Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
Search filters
Enter full date
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
Only includes names with the selected topics
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
1-50 of 50
- Sara Lane's relatively brief fling with show biz began in 1966 when she was cast as the orphaned Wyoming frontier girl Elizabeth Grainger in the long-running NBC western series The Virginian (1962). Opposite her co-stars James Drury and Doug McClure, she went on to feature in some 105 episodes until the penultimate season concluded in 1970.
Blonde and blue-eyed, she was born Susan Russell Lane in New York, the oldest of three siblings, to Broadway and screen actors Rusty Lane and Sara Anderson. As a nine months-old toddler, she appeared in an advertisement for a brand of soap and in an educational film about 'bathing babies'. The family later relocated to California where Sara attended Santa Monica High School, and, aged 12, made a TV commercial for vitamin pills. Producer/director William Castle noticed her picture in a newspaper covering her participation as a semi-finalist in a Miss Los Angeles Teen beauty contest. This led to a successful audition and a featured role (as one of two teenage telephone pranksters who get more than they bargained for) in the Joan Crawford thriller I Saw What You Did (1965).
Sara's approach to acting as a profession was reticent. She persisted in order to, in her own words, earn enough money to keep "making clothes, making jewelry, and raising quarter horses" (she owned two). In 1966, she was signed by the future head of Universal TV, Frank Price, to play the female lead in season five of The Virginian. Her casting for the role was aided by her skills as an equestrian. In fact, her experience on horseback allowed her to perform many of her own stunts.
In the mid-70s, Sara appeared (now billed as Russell Lane) in several low budget productions that are best forgotten. After retiring from film work in 1977, Sara and her husband were co-founders seven years later of the Havens Winery in Napa Valley, which, over time, acquired a solid reputation for producing red wine blends. In 2010, the business was acquired by the Smith-Anderson Wine Group.
Susan Russell Lane died from breast cancer on March 3 2023 and was survived by her husband of 43 years Jon Scott and her two children. - Diane Disney was born on 18 December 1933 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She was a writer, known for Walt Before Mickey (2015), One Hour in Wonderland (1950) and Christmas with Walt Disney (2009). She was married to Ron Miller. She died on 19 November 2013 in Napa, California, USA.
- Producer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Actor
Ron Miller was born on 17 April 1933 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was a producer and assistant director, known for The Magical World of Disney (1954), Tron (1982) and The Black Hole (1979). He was married to Diane Disney. He died on 9 February 2019 in Napa, California, USA.- Michael Chiarello was born on 26 January 1962 in Red Bluff, California, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for Easy Entertaining with Michael Chiarello (2003), NapaStyle (2004) and Season by Season (2000). He was married to Eileen Gordon and Ines Bartel. He died on 6 October 2023 in Napa, California, USA.
- Sara Anderson was born on 26 June 1920 in Rosholt, Wisconsin, USA. She was an actress, known for Shadow of the Cloak (1951), Lights Out (1946) and Rocky King, Detective (1950). She died on 8 April 1998 in Napa, California, USA.
- Margaret Keane was born on 6 September 1927 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. She was an actress, known for Big Eyes (2014), The Mike Douglas Show (1961) and Entertainment Tonight (1981). She was married to Daniel Francis McGuire, Walter Keane and Frank Richard Ulbrich. She died on 26 June 2022 in Napa, California, USA.
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Jessamyn West was born on 18 July 1902 in Vernon, Indiana, USA. She was a writer, known for The Big Country (1958), Stolen Hours (1963) and Friendly Persuasion (1956). She was married to Harry Maxwell McPherson. She died on 22 February 1984 in Napa, California, USA.- Born Virginia Hall in Larchmont, NY, Ginger arrived in LA in the late 1940s. Part of Paramount's 1951 Golden Circle "Stars of Tomorrow" campaign, she acted in a number of productions, including "Four Star Playhouse" alongside Charles Boyer, who famously suggested she change her name to Ginger. She sang at the Sands Hotel in Vegas and SF's Hungry I in 1957 (inspiring a Herb Caen mention) and on one of "Tenderly" composer Walter Gross's albums. She also joined Bob Hope's Korean War-era USO tours, entertaining the troops in Korea and Tokyo. It was after a European USO tour that she jumped ship in Paris, where she would live for 16 years. Ginger appeared in French films, including "Two Men in Manhattan" (1959), and dubbed the English version of hundreds of foreign films. A founding member of the Studio Theater of Paris with Lee Breuer and Ruth Maleczech, she appeared in a dozen plays.
In London, Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Venice, Turin, Beirut, and Cairo, Ginger worked as a cabaret singer, actress, and writer, collecting jewelry and "objets" along the way. In Paris, she studied art history at the Ecole du Louvre. She was co-owner of an antiques shop, Aux Trois Graces, in Montparnasse for six years.
After marrying actor-director Russ Moro and the birth of their son, Sandro, she returned to California in the 1970s. Over the next four decades, Ginger would research, collect, and deal in early 20th century artworks and vintage costume jewelry. In 1995, she published her book, "European Designer Jewelry."
She had two grandchildren: Sophia and Rocco; - David Banks was born on 24 October 1938. He was an actor, known for The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964) and Crazy Dan (1986). He was married to Charlotte Stewart and Lydia A Divincenzo. He died on 29 February 2012 in Napa, California, USA.
- Emad Tawfilis was an actor and producer, known for Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero (2016). He died on 16 March 2015 in Napa, California, USA.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Russ Moro was born in 1932 in Rome, Lazio, Italy. He was an actor, known for Magnum Force (1973), Rififi in Amsterdam (1966) and The Aeronauts (1967). He was married to Ginger Hall. He died on 9 March 2008 in Napa, California, USA.- Actor
Dannie Mac Grant was born on 21 November 1918 in Cochise, Arizona, USA. He was an actor. He died on 21 August 2006 in Napa, California, USA.- Cecelia Ann Shepard was born on 1 January 1947 in India. She died on 29 September 1969 in Lake Berryessa, Napa County, California, USA.
- Animation Department
Frenchy de Tremaudan was born on 9 March 1909 in Canada. He died on 24 November 1988 in Napa, California, USA.- Mozelle Cravens was born on 8 April 1914 in the USA. She was an actress, known for Raiders of Sunset Pass (1943). She was married to Johnny Hyde. She died on 23 June 2004 in Napa, California, USA.
- Scottie Harberts was married to Cal Harberts. She died on 7 December 2017 in Napa, California, USA.
- Casting Director
- Casting Department
Mel Ballerino was born on 16 January 1899 in California, USA. Mel was a casting director. Mel died on 25 June 1981 in Napa, California, USA.- Zane Mc Intosh was born in 1975 in Napa and raised in the towns of Yountville, Rutherford, and St. Helena. Mc Intosh's maternal family thrived by farming land holdings within the Napa Valley for 7 generations, since their first arrival in 1849 by horseback, ship, stage coach, and covered wagon. In Napa City his ancestors held the successful law firm Johnston and Johnston, along with several businesses, during the 19th and 20th centuries. His family were founding members of the Napa Valley Country Club, Napa State Hospital, and devoted their time towards holding elected offices, including 2 seats on the California State Senate. His father's line also pioneered California during the 1849 gold rush. His paternal family eventually settled within the Duboce Triangle District of San Francisco, while later surviving the 1906 Great Earthquake. The actor's lineage descends from some of the earliest established European families from the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Antebellum Old South. Zane's maternal grandfather and maternal grandmother both descend from the House of Plantagenet. The actor descends from the Saxon Kings of England (Edward I), the Kings of France and Spain, the Dukes of Normandy, and the Counts of Flanders. One of his ancestors is French Nobleman Matthieu de Jouhet, Master of the Horse to Louis XIII of France. Through his father, the Zane is 1st cousins, 5 times removed, to United States President Ulysses S. Grant. Oral tradition on his maternal line points to close blood ties to President Tyler, President Johnson, and President Taylor; and to Jefferson Davis through marriage. His mother is a grape grower of Cabernet Franc in the Rutherford Bench. The actor's father built submarines for the United States Navy. During Mc Intosh's formative years he was an avid member of the Rutherford 4H club, eventually serving as its treasurer and president. While at St. Helena High School, he involved himself in sports, primarily football and track. Mc Intosh attended the University of Oregon where he first took advantage of acting classes while concurrently double-majoring in Psychology and Sociology. He later obtained a masters degree in counseling from Sonoma State University. Before acting Mc Intosh supported himself by keeping individuals safe from harm while in a temporary period of psychiatric crisis. Prior to this he involved himself towards the making of wine and viticulture.
- Actor
Walter Stiritz was born on 4 June 1895 in Alton, Illinois, USA. He was an actor. He died on 25 June 1967 in Napa, California, USA.- Producer
- Music Department
Herb Cohen was born on 30 December 1932 in New York, USA. He was a producer, known for Boxcar Bertha (1972), 200 Motels (1971) and Tim Buckley: My Fleeting House (2007). He died on 16 March 2010 in Napa, California, USA.- Actor
- Art Department
- Additional Crew
Shorty English was born on 10 October 1870. He was an actor. He died on 3 November 1952 in Napa, California, USA.- Jack Lyman was born on 4 October 1916 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He was a writer, known for Battleline (1963) and Good Morning! with Will Rogers, Jr. (1954). He died on 9 December 2015 in Napa, California, USA.
- Actor
- Art Department
Dimitri Romanoff was born on 16 November 1907 in Tsaritzin, Russia. He was an actor, known for Armstrong Circle Theatre (1950) and Omnibus (1952). He died on 6 February 1994 in Napa, California, USA.- George Janek was born on 7 September 1962 in the USA. He was an actor, known for Starsky and Hutch (1975), Medical Center (1969) and Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969). He died on 27 August 2021 in Napa, California, USA.
- Francis Sanza was born on 25 October 1918. He died on 30 January 2018 in Napa, California, USA.
- Production Manager
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Producer
Jesse Corallo was born on 11 November 1921. Jesse was a production manager and assistant director, known for Tarzan Goes to India (1962), Go Tell the Spartans (1978) and Life with Elizabeth (1952). Jesse died on 9 March 1981 in Napa County, California, USA.- Make-Up Department
Robert Ewing was born on 3 December 1911. He is known for The Great Man's Lady (1941). He died on 29 January 1989 in Napa, California, USA.- Gilbert Fallman was born on 9 August 1897 in Eureka, South Dakota, USA. He was an actor, known for The Man from Planet X (1951), The Lone Ranger (1949) and One Too Many (1950). He was married to Frances Gertrude Hillman. He died on 25 March 1984 in Napa, California, USA.
- Camera and Electrical Department
William Garnett was born on 27 December 1916 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. William is known for From Here to There (1964). William was married to Eula Beal. William died on 26 August 2006 in Napa, California, USA.- Additional Crew
- Transportation Department
Burke Beardsley was born on 26 April 1957 in Greenbrae, California, USA. Burke is known for Godzilla (2014), Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) and Terminator Genisys (2015). Burke died on 15 May 2021 in Napa, California, USA.- Production Designer
- Art Department
- Art Director
William Strom was born on 14 October 1929. He was a production designer and art director, known for Better Off Dead (1985), One Crazy Summer (1986) and The Creature Wasn't Nice (1981). He died on 31 March 2010 in Napa, California, USA.- Dorothy Puder was born on 1 July 1915 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. She was married to Glenn D. Puder. She died on 28 September 2007 in Napa, California, USA.
- Eugene Turner was born on 26 November 1920 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Silver Skates (1943). He died on 14 January 2010 in Napa, California, USA.
- Margrit Mondavi was born on 2 August 1925 in Appenzell, Switzerland. She was married to Robert Mondavi and Philip M. Biever. She died on 2 September 2016 in Napa, California, USA.
- Jack Cakebread was born on 11 January 1930 in Oakland, California, USA. He was married to Dolores . He died on 26 April 2022 in Napa, California, USA.
- Dario Lodigiani was born on 6 June 1916 in San Francisco, California, USA. He died on 10 February 2008 in Napa, California, USA.
- Soundtrack
Eula Beal was a concert contralto who is most famous for her starring role in 1947's 'Concert Magic', the first full length movie of a classical music concert. Before this, she had performed with several major orchestras, mostly in the United States. In 1942, she married famous aerial photographer and former professor emeritus at Berkeley, William A. Garnett, who died in 2006. Shortly after their marriage, Garnett flew over the Napa Valley searching for a home for him and his new wife and found one in the town of Napa, where he and Beal settled and remained for the rest of their lives. Beal soon after retired from touring to concentrate on raising their three children, but continued to perform locally over the years with the San Francisco Opera, the Santa Rosa Symphony, and the Napa Symphony.- Location Management
Judy Batula was born on 9 October 1946 in Gary, Indiana, USA. Judy is known for A Healing (1997). Judy died on 10 October 2006 in Napa, California, USA.- Don Townsend was born on 29 October 1930 in Napa, California, USA. He died on 23 June 2021 in Napa, California, USA.
- Arthur Redden was born on 17 July 1908 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He was an actor, known for The Purple Cipher (1920), The Solitary Sin (1919) and Smiling All the Way (1920). He died on 25 January 1958 in Napa, California, USA.
- Marcia Sanza was born on 8 May 1954 in Vallejo, California, USA. Marcia died on 17 December 2020 in Napa, California, USA.
- Glenn D. Puder was born on 10 November 1911 in Ottumwa, Iowa, USA. He was married to Dorothy Puder. He died on 19 December 2011 in Napa, California, USA.
- Editor
- Director
- Producer
Leslie "Les" Lloyd Green was born in El Cerrito, CA on September 25, 1925. He passed away on September, 29, 2016 in Napa, CA. Les lived his early years in the State of Washington where he lived with his parents and sister, Loretta Williams in Port Gamble near the Puget Sound. He attended Drama School at the University of Washington. He moved to the Napa Valley in 1996 and lived in St. Helena, CA, Yountville, CA and finally in Napa, CA. He was survived by his spouse Angel Aguirre-Benites. They were married on July 8, 2013 but were together for 14 years.- Sound Department
- Music Department
Stephen Dunn was born on 26 December 1894 in Modesto, California, USA. He is known for Music in Manhattan (1944). He died on 3 February 1980 in Napa, California, USA.- Clarice Vance was a well known vaudeville headliner from the turn of the century to 1910. Her bio from the Johnson Briscoe 1904 book "The Actors' Birthday Book" states . . . "All lovers of vaudeville, from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Canada Border to Mexico Gulf, are familiar with the admirable methods of Clarice Vance, so well known by her sobriquet of 'The Southern Singer.' The first few years of Miss Vance's stage career were given over to farce comedy productions and it was not until about 1897 that she awoke to the full possiblities of the "coon song". Since then she has made this particular style of song her one big feature in the vaudevillle theaters and her popularity is truly amazing." In 1904 a Boston ciritic wrote,"Her charm is as powerful as it is indescribable". Between 1905 and 1909 she recorded for Edison (two cylinders) and for Victor (1906-1909). Several of her Victor recordings were big hits. Her recording of "I'm Wise" (1907) stayed in the Victor catalogs for 15 years. Other hits were "He's a Cousin of Mine" and "I'm Afraid to Come Home In the Dark". She played the Palace of Varieties in London for 26 week in 1909 and in 1910 starred in "A Skylark", a lavish Broadway musical production with Hazel Cox. Her picture appeared in Vanity Fair. In 1904, she married Moses Gumble, songwriter and New York manager of Remick Music Publishing. Together they were part of the New York theatrical elite. Clarice's stature (and she was over six feet tall) was such that all songs submitted to Remick were reviewed for her exclusive use in vaudeville. The Gumbles divorced in 1914 and Clarice nearly disappears from theatrical history. A single engagement at the Tivoli Opera House in San Francisco in 1919 and a brief appearance in movies, Down to the Sea in Ships (1922) and Daughters of the Night (1924) signify the end of her theatrical career. Today her records are prized and capture her unique spirit and subtle comedy gift. Her whereabouts and activities from 1924 to 1951 remain a mystery. Her picture graces dozens of pieces of sheet music from 1900 to 1914 . . . . but alas, references to her in show business documentaries are almost nonexistent. Abel Green of Variety referred to her in 1951 as one of the "vaudeville greats". Note: A complete vaudeville sketch, "April First" written by Clarice in 1900 can be accessed through the American Memories, Library of Congress Web site. In 1951 she was committed to the Napa, Californina hospital for the insane. At the time of her death in 1961 she had no friends or relatives. Only through an odd coincidence was it discovered that the deceased was Clarice Vance, a person of significant show business importance.
- Producer
- Writer
- Actor
Lee Cooley was born on 8 June 1909 in Oakland, California, USA. He was a producer and writer, known for Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall (1948), The Guy Mitchell Show (1957) and Dixieland Small-Fry (1957). He was married to Lee Morrison. He died on 27 October 1998 in Napa Valley, California, USA.- Louise Burleigh was born in 1956 in Klamath County, Oregon, USA. She died on 11 September 1977 in Napa County, California, USA.
- Jim Landis was born on 9 March 1934 in Fresno, California, USA. He was married to Sandy Foster. He died on 7 October 2017 in Napa, California, USA.
- Katherine Quinones was born on 14 July 1961. She died on 5 November 1986 in Napa County, California, USA.
- Anita Andrews was born on 10 August 1922 in Napa County, California, USA. She died on 10 July 1974 in Napa, California, USA.