| July 9 |
| 1928 -- Along with his twin brother, Bob, Vincent Edward Zoino is born today in Brooklyn, NY. A one-time aspiring Olympic swimmer, the highlight of Vince's acting career is his five-year run as 'Ben Casey.' Reportedly, Vince let his stardom go to his head and became difficult to work with. Four years after Casey ended, Vince starred in the short-lived ABC drama 'Matt Lincoln,' in which he portrayed a psychiatrist specializing in troubled teens. Lasting just four months, each episode was titled after the teen-in-trouble for the week. (The series began with 'Sheila' on September 24, 1970, and ended with 'Christopher' on January 14, 1971.) Vince died of pancreatic cancer on March 11, 1996, of pancreatic cancer. He was 68 years old. 1951 -- Legendary Detroit Tiger Harry Heilmann, who ended his career in 1932 and moved to the broadcast booth of his beloved Tigers in 1934, dies of lung cancer. Ty Cobb, knowing his former teammate was terminal, began a letter-writing campaign of sportswriters asking them to vote Harry into the Hall of Fame. Harry was inducted posthumously in 1952. A lifetime .342 hitter, Harry was 56 years old when he died. 1956 -- radio disc jockey Dick Clark debuts as host of "Bandstand'' on Philadelphia T-V station WFIL. 1976 -- Frederick Aaron Savage is born in Chicago. His first major role was in 1985's 'The Boy Who Could Fly,' but he gained national recognition three years later when he starred from 1988 - 1993 as Kevin Arnold in 'The Wonder Years.' Fred has spent most of the new century behind the camera as a director and producer. Happy Birthday, Fred! 1985 -- Joe Willie Namath signs a five-year deal to join the booth of Monday Night Football. Ironically, Joe's New York Jets were featured on the first Monday Nighter in 1970 as the Jets were beaten 31 - 21 by the Cleveland Browns. 1989 -- The Monkees perform their first concert in more than 20 years. While Peter Tork, Davey Jones and Mickey Dolenz had performed together several times, this is the first time they were joined by Mike Nesmith. The occasion was a Monkees convention in Los Angeles. 1992 -- solemn CBS News correspondent Eric Savareid, who began as one of 'Murrows Boys on radio during WW II, dies of stomach cancer. He was 79 years old. 1993 -- 'A Different World' ends its six-year run. 2004 -- Isabel Sanford, 'Weezie' on 'The Jeffersons,' dies of heart disease at the age of 86. |
| Vince recorded a number of albums for American Decca during his 'Ben Casey' years. The first one, 'Vincent Edwards Sings,' spent several weeks in Billboard's Top Twenty. |
| Lisa Bonet (2nd from L.) left 'A Different World' after the first season. |