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1-37 of 37
- Actor
- Director
- Soundtrack
Frank Bonner was born on 28 February 1942 in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. He was an actor and director, known for WKRP in Cincinnati (1978), Equinox (1970) and The New WKRP in Cincinnati (1991). He was married to Gayle Hardage, Catherine Sherwood, Lillian Garrett, Mary Alice Rings and Sharon Gray. He died on 16 June 2021 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Prolific (and ubiquitous) bit player Leoda Richards was born Leoda Carole Knapp, March 15, 1907 in Columbus, Ohio. The daughter of Carl and Celia Knapp, Richards trained as a dancer. Moreover, Leoda was in the original company of 3 Broadway musicals: "A Connecticut Yankee," "Strike Me Pink," and "Anything Goes." She took the name, 'Leoda Richards', after marrying Charles Richards in 1928. Leoda first began appearing in films in uncredited minor roles in the late 1940's. A quintessential 'little old lady type', Richards can be spotted in scores of films and TV shows as party guests, passengers on either airplanes or ocean liners, spectators at sporting events, or patrons in clubs, diners, casinos, or restaurants. On February 7, 1998, Leoda passed away in Laguna Niguel, California. She was survived by a daughter, Barbara.
- Actress
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Florida Friebus was born on 10 October 1909 in Auburndale, Massachusetts, USA. She was an actress and writer, known for The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959), The Bob Newhart Show (1972) and The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970). She was married to Richard Waring. She died on 27 May 1988 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Wynne Gibson was born on 3 July 1898 in New York City, New York, USA. She was an actress, known for Children of Pleasure (1930), The Crosby Case (1934) and Double Cross (1941). She was married to John Gallaudet. She died on 15 May 1987 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Additional Crew
Lee Garlington was born on 27 September 1937 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He is known for Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed (2023). He was married to Paul Garlington. He died on 6 December 2023 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
American cinematographer who spent the bulk of his career at Paramount (1923-1959). After two years apprenticed in the studio lab, Fapp first worked the movie camera as an assistant in 1925. By 1941, he had graduated to full director of photography at the behest of cinematographer, turned director, Ted Tetzlaff. Fapp joined the American Society of Cinematographers that same year. Though he was generally confined to shooting B-grade material, he was allowed to shine whenever bigger budgeted productions came his way. He did arguably his best work for the director Mitchell Leisen, who, as a former art director and costume designer, had a famously keen eye for visual style.
Fapp excelled shooting Leisen's sumptuous-looking period romance Kitty (1945) (a true example of style trumping content). He was equally effective on another Leisen film, lensing Olivia de Havilland (as she aged in the course of three decades) in the superior tearjerker To Each His Own (1946). Other efforts in contrasting style: the noirish crime flic The Big Clock (1948) in stark, austere black & white; the vivid Technicolor frontier adventure The Far Horizons (1955), its stunning scenery expertly captured in Vista Vision (directed by another former cinematographer, Rudolph Maté); the frantic Billy Wilder farce One, Two, Three (1961); and West Side Story (1961), which finally won Fapp an Oscar (and a Golden Laurel Award) for Best Color Cinematography. After leaving Paramount in 1959, Fapp free-lanced for another decade and retired in 1969.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Marilyn King was born on 11 May 1931 in Glendale, California, USA. She was an actress, known for The Hideous Sun Demon (1958), The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952) and M*A*S*H (1972). She was married to James Dalton Smith, Kent Larsen and Howard Maurice Lloyd. She died on 7 August 2013 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Marion Burns was born on 9 August 1907 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was an actress, known for The Devil Tiger (1934), The Dawn Rider (1935) and Sensation Hunters (1933). She was married to Kane Richmond and Bruce MacFarlane. She died on 22 December 1993 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Passed the Federal examination for professional radio operator at the age of 12, at the time the youngest ever to receive the license. She and her father received praise from the government for sending wireless distress signals during the 1926 Great Miami Hurricane, from Houston, Texas.
She competed the next year, as Miss Houston, in Galveston's "Second International Pageant of Pulchritude and Eighth Annual Bathing Girl Revue".
In 1929 she entered the Miss Universe contest as Miss Tulsa, Theda Delrey. Her eligibility was questioned when two other contestants filed affidavits that she was, in fact, Alberta McKellop who was Miss Houston in 1927 and, as such, was ineligible to compete. In 1930 she competed as Miss California in the "America's Sweetheart" contest, early forerunner of Miss America, in Miami, Florida and placed second in the competition. She was disqualified two months later because she had entered the contest while staying at her grandmother's home in Oklahoma and pageant determined she was not eligible to be Miss California.
She was originally under a short contract with MGM which was touting her for a brief period. However, when her contract was up they failed to renew and Walter Wanger stepped in and gave her a five year contract.
In 1952 she created a stir at the Miss Universe pageant in Los Angeles, when she interrupted a rehearsal and attended, uninvited, a luncheon for contestants. It appears that it was a publicity stunt of some sort and it received considerable press coverage.
Press releases of the time indicate she was of Native American ancestry, descendant of the Cherokee. However, her father is listed on the rolls as a member of the Creek (Muscogee) Nation.- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Harald Dyrenforth started his career as an actor in the late thirties in the Swiss theatre and radio, came to America in 1938, appeared in a number of Broadway plays and New York radio shows, served a hitch in the U.S. Army Ski Troops and another one as a foreign language broadcaster for the Office of War Information and "voice of America" of the U.S. State Department. In 1946 he made his movie debut in a featured part, that of Walter Damrosch in the film "Carnegie Hall." He appeared in over 40 pictures and 500 TV shows. He earned a Master's Degree in Theater Arts at U.C.L.A. and taught at Chapman College in Orange, CA while working as an actor and director. In 1961 he directed "the Madwoman of Chaillot" at Long Beach State College.- Phil Warren was born on 12 February 1915 in Scappoose, Oregon, USA. He was an actor, known for Dangers of the Canadian Mounted (1948), Badman's Territory (1946) and Superman and the Mole-Men (1951). He was married to Bette. He died on 4 October 1998 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.
- Spotted singing in a New York City nightclub by a Warner Brothers talent scout, Beverly Roberts' first role was in The Singing Kid (1936) with Al Jolson. A young Humphrey Bogart was her co-star in Two Against the World (1936). China Clipper (1936), a loose depiction of the founding of Pan American Airways, teamed her with Pat O'Brien. God's Country and the Woman (1937) was Warner Brothers first Technicolor production, filmed at Mt. St. Helens, Washington, it was her most prestigious film. Subsequently, she returned to singing and acting on the stage. In the late 1940s and early 1950s she appeared on numerous radio and TV shows.
In 1954 she was appointed administrator of the Theater Authority, whose members comprised the five entertainment unions. The organization exercised jurisdiction over the appearance of performers at charity events and telethons. She retired in 1977 to Laguna Niguel, California. In March 2002 Beverly was honored at the Del Mar Theater in Santa Cruz, California, when "China Clipper" was shown at its grand re-opening. She was also honored at the Cinecon Film Festival in Hollywood in August, 2002. - Music Department
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Jimmie Haskell was born on 7 November 1936 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. He was a composer, known for Big (1988), The Matrix (1999) and Airplane! (1980). He died on 4 February 2016 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Set Decorator
- Actor
Carl Biddiscombe was born on 22 June 1924 in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. He was a set decorator and actor, known for Stripes (1981), Star Trek (1966) and The Invaders (1967). He was married to Phylis Ruth Dedow. He died on 4 November 2000 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Writer
- Actor
- Additional Crew
E.M. Nathanson was born on 17 February 1928 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was a writer and actor, known for The Dirty Dozen (1967), Dirty Dozen and Mr. Tease and His Playthings (1959). He was married to Elizabeth Henderson and Mary Ann Pearce. He died on 5 April 2016 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Niles Welch was born on July 29, 1888, in Hartford, Connecticut. He attended Yale and Columbia Universities, where he excelled in athletics. Welch spent two years in France studying literature, languages, painting and drama. He started his career on stage in 1909 in a production at Columbia. After graduation, he began his film career at Vitagraph Studios in Brooklyn, under producer Jesse Lasky. Next, he worked for the Kalem Company, and then Metro, where he was leading man for such stars as Mary Miles Minter and Ethyl Barrymore. He also worked for Universal and Goldwyn. While in New York, he met, then married, Elaine Baker, a Broadway actress.
Later in life, Welch began a second career as a radio actor for the Columbia Broadcasting System. His mastery of French and German came in handy when World War II broke out. He was hired by the State Department to work for the Voice of America. In addition to daily short-wave broadcasts to Europe, he also had his own news show. In 1945, he suffered a tragic accident while working at the recording studio. He was carrying a collection of records and other items, and was starting through the heavy studio doors with a companion. An engineer called to him, and he stopped to reply. He then turned to leave, thinking the door was being held for him. But it wasn't, and he smashed his head against it. An examination disclosed that the retinas in both eyes had been detached. Surgery proved unsuccessful, although for a year he had partial sight in one eye. Then he became totally blind. Welch died in California in 1976, at the age of 88. - Producer
Lee Savin was born on 21 September 1917 in The Bronx, New York, USA. Lee was a producer, known for Harlow (1965), The Blue Bird (1976) and Black Girl (1972). Lee was married to Connie Hines, Carol Jean Christian, Harriette Smith and Lettie Norren Todd. Lee died on 20 January 1995 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Animation Department
- Production Designer
- Art Department
Louise Zingarelli was born on 22 March 1941 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Louise was a production designer, known for Titan A.E. (2000), The Lord of the Rings (1978) and Starchaser: The Legend of Orin (1985). Louise died on 25 September 2000 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Patrice Harrington was born on 26 December 1951 in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. She was married to Keith Harrington. She died on 19 August 1980 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.
- Marshall Houts was born on 28 June 1919. He was a writer, known for Eureka (1983) and Perry Mason (1957). He was married to Mary Olive Dealy. He died on 24 November 1993 in Laguna Niguel, Orange County, California, USA.
- Actress
Dorothy Gee was born on 9 December 1908 in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. She was an actress. She was married to Robert Livingston. She died on 16 February 2001 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Additional Crew
Jack Hirshberg was born on 17 July 1917. He is known for Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972), All the President's Men (1976) and Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971). He died on 7 March 2010 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Writer
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Donald Zimbalist was born on 17 February 1936. Donald was a writer and producer, known for Valley of the Dragons (1961), Tarzan, the Ape Man (1959) and Young Dillinger (1965). Donald died on 6 October 2004 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- William Dean Naulls (October 7, 1934 - November 22, 2018) was an American professional basketball player for 10 years in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a four-time NBA All-Star with the New York Knicks and won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. In December 1964, he was part of a Celtics unit that became the first all-black starting lineup in NBA history.
- Writer
- Additional Crew
William Wister Haines was born on 17 September 1908 in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. William Wister was a writer, known for Command Decision (1948), One Minute to Zero (1952) and Slim (1937). William Wister died on 18 November 1989 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Keith Harrington was born on 10 October 1955 in Santa Monica, California, USA. He was married to Patrice Harrington. He died on 19 August 1980 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.
- Daughter of a career military man, blond haired, green-eyed beauty, Devvy Davenport was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Being a "Air Force brat", she was variously educated in North Carolina, Kentucky, Arkansas, Texas, New Jersey and New York. As a child Devvy had a natural aptitude for writing poetry and prose; composing songs and singing; and dancing, dramatics and comedy. One night, at age 15, working as a "camera girl" in a Louisville, Kentucky nightclub, when the scheduled entertainer took ill, Devvy stepped up to the stage to fill in, just like in a show business fairy tale! Later, friends arranged an introduction with Horace Heidt, of "Horace Heidt and His Musical Knights" at the Trianon Ballroom in Southern California. After an audition with the band leader, Heidt gave Devvy her first major break. Audiences just loved her. Her energy and talent seemed boundless. In the beginning, Devvy made most of her own costumes. She stayed on with Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights for about four years. Till the end Devvy always had a kind word concerning Horace's influence and remained grateful for his loving guidance. During WWII with the USO Devvy performed for our troops in Panama, Jamaica, Guatamala and throughout the U.S. Devvy sang, danced and wrote material for herself and other acts. In subsequent personal appearances through the years, she performed with Robert Alda, Milton Berle, Johnny Cash, Mike Conners (I), Tony Curtis, The Duncan Sisters, The Jordanaires, Tony Martin, Olsen and Johnson, Buck Owens, Mel Tormé and many others. In March of 1946, she entertained at the Havana-Madrid Hotel in New York City and witnessed Show Business history when singer Dean Martin and comic Jerry Lewis, who were booked separately, "heckled" each other's performances prior to their eventual partnership! Devvy's successful singing and dancing talent brought her to audiences all over the world. Also in 1946 Devvy moved to Hollywood, California and was named "Miss Copa Cabana" with one of the judges being Frank Sinatra! Modeling and print work also came in regularly for such a beauty as Devvy . She eventually made the transition to her roots, Country and Western music. The progression was a natural. In Hollywood, after meeting the legendary Nudie, "The Rhinestone Cowboy Tailor to the Stars" Devvy became "outfitted" in what was to become her lifetime show business look. She remained close friends to Nudie, his family and especially his granddaughter, Jamie Lee Nudie. It was around this time that Devvy released several Country & Western singles, the most favorite to her many fans being her own composition, "Big Cowboy" on the Hi-G Lo-C label. Another memorable title was, "Git Your Guitar and Git!". Devvy wrote hundreds of poems and songs. Her songs were recorded by Debbie Reynolds, the singing and piano duo Martha Davis and Spouse, and the The Andrews Sisters. Devvy's tune "No Deposit, No Return" by the The Andrews Sisters around 1952 for Decca Records gained Devvy the most notice. In the fifties Devvy appeared as the girl singer for one season on the Tex Williams' Western Varieties (1951) on KTLA Channel 5 in Los Angeles and on her own daily Western Music TV show on KCOP Channel 11 in which she co-wrote, co-produced and co-directed. Devvy Davenport appeared in several feature films, and for about a year, around 1950, was under contract to RKO Pictures under Howard Hughes. Devvy's films included Hometown Girl (1948), Hollywood Varieties (1950), Wild Women (1951) and others. The The French Line (1953) starred (2004 Silver Spur Award Winner) Jane Russell. Devvy was one of the "show models" in the film along with another young unknown starlet at the time, Kim Novak. In 1962, Devvy continued her acting career and believe it or not, was the 'runner up' for the Elly May Clampett role for the top 10 hit, _"The Beverly Hillbillies"_ which went to another blond beauty, 'Donna Douglas'. Also in 1963, Devvy started her own country music magazine. Titled "Country Music Report / Review", she wrote, edited and co-published and it became the #1 C&W publication in the United States and received special recognition in Nashville, Tennessee. "Country Music Report" took a different approach to covering country music for the fans, offering more than just song lyrics and short notes on the artists. And it was printed on a higher quality paper stock that stands up to the test of time even some forty plus years later. As she developed the magazine, her famous contacts became more than just professional courtesy; she was able to consider such super stars as Johnny Cash and 'Marty Robbins' good friends too. Her personal editorial column was entitled, "Under My Hat" which bannered a close-up photo of Devvy wearing a cute little straw hat, ala Minnie Pearl. Many C&W newcomers to the West Coast scene were profiled by Devvy long before they made it big! In the 1960's at one of Johnny Cash's concerts, Johnny reprinted copies of Devvy's magazine and passed them out to the audience. He even gave the magazine a plug from the stage and recommended everyone to subscribe. Since her magazine was mail order only, such an endorsement became invaluable. In 1966 Devvy was one of the first performers to entertain our troops in South Viet Nam. Early in the war, she gave a show within 6 miles of the de-militarized zone (DMZ)! Her visit was no quick tour; she stayed and entertained the troops for over a year, traveling the country with the USO. While "in country" she also assumed the duties of Entertainment Editor of the Saigon Daily Times. She also traveled to other Far East countries to perform including Japan, Thailand, and the Phillipines. While in Thailand she operated a dance and drama school in Bangkok (and later in Rome, Italy). Her performing partner at this time was Gene Roman and their act was known as "The Love Bugs". On a sad note, her younger brother, who was in the armed forces was killed-in-action while Devvy was in the Far East. For her exemplary service and devotion to our fighting forces, Devvy was awarded the rank of Honorary Lieutenant Colonel by the United States Air Force. In later years, ever creative, Devvy made custom jewelry for retail sales, wrote children's stories for publication and donated time to charity. Devvy's volunteer work is legendary. As a faithful member of the Hollywood D.O.L.L.S. and the Reel Cowboys her dedication and energy to serve others was amazing. Devvy, who passed away on May 18, 2007, due to complications from Alzheimer Disease and is survived by two sons, Biff, who was also "in the business" and Dru.
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Jane Hoyt Thompson was born on 18 June 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. She was a producer, known for Cold Turkey (1971), Sanford and Son (1972) and All in the Family (1971). She died on 25 June 2004 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Elaine Baker was born on 29 April 1908 in New Jersey, USA. She was an actress, known for The Secret Call (1931), The Trial of Vince Barnett (1933) and Henry's Social Splash (1934). She was married to Niles Welch. She died on 20 December 1985 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.
- Renee Wedel was born on 18 February 1941 in Antioch, Illinois, USA. She was an actress, known for Remington Steele (1982), Alex & the Gypsy (1976) and The Crazy World of Julius Vrooder (1974). She died on 19 June 2007 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.
- Producer
- Writer
N. Gayle Gitterman was born on 28 July 1908 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. N. Gayle was a producer and writer, known for Whirlybirds (1957) and Romance of Radium (1937). N. Gayle was married to Marla Shelton and Mona Gitterman. N. Gayle died on 25 March 1976 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Shirley Yelm was born on 23 November 1936 in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. She was an actress, known for The Eleventh Hour (1962) and The Lively Ones (1962). She died on 25 October 2010 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.
- Additional Crew
Helen Vendler was born on 30 April 1933 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Helen is known for Ezra Pound: American Odyssey (1985). Helen was married to Zeno Vendler . Helen died on 23 April 2024 in Laguna Niguel, California. USA.- Kristine Cameron was born on 17 June 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She was an actress, known for Mahogany (1975). She was married to Ron Offen. She died on 21 April 2000 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.
- Soundtrack
Lee Dorman was born on 15 September 1942 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He died on 21 December 2012 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Director
- Producer
- Writer
Bernie Smith was a director and producer, known for Tell It to Groucho (1961), You Bet Your Life (1950) and General Foods 25th Anniversary Show: A Salute to Rodgers and Hammerstein (1954). He was married to Ruby. He died on 9 February 1990 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.- Justin Levens was born on 18 April 1980 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He died on 17 December 2008 in Laguna Niguel, California, USA.