| July 21 |
1911 -- professor/writer Marshall McLuhan is born in Edmonton. He was the originator of the phrases 'The medium is the message' 'Global village' and 'Vast wasteland.' He also coined the phrases 'Is that your final answer?' and 'It's hip to be square.' (Okay, so we made up that last part.) He died after a stroke December 31, 1980. He was 69 years old. 1924 -- The pride of Morgantown, West Virginia, Jesse Donald Knotts is born in the Mountain State this date in 1924. The youngest of four boys, Don begins his entertainment career by p entertaining at area parties as a ventriloquist. Following service in World War II (perhaps foretelling his future as 'Deadeye' Fife, Don received a Marksman Badge with Carbine Bar), Don earns a degree in Education from West Virginia University, borrows $100 and heads to New York City. Don's first break occurs in 1951 with the role of troubled Wilbur Peterson on daily soap 'Search for Tomorrow.' Don first gains national attention, though, in 1955 with his role on Broadway in 'No Time for Sergeants,' which starred an actor from Mt. Airy, North Carolina -- Andy Griffith. Both men reprise their roles in the 1958 film version. Already creating his own television presence on 'The Steve Allen Show,' Don hears that Andy will star in a series about a small-town sheriff. He promptly calls his friend and asks if he has a depty. When the answer was 'No,' Don promptly reminds Andy that 'Every sheriff needs a deputy,' and the character of Barney Fife was born. For five years Don was a regular on 'The Andy Griffith Show' and for three consecutive years (1961-1963) he won the Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy (Don won two more for reprising his role in both 1966 and 1967). Don's stay in Mayberry ended oddly, though; the show was originally planned to run just five seasons. When Don wasn't told any differently (this was before the 'big sendoff' of series finales), he signed a film contract with Univeral. Although led by Don and stocked with the top comic character actors of their day, the pictures were not box office smashes and were too quickly dismissed by critics, but those pictures (such as 'The Reluctant Astronaut') remain wholesome family fare with gentle slapstick comedy. With the exception of his one-season variety show in 1970-1971, Don didn't return to series television until 1979 when he created the role of landlord Ralph Furley (replacing Audra Lindley and Norman Fell when they were given their own spinoff series 'The Ropers'). While the first couple of seasons were awkward for anyone clinging to the Barney Fife persona, Don established himself in the last regular series role of his career. Although working almost to the end of his life, Don was plagued by ill-health his last years and relegated primarily to voice-over performances. (His last on-screen role was as a landlord on a 2005 episode of 'That '70s Show.') Don died of pulmonary and respiratory complications in a Los Angeles hospital on Friday, February 24, 2006. One of his last visitors that night was his long-time friend, Andy Griffith. Thanks, Don, for all the laughter. When the chips were down, we could always count on you to nip it in the bud. (For an excellent recollection of Don's career, check out Scott Collins' obituary of Don in the Los Angeles Times.) 1931 -- CBS broadcasts its first program. Kate Smith, George Gershwin and NYC Mayor Jimmy Walker are guests; Ted Husing hosts. 1987 -- It's announced that Mary Hart of 'Entertainment Tonight' has insured her legs for $2 by Lloyd's of London. 1998 -- Robert Young dies of respiratory failure at his home in Westlake Village, California. Although he often struggled with depression, he excelled during an extensive film career and with his two major series, 'Father Knows Best' and 'Marcus Welby, M.D.' Robert was 91 years old when he died. |
