August 6













1881 (yes, 1881) -- He's best-remembered as The Cisco
Kid's jovial sidekick Pancho, but for Leo Carillo, born
today in Los Angeles, this was just the culmination of a
long, fruitful career and just a small portion of his
accomplishments.
Born into one of the area's most respected families (his
family tree includes a police chief, a governor and more),
Leo was initially a political cartoonist for the San
Francisco Examiner before going into acting and heading
to Broadway, where his work included starring roles in
such plays as 'Mister Antonio' and 'The Twin Beds.'
Beginning in 1928, Leo made more than 90 films, but it
wasn't until he accepted the role of 'Pancho' opposite
Duncan Renaldo's 'Cisco' that Leo nationally-known.
Beginning in 1950, when, incredibly, Leo was 68 years
old, 'The Cisco Kid' began a syndicated run of 156
episodes that ended in 1956 (when Leo was 75) and
continued in popular reruns for many years afterward.
The popular actor essentially retired from acting following
the series' conclusion.












A noted environmentalist, Leo served on the California
Beach and Parks commission for eighteen years and
was an important figure California's acquisition of Hearst
Castle at San Simeon, the Los Angeles Arboretum, and
the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Leo Carillo was
even made a goodwill ambassador by the California
governor.
Leo died of cancer in Santa Monica, California, on
September 10, 1961. His book Why I Love California
was published shortly before his death.













Because of his service to California, the Leo Carrillo
State Park, west of Malibu on the Pacific Coast Highway,
is named in his honor. Additionally, the Leo Carrillo
Ranch Historic Park originally Rancho de los Qiotes, in
Carlsbad, California is a registered California Historical
Site. You can help both by visiting the California State
Parks website and the Friends of Carillo Ranch website,












1911 -- Lucille Desiree' Ball is born in Jamestown, New
York. In a career spanning some 30 years, Lucy's
incredible television legacy includes 11Emmy
nominations, four Emmys (interestingly, as many for 'The
Lucy Show' as for 'I Love Lucy') and, in an award that's
unofficial but is hardly arguable, TV Guide named her the
Greatest TV star of all time.













Frail following a 1988 heart attack, Lucy died April 26,
1989, of an aortic aneurysm. She was 87 years old.













1928  -- one of radio's first serials, 'Real Folks,' debuts
on NBC radio.

1939 -- after successful stints with Ben Bernie and Eddie
Cantor, future TV icon Dinah Shore headlimes her own
show on the NBC Blue radio network.













1966 -- Seen on ABC television, 24-year-old World
Heavyweight champion Cassius Clay (soon to change his
name to Muhammad Ali) defends his title against
32-year-old Brian London. At the time, Cassius Clay's
record was 24-0 with 19 KO's. London, known as 'The
Blackpool Rock,' was 36 -13 with 27 KOs.
Cassius remained undefeated with a 3rd round KO.


1973 -- The ballyhooed teaming of 'Washington Post'
reporter Sally Quinn and broadcast veteran Hughes Rudd
on the 'CBS Morning News' begins, but quickly flounders.
The curmodgeonly Rudd, a friend of Walter Conkrite, and
Quinn part company when she resigns four months later
following the February 1st, 1974, broadcast.



























1977 -- Soleil (pronounced so-LAY, it's French for 'sun')
Moon Frye is born in Glendora, California. Best-known
for her role as Penelope 'Punky' Brewster in the '80s
NBC sitcom, Soleil directed her first film when she was
only 19 years old. Married to producer Jason Goldberg
since 1998, they have two children, Poet Sienna Rose
and Jagger Joseph Blue.



1991 -- Harry Reasoner, who anchored the ABC Evening
News and was a correspondent on '60 Minutes,' dies only
three months into his retirement, following a fall at his
home. The incident is thought to have caused the blood
clot that caused his death. Harry was 68 years old at the
time of his death.
Leo Carillo State Park (above) and
The Carillo Ranch (R) a registered
California Historical Landmark and
listed on the National Register of
Historic Places.
Lucy's off-screen life had
its share of pain. Not only
was Desi known for his
infidelity, but Lucy also
suffered two miscarriages
prior to the birth of her
children Lucie Arnaz and
Desi Arnaz, Jr. (pictured
left, with their mom and her
longtime co-star Gale
Gordon.)
There are many
excellent websites
devoted to the
Lucille Ball and the 'I
Love Lucy Show.'
Here's a great start
for you.
In 2004, British
Boxing ranked
Brian London
#8 on the list of
post-WWII
English boxers.
(Image
courtesy of
fighttoys.com)
Sally Quinn and Ben Bradlee, former
Managing and Executive Editor of 'The
Washington Post,' have been married
since 1979. In the movie 'All the
President's Men,' Bradlee was
portrayed by Jason Robards.