Mountain View
Herbie J Pilato
'Bewitched' Actress Irene Vernon (The First 'Louise Tate') Was Fired From The Magical Sitcom
[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, all quotes and commentary in this article are from an interview conducted by the author with those mentioned.]. The beloved magical sitcom, Bewitched, originally aired on ABC from 1964 to 1972. The show starred Elizabeth Montgomery as twitch-witch Samantha Stephens, married to mortal advertising man Darrin Stephens, played first by Dick York and then Dick Sargent. The series featured a stellar supporting cast including Agnes Moorhead as Endora, Samantha’s feisty mother, and David White as Larry Tate, Darrin’s self-absorbed boss.
In Memory of 'Gidget' Star Deborah Walley: Two Decades After Her Tragic Death From Esophageal Cancer
It's been 23 years since the tragic death of Deborah Walley, the follow-up star to actress Sandra Dee in the Gidget feature film franchise. She also later found fame on TV's The Mothers-in-Law (NBC, 1967-1969). She died in 2001 from esophageal cancer, and this is her story.
Hollywood Icon Bridget Bardot Turns 90
Bridget Bardot is considered one of the most legendary personas in entertainment history. Today, she is 90 years old. This is her story. Brigitte Bardot was born on September 28, 1934, in Paris, France, to a father with an engineering degree, and a mother who encouraged her to take music and dance lessons.
In Memory of 'Poltergeist' Teen Actress Dominique Dunne: Decades After Her Horrific Murder
It’s been 42 years since Poltergeist star Dominique Ellen Dunne was brutally murdered by her former boyfriend John Thomas Sweeney. In the end, Sweeney later served time for the horrific crime. Here’s the story.
In Memory of Sal Mineo: 48 Years After He Was Murdered
It's been 48 years since acclaimed actor Sal Mineo was stabbed to death in Hollywood, CA, on February 12, 1976, at only 37. This is his story. Born on January 10, 1939, in New York, New York, Sal Mineo established a career as a teen actor and heartthrob, earning a supporting actor Oscar nomination for his performance in Rebel Without a Cause, opposite James Dean. Other prominent projects included Giant, and Exodus—for which Mineo received a second Oscar nod and a Golden Globe award.
Actress Marla Gibbs (From TV's 'The Jeffersons' and '227') Turns 93
Dynamic actress Marla Gibbs, best known as the witty housekeeper Florence Johnston on The Jeffersons(CBS, 1975–1985) and the more neighborly Mary Jenkins in 227 (NBC, 1985–1990), is now 93 years young. This is her story.
Suicide and 'The Iron Giant': A Look Back at the Animated Classic Movie 25 Years Later
It’s been 25 years since The Iron Giantanimated classic film premiered in theatres on August 6, 1999, with a stellar voiceover cast including Eli Marienthal, Vin Diesel, Jennifer Aniston, and Harry Connick Jr.
Actor Brendan Fraser Almost Died While Making 'The Mummy': A Look Back at the Movie 25 Years Later
Actor Brendan Fraseralmost died while making The Mummy in 1999. Here’s what happened, and a few other behind-the-scenes developments about the legendary horror/adventure/monster flick.
Classic TV Icon Melissa Sue Anderson ('Little House on the Prairie') Turns 62: A Look Back
Classic TV icon Melissa Sue Anderson, best known as Mary Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie (NBC, 1974–1981) is now 62 years old. This is her story. Melissa Sue Anderson was born on September 26, 1962, in Berkeley, CA. She began acting at a young age, first in TV commercials.
In Memory of Actor Jack Cassidy: 48 Years After His Tragic Death By Fire
In the early morning of December 12, 1976, charismatic actor Jack Cassidy returned to his luxury penthouse in West Hollywood following a festive evening. He made himself a drink, lit a cigarette, sat on his sofa, and fell asleep.
In Memory of Child Star and Peace Activist Samantha Smith: Four Decades After Her Tragic Death
It's been 39 years since the tragic death of child star Samantha Smith, best known for her role on the short-lived, but acclaimed Robert Wagner TV series Lime Street(ABC, 1985-1986). Born on June 29, 1972, in Houlton, Maine, Smith died at only 12 years old on August 25, 1985. Before Lime Street, she was best known for a legendary letter she wrote to Soviet Premier Yuri Andropov. Her middle name was “Reed,” her nickname was “Sam,” and this is her story.
In Memory of Actress Barbara Colby (From TV's 'Phyllis' Sitcom): 49 Years After She Was Murdered
It's been nearly fifty years since actress Barbara Colby and her friend and fellow James Kiernan were murdered on July 24, 1975. Colby was best known for her portrayal of Julie Erskine in the first three episodes of the 1970s CBS Phyllis TV sitcom; a spin-off of The Mary Tyler Moore Show (on which Colby had also appeared). This is her tragic story.
The Magical Message of 'Bewitched': 60 Years After Its TV Debut
Bewitched, starring Elizabeth Montgomery as "twitch-witch" Samantha Stephens, originally ran on ABC from 1964 to 1972. That makes 2024 the magical sitcom's 60th Anniversary, and a celebration of all the show's stars, including Dick York and Dick Sargent (who shared the role of Darrin, Samantha's mortal husband), Agnes Moorehead (who played Samantha's feisty supernatural mother, Endora), David White (who played Darrin's self-absorbed boss Larry Tate), and more.
Classic TV Icon Kent McCord ('Adam-12'/'Ozzie & Harriet') is 82: A Look Back at His Life and Career
Actor Kent McCord, best known for his role as Officer Jim Reed on classic TV’s Adam-12 (NBC, 1968–1975) is now 82 years old. This is his story. Kent McCord was born Kent Franklin McWhirter on September 26, 1942, in Los Angeles, the son of Bert and Laura McWhirter.
Recalling 'Jeffersons' Star Zara Frances Cully ('Mother Jefferson'): 46 Years After Her Tragic Death
It’s been over four decades since the tragic death of actress Zara Cully, best known as Olivia ‘Mother Jefferson’ on TV’s long-running, groundbreaking sitcom, The Jeffersons (CBS, 1975–1985). Cully, who died of lung cancer on February 28, 1978, was 82 years old. This is her story.
Happy 55th Anniversary to 'The Brady Bunch': A Review of the Iconic Family TV Show's History
The Brady Bunchis a pop-cultural phenomenon. Its characters and the actors who portrayed them have been considered family members to countless viewers for five decades. In this way, it will be remembered as more than just a TV show, but rather an intricate part of people’s lives, and our psyche. It’s always fun to watch. The characters are colorful. The sets are colorful. The colors are bright. It’s almost like watching live-action animation. And yet, in the midst of it all, the show is filled with teaching moments, giving everyone who watches it their reasons for liking the show. Whether it’s a certain episode or a certain character that proves identifiable, the show delivers a mainstream quality appeal that doesn’t offend. The Brady Bunch is “comfort TV” to the highest degree.
'The Blair Witch Project': A Look Back 25 Years After the Scary Movie's Premiere
It's been 25 years since the film release of The Blair Witch Project, which premiered on July 30, 1999. According to IMDb.com, this movie mattered due to the controversial “found footage” utilized in this movie, which was co-written and co-directed by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez.
'TattleTales' TV Game Show Memories of Bert Convy & His '70s/'80s Straight & Gay Celebrity Guests
Tattletaleswas Goodson-Todman Productions in association with Fremantle. The show aired in the afternoon on CBS, in two different increments, between February 1974 and June 1984. Hosted by Bert Convy, Tattletales was akin to a celebrity-married-couples version of The Newlywed Game. Questions were asked and the couples tried to match each other's answers.
In Memory of Roxie Roker ('Jeffersons'/Mother of Lenny Kravitz): 3 Decades After Her Tragic Death
It’s been nearly thirty years since the tragic death of actress Roxie Roker, best known as Helen Willis on TV’s long-running, groundbreaking hit sitcom, The Jeffersons (CBS, 1975–1985). Also known as the mother of music sensation Lenny Kravitz, Roker died of breast cancer on December 2, 1995. This is her story.
A Look Back at 'Cruel Intentions': 25 Years After Its Release
It's been over 25 years since the movie, Cruel Intentions, was released on March 5, 1999. According to IMDb.com, Cruel Intentions, the now classic film matters for several reasons, notably its stellar, charismatic cast. Those include Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon, Selma Blair, and Joshua Jackson. What began as an independent film "about affluent sociopaths manipulating innocent virgins became a modest box office sensation, making $75.9 million worldwide during its initial spring release."
Herbie J Pilato
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Herbie J Pilato is a writer, producer, actor, and author. His books include ONE TOUGH DAME: THE LIFE AND CAREER OF DIANA RIGG, CHRISTMAS TV MEMORIES, RETRO ACTIVE TELEVISION, TWITCH UPON A STAR, THE ESSENTIAL ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY, THE 12 BEST SECRETS OF CHRISTMAS, CONNERY, SEAN CONNERY, GLAMOUR, GIDGETS AND THE GIRL NEXT DOOR, DASHING, DARING AND DEBONAIR, and more.
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