| May 23 |
| 1910 -- Benjamin Sherman 'Scatman' Crothers is born in Terre Haute, Indiana. Although music always his first love, he his gravelly voice will always be associated with Louie the Garbageman in 'Chico and the Man' and the animated martial arts canine 'Hong Kong Phooey.' In film, he was also Dick Hallorann, the caretaker who unsuccessfully tried to rescue Danny and his mom in Stanley Kubrick's 'The Shining.' Unfortunately, Hallorann was red-rummed by Jack Nicholson . . . The Scatman died of lung cancer November 22, 1986, at the age of 76. 1928 -- Rosemary Clooney was born in Maysville, Kentucky. 1954 -- former Nebraska magician Johnny Carson begins as host of CBS's summer game show 'Earn Your Vacation.' 1954 -- 'Mr. Peepers' marries school nurse Nancy Remington in the first wedding on network television. 1960 -- WRCA, New York changed its call letters back to WNBC. 1963 -- NBC purchased television rights for the AFL championship game $926,000. Now, a 30-second ad in the Super Bowl costs more than that. 1975 -- distinctive African-American comedienne 'Moms'' Mabley died at the age of 81. Born Loretta Mary Aiken in 1894, Moms was a frequent guest in the '60s and '70s. One quote from Loretta: "There ain't nothin' an old man can do for me except give me a message from a young one." Although her career spanned five decades, white audiences didn't know about toothless Moms until she hit the TV talkshow circuit. 1995 -- viewers saw the final episode of ABC's 'Full House.' 2005 -- On 'Oprah,' Tom Cruise notoriously jumped on the set couch to proclaim his love for Katie Holmes. Due to the resultant negative publicity, press agents now discourage their clients from couch-jumping. Except for gymnasts, who are encouraged to leap over the couches from a standing start . . . 2006 -- ABC appointed Charles Gibson to replace Elizabeth Vargas as anchor of its evening newscast. Today's Birthdays: Actress Betty Garrett (All in the Family, Laverne & Shirley) is 89. Actress Barbara Barrie (Suddenly Susan, Barney Miller) is 77. Actress Mary Fickett (All My Children, The Nurses, Young Dr. Malone) is 76. Actress Joan Collins (Dynasty, Pacific Palisades, Guiding Light) is 75. Actress Lauren Chapin (Father Knows Best) is 64. Actress-model Karen Duffy (House of Tiny Terrors, Awful Truth) is 47. |