress/comedian Alice Ghostley, who died in 2007 (from colon cancer and after a series of strokes), found fame with several movie and television appearances. Those include sitcom roles on Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972), Mayberry R.F.D. (CBS, 1968-1971), and Designing Woman (CBS, 1986-1993). In the first two shows, she replaced actresses who either died or decided to leave the given series. Additionally, both programs were filmed at the same time, and on two different networks. So, the pressure was on for Ghostley to deliver the goods. Here's the story.
In Memory of Actress Charlotte Rae (From TV's 'The Facts of Life'): Six Years After Her Tragic Death
It's been six years since actress/comedian Charlotte Rae died at 92 in Los Angeles. A beloved presence on the stage and screen, Rae was best known as the guiding force and dear housemother on TV's groundbreaking sitcom, The Facts of Life(NBC, 1979 to 1988). This is her story.
Dennis Weaver Hit the TV Trifecta with Three Top Shows, But Knew Leaving 'Gunsmoke' Was "Risky"
Dennis Weaver, who died of cancer in 2006, was a talented actor who left his indelible mark in three hit TV shows: Gunsmoke (CBS, 1955-1964; 1974), Gentle Ben (NBC, 1967-1969), and McCloud (NBC, 1970-1977). Before and after those iconic programs, Weaver had some hits and misses and some self-doubts about leaving the security of the long-running Gunsmoke series after almost a decade. The actor delivered countless performances before, during, and after that show. Some included small screen appearances in a compelling episode of The Twilight Zone, and the groundbreaking TV-movie Duel (Steven Spielberg's first full-length film). This is his story.
In Memory of Actor/Comedian Dick Gautier (TV's 'Get Smart'): 7 Years After His Tragic Death
It's been over three decades since actor Dick Gautier died at 85 from an undisclosed illness. Best known for his comedic role as Hymie the Robot on the classic TV spy-com, Get Smart (NBC, 1965-1970), Gautier initially gained fame portraying an Elvis-esque vocalist in the Broadway musical, Bye Bye Birdie. In the last few years of his life, the multi-talented, versatile performer and artist, was confined to a wheelchair. This is his story.
Herbie J Pilato
2K+
Posts
136M+
Views
Herbie J Pilato is the author of several books about pop culture including the newly-published CONNERY, SEAN CONNERY biography, the revised BIONIC BOOK, RETRO ACTIVE TELEVISION, THE 12 BEST SECRETS OF CHRISTMAS, MARY: THE MARY TYLER MOORE STORY, TWITCH UPON A STAR, and more. He's also a TV writer/producer, and has worked for Reelz, Bravo, E!, TLC, and hosted THEN AGAIN WITH HERBIE J PILATO, the hit classic TV talk show (which premiered on Amazon Prime in 2019).
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.