The inimitable Kate Smith was born this date in 1907.
Most associated with the song 'God Bless America,' Kate
hosted 'The Kate Smith Hour' weekday afternoons from
1950 - 1954 on the NBC network. Because of her
rounding figure, people often forgot that Kate was 5'10".
Known as 'The Songbird of the South,' Kate on June 17
1986 at age 79.
In 1916, Gwyllyn Samuel Newton 'Glenn' Ford was born
in Sainte-Christine, Canada. A direct descendant of U.S.
President Martin Van Buren, Ford was best known for
roles in such films as 'Gilda' and the original 'The
Courtship of Eddie's Father,' in which Ronnie Howard
played young Eddie, he starred in two TV series towards
the end of his career: modernday Southwestern sheriff
Sam Cade in 'Cade's County,' (CBS, 1971), with Edgar
Buchanan as his deputy, and 'The Family Holvak,' where
he portrayed a Southern minister (1975). Although he
retired from acting in 1991, Glenn lived until August 30,
2006, after a series of strokes.
Legendary talkshow host Jack Paar was born in 1906.
Jack hosted 'The Tonight Show' for five years.
Louis Nye was born in 1922. One of Steve Allen's 'Men
on the Street,' he was active til the end with a recurring
role on 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.' He died of lung cancer
September 9, 2005.
The original host of 'Jeopardy,' he was born this date in
1924. Although best-known as an emcee, as an actor he
also had recurring roles in two 1950s television shows:
'The Californians' and 'International Detective.' Who was
Arthur Fleming Fazzin? Correct! You now have control
of the board! (Take World Geography for $500. The
other two guys are terrible at World Geography!)
The last episode of 'Magnum, P.I.' aired this date in
1988. Tom Selleck's series nearly ended the year before
but got a reprieve from the honchos at CBS.
Today's Birthdays:
Actor Stephen Macht (State of Mind, Melrose Place,
Knots Landing).
Singer Rita Coolidge is 63.
Douglas Barr (Designing Women, The Fall Guy) is 59.
Dann Florek (Law and Order: SVU) is 57.
Charlie Schlatter (Diagnosis Murder, Ferris Bueller) is 42.
Darius McCrary (Family Matters) is 32.