Christopher Reeve

Birth:	Sep. 25, 1952, USA
Death:	Oct. 10, 2004 Bedford Westchester County New York, USA
Actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Superman in four movies. He was born in New York City on September 25, 1952. When he was four, his parents divorced, and his mother moved with sons Christopher and 'Benjamin' to Princeton, New Jersey. He began acting at the age of ten, in a stage production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Yeoman of the Guard" at McCarter Theater in Princeton, and joined the actors' union when he was sixteen. After graduating from high school, Reeve studied at Cornell University, while at the same time working as a professional actor. In his final year of Cornell, he was one of two students selected (Robin Williams was the other) to study at New York's famous Juilliard School of Performing Arts, under the renowned John Houseman. Although Christopher is most well known for his role as Superman (1978), he starred in many other movies, such as "Deathtrap," "Village of the Damned," and "The Remains of the Day." He also made his Broadway debut in "A Matter of Gravity," which also starred Katharine Hepburn. In May of 1995, he was competing in an equestrian competition in Culpepper, Virginia, when he was thrown from his horse. He fractured the top two vertebrae in his neck and damaged his spinal cord. After undergoing many months of therapy, he was able to breathe without a respirator, and move his index finger, as well as regaining sensation in other parts of his body. He became a major advocate for stem cell research. He also authored two books, "Still Me" and "Anything is Possible." He returned to acting as well, appearing in the television movie production "Rear Window," for which he won a Screen Actor's Guild Award. Before his death, he had appeared on the television series "Smallville" as well. He died at Northern Westchester Hospital in Bedford, New York. Cause of death: Heart failure
Burial: Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend.

Susie Garrett

Birth:	Dec. 29, 1931 Detroit Wayne County Michigan, USA
Death:	May 24, 2002 Southfield Oakland County Michigan, USA
Actress. Susie Garrett had rolls on 'Punky Brewster' and ''The Jeffersons'. She played Betty Johnson on "Punky Brewster" and also appeared in 10 episodes of the CBS television show called "The Jefferson's", that featured an African American family's rise into high society. Susie has a sister who is also an actress, Marla Gibbs, who played George and Louise Jefferson's maid. Television producer, Aaron Spelling, was the first person who saw her in the '227' play. In turn, she signed a contract with NBC. Mrs. Garrett moved from Los Angeles to Detroit, Michigan before breaking into television. She had walk'on parts in the 'Jeffersons' episodes. She also appeared in the film "The Wicked Stepmother". Her last performance is in a PBS special that will be aired this month on Channel 56. She narrates and plays the part of Sojouner Truth in "The Sojouner Truth Story". She also co-founded an acting school in Los Angeles, the Crossroads Arts Academy Theatre. Mrs. Garrett graduated from Detroit High School in 1949 and earned an associate's degree from Shaw College in Detroit in 1975. Mrs.Garrett, age 71 of Detroit, died of cancer at Providence Hospital in Southfield. Cause of death: Cancer

Diana "Princess Di" Spencer

Birth:	Jul. 1, 1961
Death:	Aug. 31, 1997
British Royalty. Born The Honourable Diana Frances Spencer, she was the fourth child, third girl, of Edward John Spencer and the Honorary Frances Ruth Burke Roche, then Viscount and Viscountess Althorp. Her parents separated in 1967 and were divorced in 1969. She was a member of an aristocratic English family that had served the crown for generations (her father had been an equerry to King George VI, father of Queen Elizabeth, from 1950-1952 and also to the Queen herself for the first two years of her reign). Her childhood playmates included the Queen's sons, the Princes Andrew and Edward. Upon the death of her grandfather, the 7th Earl Spencer, in 1975, Diana inherited the title of "Lady" and moved to Althorp, a stately mansion built in 1508 in the English Midlands. It was there where she struck up a conversation with Prince Charles during a shoot in November 1977. There wasn't talk of a relationship between Charles and Diana until late-1980, when Diana worked as a part-time kindergarten teacher in London. It was during this time that the media interest in Diana intensified. She would be trailed by photographers for the rest of her life. The engagement of Lady Diana and Prince Charles was announced on February 24, 1981 and they were married at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on July 29, 1981 amidst nearly every royal house in the world and a TV and radio audience of 750 million (fulfilling a Spencer family dream: An ancestor, also named Lady Diana Spencer {1710-1735}, almost married Frederick, Prince of Wales in the early-1700s. The match was encouraged by her grandmother, Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, but was eventually broken up by the wishes of King George II). Upon her marriage, Diana's full title was Her Royal Highness The Princess Charles, Princess of Wales, Countess of Chester, Duchess of Cornwall, Duchess of Rothesay, Countess of Carrick, Baroness of Renfrew, Lady of the Isles and Princess of Scotland. Although the style was incorrect, she was popularly referred to as "Princess Diana." Diana and Charles had two children: Prince William Arthur Philip Louis, born in 1982 and Prince Henry Charles Albert David, born in 1984. Diana was famous for her groundbreaking fashion choices but she also broke barriers in the late-1980s when she was the first celebrity to be photographed shaking hands with an AIDS patient without a glove and she touched leprosy patients in the poorest parts of the world without concern for her own health. Diana and Charles separated in December 1992 and were divorced on August 28, 1996, upon which Queen Elizabeth II stripped her of the title of "Her Royal Highness" and decreed she be addressed in the future as "Diana, Princess of Wales." Upon her separation, and after her divorce, Diana redefined herself: She cut the number of charities she supported to a handful and, in the last year of her life, she became passionate about banning antipersonnel land mines in war-weary Third World Countries. She died in an automobile accident in the underpass of the Place D'Alma Bridge in Paris, France shortly after midnight on Sunday, August 31, 1997 along with Dodi Al-Fayed, son of Harrod's department store owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, and driver Henri Paul (a fourth passenger, Dodi's bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, survived the crash, but required extensive plastic surgery for his injuries). The Liberty flame sculpture near the site of the accident serves as an unofficial monument to Diana.
Burial: Spencer Estate Grounds Althrop Northamptonshire, England Plot: Island on the lake Oval

Dick Sargent

Birth:	Apr. 19, 1933
Death:	Jul. 8, 1994
Actor. He replaced actor Dick York in the role of 'Darrin Stephens' on the popular television comedy, "Bewitched." He had been offered the initial role of Darrin when the show first premiered in 1964, but he turned it down as he was under contract to Universal Studios. Born Richard Cox in Carmel, California, his father, Colonel Elmer Cox, was a World War I hero and a Hollywood business manager, and his mother, Ruth McNaughton Cox, was a film actress who went by the stage name of Ruth Powell. He initially attended the San Rafael Military Academy in Menlo Park, California, but changed to Stanford University, where he majored in Drama. His first movie role was uncredited in the 1954 film, "Prisoner of War." Adopting the stage name, Richard Sargent (later shortened to Dick Sargent), he found work in both television and film, including such popular television shows as "Gunsmoke", "Wagon Train", "The Rat Patrol", "Love American Style", "Baretta", "Charlie's Angels", and "The Dukes of Hazzard". Between television episodes, he also fit in supporting roles in such movies as "Operation Petticoat" (1959), "That Touch of Mink" (1962), "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" (1966) and in such lesser-known films as "Body Count" (1987), "Murder by Numbers" (1990) and "Frame Up" (1991). In 1964, the television show "Bewitched" became a hit, and without explanation after three seasons, he replaced veteran actor Dick York as the foil husband of witch 'Samatha Stephens', played by actress Elizabeth Montgomery (Dick York had become severely ill from a back injury suffered five years earlier, that would plagued his life). His role of 'Darrin' would last another three seasons, from 1969 to 1972. He continued taking support roles in television and movies, and occasionally performing on the stage. In 1989, he was diagnosed with prostrate cancer, and two years later, he came out as gay, becoming a role model for gay men. He had a long-time companion with whom he lived for over 20 years, before the unidentified man died from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1979, after whom Sargent lived with writer/producer Albert Williams until his death in 1994. His last role was that of 'Mr. Randolph' in the television movie, "Acting on Impulse" (1993). He died of prostate cancer in Los Angeles, California, in July 1994. Cause of death: Cancer

Agnes Moorehead

Birth:	Dec. 6, 1900 Clinton Worcester County Massachusetts, USA
Death:	Apr. 30, 1974 Rochester Olmsted County Minnesota, USA
Actress. She was born Agnes Robertson Moorehead in Clinton, Massachusetts, the daughter of a Presbyterian minister. She was a graduate of Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio then went on to earn a master's degree in English and public speaking at the university of Wisconsin. She continued her studies in New York at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and began appearing on Broadway and radio. With Joseph Cotton and Orson Welles, she was founder and charter member of the famed Mercury Theater Players. She worked in radio throughout her career, and received many accolades. Agnes was involved in two of the most famous shows of all time: Sorry Wrong Number which earned her the Golden Mike Award as well as a Golden Record and the hard to forget War of the Worlds the infamous Orsen Welles broadcast. She had five nominations for Oscars in her career and made her film debut in Orsen Welles movie "Citizen Kane." Agnes Moorehead appeared in many movies often cast in acid tongue roles and some are: "The Magnificent Ambersons, Our Vines have Tender Grapes, Dark Passage, The Left Hand of God and The Bat." Her numerous TV guest appearances led her to the 1960s TV sitcom Bewitched and became "Endora" the overbearing mother. She and several cast members were exposed to radiation while making "The Conqueror" in Nevada which led to speculation this was the cause when diagnosed with lung cancer. She worked until the very end. Coming full circle, she ended her career on the Broadway stage. When the disease progressed, she was admitted to Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota where she died. She was returned to Ohio for her entombment. Dayton was the last pastoral assignment of her father. Agnes had a presence in the area. She had attended high school in Hamilton and when not busy in Hollywood residing in her Beverly Hills home, she would spend long periods of time on a farm she owned in Hamilton purchased so as to be near her parents. After a private Presbyterian funeral service, Agnes was interred beside them in Abby Mausoleum located in Dayton's historic Memorial Park. Cause of death: Uterine cancer

Dick York

Birth:	Sep. 4, 1928 Fort Wayne Allen County Indiana
Death:	Feb. 20, 1992 Grand Rapids Kent County Michigan
Actor, most remembered for his role as Darrin Stephens, the often-frustrated husband of Elizabeth Montgomery, in the Television sitcom series, Bewitched. Born Richard Allen York in Fort Wayne, Indiana on 4 September 1928, he quickly found work in the entertainment industry. In 1943, at age 15, he became the star of the network radio program, "That Brewster Boy." Beginning in movies in 1947, with the role of Philip Norton in the film "Shy Guy" (1947), his roles were few and far between. To further develop his skills and to earn money, he played a number of small roles on early television shows, beginning with "Visit to a Small Planet" on the Goodyear Television Playhouse in May 1955. Over the next several years, he continued playing small, supporting actor roles on such TV series as Kraft Television Theatre, The Philco Television Playhouse, Studio One, the United States Steel Hour, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents, all the while doing numerous other supporting actor roles in less than memorable films, waiting for the big breakthrough role which never came. In 1959, while acting in the role of Private Renziehausen in the cavalry film "They Came to Cordura" (1959), he injured his back, which later aggravated into degenerative spine injury. In 1964 he won the supporting role of Darrin Stephens in the comic TV series "Bewitched," where he played the all-too-human husband of a witch with supernatural powers, played by Elizabeth Montgomery. His back continued to hurt him, and he quit the role in 1969, being replaced by actor Dick Sargent. From 1983 to 1985, he regained his health enough to play a couple of small supporting roles in such TV series as Simon and Simon and Fantasy Island. He later founded Acting for Life, a private fund raising effort for the homeless, which he managed from his home while bedridden from his degenerative spine injury.  He was married in 1951 to Joan York, until his death on 20 February 1992 of emphysema, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Cause of death: Emphysema complicated by a degenerative spinal condition

David White

Birth:	Apr. 4, 1916
Death:	Nov. 27, 1990
American stage actor who appeared frequently on television and occasionally but impressively in films. A Marine Corps veteran of the Second World War, he worked on Broadway and on tour in stage productions after the war. In the late 1950s, he became an increasingly familiar face on American television, following a strong performance in the film 'Sweet Smell of Success (1957)', in which he played the smarmy fellow who gets a dalliance with the unwilling 'Barbara Nichols' in exchange for a favor to Tony Curtis's Sidney Falco. Cads and pompous politicians became White's strong suit, but he achieved his greatest fame as the unctuous Larry Tate on the hit TV series "Bewitched" (1964). He continued to work in the Theatre, particularly as a member of acclaimed Theatre West company in Los Angeles and at the Mark Taper Forum there. In December, 1988, White's 33-year-old son Jonathan was killed in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, UK. White, who had been widowed soon after Jonathan's birth, was embittered and enraged by this new tragedy. He became reclusive for a time, but was returning to some social activity and Theatre work when he died of a massive heart attack in 1990, just a few days prior to the second anniversary of his son's death. He was survived by his daughter.

Elizabeth Victoria Montgomery

Birth:	Apr. 15, 1933
Death:	May 18, 1995
Actress. best remembered for her leading role as Samantha, the beautiful witch who cast spells by twitching her nose on the top-rated ABC Sitcom "Bewitched" (1964-1972). Montgomery was born in Hollywood, California in April of 1933, the daughter of actress Elizabeth Allen Montgomery and actor-director Robert Montgomery. Montgomery attended Westlake School for Girls and Spencer School in New York. She then enrolled in the Academy of Dramatic Arts. Montgomery's TV debut was in 1951 on her father's show, Robert Montgomery Presents. Her first Broadway show, "Late Love," won her a Theater World Award. On TV, a role in "The Untouchables" (1959) marked Montgomery's first Emmy Award nomination. TV highlights also included roles on "Studio One,"" Kraft Theater," "G.E. Theater," "Alcon Theater," "the Twilight Zone," "Thriller," "77 Sunset Strip," "Rawhide" and "Wagon Train." Montgomery's film debut was in "The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell" (1955), with Gary Cooper, followed by "Johnny Cool" (1963), starring Sammy Davis, Jr., and "Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed" (1963), with Dean Martin. On the TV show "Bewitched," Montgomery played Samantha Stephens, a witch married to Darrin, a mortal, first portrayed by Dick York and then Dick Sargent. The antics of the well-meaning Samantha and her quirky relatives wreaked havoc for Darrin, who tried to conceal all the strange goings-on from nosy neighbors and from his stuffy boss. "Bewitched" was the number-one rated sitcom for four of its eight years, with Montgomery being nominated for an Emmy Award five times for her portrayal of Samantha. After "Bewitched" she played dramatic roles in TV movies, including "A Case of Rape" (1974), "The Legend of Lizzie Borden" (1975), "Black Widow Murders" (1993), "The Corpse Had A Familiar Face (1994), and "Deadline For Murder" (1995). Montgomery also narrated the movie "The Panama Deception," which won an Academy Award in 1993. Married four times, her first husband was the French businessman Frederick Gallatin Cammann (1954-55). Her second husband was actor Gig Young (1956-63). In 1963, Montgomery married William Asher, the producer-director of "Bewitched." The couple divorced amicably in 1973. They had three children. She moved in with fourth husband Robert Foxworth in 1975, and was with him until her death from cancer at her Los Angeles, California home on May 18, 1995. Among Montgomery's personal crusades was AmFAR, The American Foundation for AIDS research, and she regularly supported liberal causes. In 1998, Montgomery's children and husband donated her wardrobe for auction so that money could be raised for AIDS charities.  Cause of death: Colon cancer

David Fitzgerald Doyle

Birth:	Dec. 1, 1929
Death:	Feb. 26, 1997
American motion picture and television actor. Played 'John Bosley' on the hit 1970s TV series "Charlie's Angels." He was also a semi-regular panelist on Match Game. Cause of death: Heart attack

Farrah Fawcett

Birth:	Feb. 2, 1947 Corpus Christi Nueces County Texas, USA
Death:	Jun. 25, 2009 Santa Monica Los Angeles County California, USA
Actress. Born Mary Farrah Leni Fawcett, she is best known for her role as Jill Munroe from the television series "Charlie's Angels." She appeared on the series from 1976 to 1980. She left the show at the conclusion of the first season in 1976, but returned to the series in guest role appearances over the next three seasons as part of a contractual settlement, avoiding a potential breach of contract lawsuit. Fawcett became one of the premier sex symbols of the 1970s and 1980s, appearing on the magazine covers of "Playboy," "Harpers Bazaar," "People," "Time," "Cosmopolitan," "Vanity Fair," "Vogue" and "TV Guide" among others. In 1976 she posed in a red swimsuit poster, selling over 12 million copies worldwide. Fawcett was the former wife of actor Lee Majors and live-in girlfriend of actor Ryan O'Neal. She began her career appearing in television commercials for Ultra-Brite toothpaste, Noxema shaving cream and Wella Balsam shampoo before moving on to television and motion pictures. Her motion picture credits include: "Myra Breckinridge" (1970), "Logan's Run" (1976), "Somebody Killed Her Husband" (1978), "Sunburn" (1979), "Saturn 3" (1980), "The Cannonball Run" (1981), "Extremities" (1986), "See You in the Morning" (1989), "Man of the House" (1995), "The Apostle" (1997), "The Lovemaster" (1997), "Dr T and the Women" (2000) and the "Cookout" in 2004. Her television credits include: "Mayberry R.F.D.," "I Dream of Jeannie," "The Flying Nun," "The Partridge Family," "McCloud," "Marcus Welby M.D.," "The Six Million Dollar Man," "Ally McBeal," "Spin City" and the "Guardian." In 2004 she was the recipient of two TV Land Awards for her work in Charlie's Angels, and in 1977 she earned a People's Choice Award as Favorite Female Performer in a New TV Program. She also drew critical acclaim for her work in the television motion picture "The Burning Bed" in 1984, and was also nominated for her work in "Small Sacrifices" (1989), "The Guardian" (2001), "Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story" (1987) and "Nazi Hunter: The Beate Klarsfelt Story" in 1986. In 1995 she was awarded a star on Hollywood's prestigious Walk of Fame, and in 2003 she was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame. Diagnosed with cancer in September 2006, she waged a long battle with the disease before eventually succumbing to it at the age of 62.

Elvis Aaron Presley

Birth:	Jan. 8, 1935 Tupelo Lee County Mississippi, USA
Death:	Aug. 16, 1977 Memphis Shelby County Tennessee, USA
Rock Singer, Actor. His career reached such acclaim that he is now universally known as "The King of Rock and Roll". Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, he and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948. Graduating from Humes High School in 1953, in 1954, he began his singing career with the Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor, and he went to Nashville, Tennessee to record his first records for the company. On January 28, 1956, he made his television debut on the Dorsey brothers' "Stage Show". In March of that year he came under the management of "Colonel" Tom Parker, whose contract would last the rest of Presley's lifetime and beyond. In 1956 he released the singles "Heartbreak Hotel," "Blue Suede Shoes," "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," "Hound Dog," "Love Me Tender", all of which reached gold record status (selling over 1,000,000 copies). In August of that year he began filming his first movie "Love Me Tender." He got the nickname Elvis the Pelvis, from his performance on Milton Berle's "Texaco Star Theatre", which worried the family minded Ed Sullivan. By his third performance, Sullivan decided to "crop" Elvis. Thus, the now famous "from the waist up only" appearance on the Sullivan show. In March 1957 he purchased Graceland. On March 24, 1958 he entered the Army. A few months later he went on leave to be with his sick mother. Gladys Presley died the day after he arrived home in Memphis. He would call her death the greatest tragedy in his life. In January 1960 he was promoted to sergeant and was discharged that March. On May 1, 1967, he married Priscilla Beaulieu, daughter of an Army officer that he had met while in Germany. They were divorced in 1973. They had one daughter, Lisa Marie. During his career he had 94 gold singles, three gold EPs, and over 40 gold albums. His 33 movies grossed over $180 million and millions more were made by the merchandising of Elvis products. Globally, he has sold over one billion records, more than any other artist. Elvis died at Graceland. His death was attributed to congestive heart failure. Later it was determined that drug abuse may have been a contributing factor. He was an international sensation. Known the world over by his first name, he is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture.

Robert Reed

Birth:	Oct. 19, 1932
Death:	May 12, 1992
Motion picture and television actor. Fondly remembered in the role of 'Mike Brady,' the father on the popular TV series "The Brady Bunch." Cause of death: Cancer related to AIDS

Pernell Roberts

Birth:	May 18, 1928 Waycross Ware County Georgia, USA
Death:	Jan. 24, 2010 Malibu Los Angeles County California, USA
Actor. Born in Waycross, Georgia, he began entertaining during his high school years, singing at area USO shows. He briefly attended Georgia Tech and the University of Maryland (without graduating), and served in the United States Marine Corps. He first achieved notable acting recognition during the mid-1950s, appearing in a string of off-Broadway Shakespeare plays, beginning with "Macbeth" (for which he received a Drama Desk Award, 1955), also including "Romeo and Juliet" and "The Taming of the Shrew". He made his Broadway debut in the short-lived play "Tonight in Samarkand" (1955), and made the transition to the small screen with guest appearances on such programs as "Trackdown" and "Have Gun- Will Travel". It would be the role of 'Adam Cartwright' in the popular long-running television western series "Bonanza", which made Roberts identifiable at that point in his career. He left the cast in 1965, remaining busy with guest appearances in a wide range of television programs throughout the 1960s and 1970s including "The Wild, Wild West", "Mission: Impossible", "Hawaii Five-O", "The Six Million Dollar Man" and "The Rockford Files". His second most identifiable part was the title role in the television medical drama "Trapper John, M.D." (1979 to 1986), for which he earned an Emmy Award nomination.

Dan Blocker

Birth:	Dec. 10, 1928
Death:	May 13, 1972
Actor. He is best remembered for his role of ‘Hoss Cartwright' in the TV series, "Bonanza," which ran from 1959 to 1972. Born in Bowie County, Texas, he entered the movie and television field in 1955 with his first role in the film, "Hook a Crook" (1955). He began taking small cameo roles on television, in such programs (mostly westerns) as "Gunsmoke," "Playhouse 90," "Cheyenne," "Tales of Wells Fargo," "The Restless Gun," "Maverick," "The Rifleman," and "Zane Grey Theater." He continued to play bit parts in many less-than-memorable movies, such as "The Girl in Black Stockings" (1957), "Outer Space Jitters" (1957 - he played a Prehistoric Zombie opposite the Three Stooges), and "Gunsight Ridge" (1957 - uncredited). His big break came with the role of ‘Hoss Cartwright' in the 1959 television series, "Bonanza," in which he played one of four sons to a wealthy Nevada rancher played by actor Lorne Greene. Most viewers of "Bonanza" did not realize that Hoss Cartwright's character was really named Eric Cartwright (Hoss being a nickname because he "had the stamina of a horse." During the successful run of "Bonanza," he started the Bonanza Steak House restaurant chain. Two of his children – David and Dirk, followed his path in Hollywood (David is a producer and Dirk is an actor). There is a museum dedicated to Dan Blocker in O'Donnell, Texas (in Lynn County, about 40 miles due south of Lubbock, Texas). Cause of death: Pulmonary embolisim

Michael Landon

Birth:	Oct. 31, 1936
Death:	Jul. 1, 1991
Actor, Writer, Producer, Director. Born in Forest Hills, New York, to Eli Maurice Orowitz and Peggy O'Neal Orowitz. The family moved to Collingswood, New Jersey, when he was four. Eli and Peggy did not have the best of marriages and often times they had violent arguments. He experienced a stressful and unhappy childhood. His suffering from nocturnal enuresis (bed wetting) further complicated his life. His mother believed that she could cure this problem with shame. Therefore, every day she would hang his bedding out the window of his upstairs bedroom for all to see. Fearing that his friends would witness his private shame he would run home each day from school and remove the bedding, a practice that would help him in sports later on. He portrayed this part of his life in the 1976 movie "The Loneliest Runner," in which he acted, wrote, and produced. Although he had a genius level IQ he failed to maintain passing grades in high school. He was, however, a popular student and was considered by most to be very funny. Discovering the javelin turned his life around. He became so proficient in the sport that he was offered several athletic scholarships and accepted the offer from the University of California. While there he injured his arm and was forced to relinquish the scholarship. He dropped out of college and became employed at a warehouse in California. An audition was planned at Warner Brothers Studio for Michael and a co-worker. Warner Brothers was impressed with his audition. They signed him and sent him to acting school for four months. During this time he decided to take a stage name and chose the name Michael Landon, picking it from a telephone book. His first notable appearance on film was in "I Was a Teenage Werewolf" in 1957. Around this time producer David Dortort had a television show in the works that he had created called Bonanza. Dortorts successful persuasion to the network that he could make a hit television show with relatively unknown actors was another turning point in Michael's life and would form the basis of his career. Dortort chose him for the roll of Little Joe Cartwright. The show premiered on September 12, 1959 and was a hit for 10 of the 14 years it was on the air. While involved in Bonanza he was able to nurture his talent of writing and directing. He wrote and directed several of the episodes. His next project was Little House on the Prairie. The series, which premiered in 1974 and ended in 1983, was very successful. Relationships with his fellow actors on these projects were an essential part of his life and many remained close friends until his death. In 1984 he started his last television series, Highway to Heaven, which was to run until 1989. He was working on the production of a series when he became ill and was not able to see it to fruition. In April of 1991 he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was married three times. His first wife was Dodie Frasier. They were married from 1956 until 1962. In 1963 he married model Marjorie Lynn Noe and they divorced in 1982. He married makeup artist Cindy Clerico on February 14, 1983. He was the father of five sons and four daughters. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum posthumously inducted him into the Western Performers Hall of Fame in 1998. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is located at 1500 N. Vine Street. Cause of death: Cancer of the pancreas

Lorne Greene

Birth:	Feb. 12, 1915 Ottawa Ontario, Canada
Death:	Sep. 11, 1987
Actor. He is most remembered for his role as ‘Ben Cartwright’ on the 1960s television western series "Bonanza," and as ‘Commander Adama’ in the 1970s television science fiction series "Battlestar Galactica.” Born in Ottawa, Canada, he began his career while attending Canada's Queen's University, and after his graduation, started work in radio broadcasting. His deep, calm, reassuringly strong voice got him started in his film career as the voice of the narrator in several war films, including "Wings of Youth" (1940), "Front of Steel" (1940), and "War Clouds in the Pacific" (1941). During World War II, he made a number of films for the Canadian public, about the actions of the Canadian military during that war, and narrating several numerous other war films. Leaving Canada in the early 1950s for Hollywood, he quickly became a familiar actor in television, radio, and films. In the mid 1960s, his song, "Ringo" in which he speaks, not sings, the words, hit the top of the record list. After playing the voice of ‘Big Brother’ in the CBS Production of "Nineteen Eighty Four," he was offered the role of ‘Ben Cartwright’ in the television series, "Bonanza", a role that would make him a star. “Bonanza” ran from 1959 to 1972, one of the longest series in television. From 1963 to 1972, he co-hosted the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with Betty White on NBC-TV. He also had another television series hit in "Battlestar Galactia" which ran from 1978 to 1980. His last role was as General Sam Houston, in the television movie "Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory" (1987). He had accepted the role of ‘Ben Cartwright’ in a television movie reprise of "Bonanza" but died before it could be filmed. Cause of death: Complications from pnuemonia following ulcer surgery

Rue McClanahan

Birth:	Feb. 21, 1934 Healdton Carter County Oklahoma, USA
Death:	Jun. 3, 2010 New York New York County New York, USA
Actress. Best known as the co-star of the popular TV sitcom The Golden Girls. Born Eddi-Rue McClanahan, she grew up in Ardmore, Oklahoma, graduated from the University of Tulsa, and began a career as an actress in 1957. In 1969 she made her Broadway debut as Sally Weber in the original production of the musical Jimmy Shine, starring Dustin Hoffman. McClanahan's most noteworthy roles were on television from the 1970s to the 1990s, beginning with stints on the daytime dramas Another World and Where the Heart Is. From 1972 to 1978 she played Vivian Harmon, the best friend to Bea Arthur's Maude on the CBS sitcom of the same name, and she starred on Mama's Family as Fran Crowley from 1983 to 1985. She was reunited with Arthur for The Golden Girls (1985 to 1992), playing the sexually liberated Blanche Devereaux, for which she won an Emmy in 1987; she reprised the character in the spin-off show The Golden Palace (1992 to 1993). In 2000 she played she played Peggy Ingram in a TV Series Called Sorred Lives. McClanahan also appeared in such films as The Rotten Apple (1963), Walk the Angry Beach (1968), Some of My Best Friends Are..." (1971), and The Fighting Temptations (2003), and continued to take on theatre roles, including Madame Morrible in the Broadway musical Wicked (2005). Her last performance was a guest starring appearance on the Logo Network's series Sordid Lives. She was also active in the animal rights movement as a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Her autobiography My First Five Husbands was published in 2007. In 1997 McClanahan was diagnosed with breast cancer, from which she completely recovered, and she underwent triple bypass surgery in 2009. Cause of death: Stroke

Beatrice "Bea" Arthur

Birth:	May 13, 1922 New York New York County New York, USA
Death:	Apr. 25, 2009 Los Angeles Los Angeles County California, USA
Actress. In a stage and television career that covered more than 60 years, she earned both Tony and Emmy Awards. Born Bernice Frankel (she took her stage name from a brief marriage), she was raised in New York City, moved with her family to Maryland at 11, and received a degree in medical technology from Blackstone College in Virginia. Returning to New York, she enrolled in a drama course at the New School, and began her show business career at the Cherry Lane Theatre, off-Broadway. Arthur broke into television with the "Kraft Television Theatre", which ran from 1951 to 1958, and the early "Studio One" (1951 to 1953), and had numerous appearances on the small screen during the 1950s. In 1954 she took part in an English version of Kurt Weill's "Three Penny Opera"; appearing on Broadway in a number of productions, she was Yente the Matchmaker in the original cast of the 1964 "Fiddler on the Roof", and won a 1966 Tony Award for her portrayal of Vera Charles, Angela Lansbury's friend in "Mame". (She was to reprise the role for the silver screen with Lucille Ball in 1974). After appearing in a few episodes of "All in the Family" as Edith Bunker's liberal cousin "Maude", she was to star in her own spin-off series of that name from 1972 until 1978, winning an Emmy in 1977. A second Emmy was to follow in 1988 for for her role of Dorothy Zbornak in "Golden Girls", which ran from 1985 through 1992. Besides "Mame", her movie credits include Mel Brooks' 1981 "History of the World: Part I". Arthur was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame in 2008. Cause of death: Cancer

Hope Summers

Birth:	Jun. 7, 1896 Mattoon Coles County Illinois, USA
Death:	Jun. 22, 1979 Woodland Hills Los Angeles County California, USA
Motion picture and television actress. She is most remembered for her work on "The Andy Griffith Show." Her character went through a variety of names, such as 'Bertha Edwards' and 'Clara Johnson' before the producers finally settled on 'Clara Edwards.' In addition to TV appearaces, she appeared in movies such as "Edge Of Eternity," "Inherit The Wind," "Parrish," "Spencer's Mountain," "The Ghost And Mr. Chicken," and "Rosemary's Baby." Her television appearances included "The Rifleman," "Gunsmoke," "Maverick," "The Untouchables," "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "Bewitched," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Banacek," "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Dennis The Menace," "Gomer Pyle," "Little House On The Prairie," "Petticoat Junction," "That Girl," and "Welcome Back Kotter." Her last film role was in the 1978 movie "Foul Play" with Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn.

Harold "Hal" Smith

Birth:	Aug. 24, 1916 Petoskey Emmet County Michigan
Death:	Jan. 28, 1994 Santa Monica Los Angeles County California
American screen, television, and voice actor of the 1940s through the 1990s. Widely recognized for his portrayal of 'Otis Campbell' on "The Andy Griffith Show" of the 1960s.

Cause of death: Heart attack

Jack Dodson

Birth:	May 16, 1931 Pittsburgh Allegheny County Pennsylvania, USA
Death:	Sep. 16, 1994 Los Angeles Los Angeles County California, USA
Motion picture and television actor. Well-known as 'Howard Sprague,' the "momma's boy" county clerk of Mayberry on "The Andy Griffith Show." He later reprised the role on "Mayberry R.F.D." His credits include 6 films, 9 television roles, and 14 television guest appearances.  Cause of death: Heart failure.

Aneta Corsaut

Birth:	Nov. 3, 1933
Death:	Nov. 6, 1995
Actress. Born in Hutchinson, Kansas, Corseaut made her feature film debut appearing opposite Steve McQueen in the cult favorite ‘The Blob’ in 1958. In 1964 she landed the recurring role of Helen Crump in ‘The Andy Griffith Show’. It is the role for which she is probably best remembered. Other television apperences included that of Nurse Bradley on ‘House Calls’ during the late 1970s and early 1980s, as well as guest roles in dozens of television shows including ‘Emergency’, ‘Gunsmoke’, ‘Hart to Hart’ and ‘Matlock’ with her old co-star Griffith, the last time in 1991. She died four years later in Studio City, California, after a battle with cancer.

Howard McNear

Birth:	Jan. 27, 1905 Los Angeles California
Death:	Jan. 3, 1969
American stage, motion picture, and television actor of the 1950s and 60s. Fondly remembered for his portrayal of 'Floyd the Barber' on the classic 1960s TV series "The Andy Griffith Show." He played 'Andy the Barber' on "Leave it to Beaver." Cause of death: Complications of stroke

Don Knotts

Birth:	Jul. 21, 1924
Death:	Feb. 24, 2006
Actor, Comedian. Born Jesse Donald Knotts in Morgantown, West Virginia, he is best known for his roles as 'Deputy Barney Fife' in the 1960s television series the "Andy Griffith Show," and as landlord 'Ralph Furley' from the late 1970s television situation comedy series "Three's Company." He began his career as a ventriloquist and comedian in his local hometown of Morgantown. Following an unsuccessful career launch in New York, he returned home to attend West Virginia University. He entered the United States Army following his freshman year and served in the Pacific Theater entertaining troops in a variety show called "Stars and Gripes." Following the war he returned to college, graduating in 1948 with a Bachelor's degree in Education. After completing college he moved to New York City where he became a regular on several radio and television programs, including the "Steve Allen Show." In 1955 he made his theatrical debut on Broadway, appearing in the comedy "No Time for Sergeants" along with Andy Griffith. In 1959 he moved to Hollywood where he joined Griffith on the "Andy Griffith Show." He appeared on the series from 1960 to 1965 as a regular cast member, earning five Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performance as a Supporting Actor. In 1965 he left the show to follow a film career. Over the next two years he returned periodically to the "Andy Griffith Show" in numerous guest appearance roles. Following a successful career in low-budget films which lasted late into the 1970s, he returned to television as the leisure-suit clad landlord in "Three's Company." He appeared on the series from 1979 to 1984. His notable TV and film credits include "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" (1963), "The Incredible Mr. Limpet" (1964), "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" (1966), "The Reluctant Astronaut" (1967), "The Shakiest Gun in the West" (1968), "The Love God" (1969), "The Don Knotts Show" (1970), "The Apple Dumpling Gang" (1975), "Gus" (1976), "Return to Mayberry" (1986), "Matlock" (1986), "Pleasantville" (1998) and numerous voice over characterizations on animated films. Cause of death: Complications of lung cancer