| May 25 |
| 1918 -- Claude Marion Akins, son of a police chief, is born in Nelson, Georgia. A graduate of Northwestern University, Claude's beefy features first appeared on the big screen in the uncredited role of Sergeant 'Baldy' Dhom in 'From Here to Eternity.' From that point on, he rarely wanted for work. Equally adept at playing villains and good guys, drama and comedy, he was a standout as a preacher in 'Inherit the Wind' on the big screen and oft-remembered as the strong, level-headed neighbor in the classic 'The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street' episode of 'The Twilight Zone'. His first genuine television stardom came from the role of '70s truck driver Sonny Pruett in 'Movin' On' and, later, as Sheriff Lobo, first on 'BJ and the Bear' and then on the spin-off 'The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo.' An avid golfer, Claude died of cancer January 27, 1994, at the age of 75. 1919 -- although he would be associated with broadcasts of the Giants, Mets, Notre Dame and numerous college bowl games, future sportscaster Lindsay Nelson is born this date in Campbellsville Tennessee. Lindsay died June 15, 1995, at age 76. 1947 -- Karen Lynne Valentine is born in Sebastopol, California. Karen's career got off to an auspicious start as she won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayl of student teacher Alice Johnson in the '70's serio-comedy 'Room 222,' but after that the networks didn't know what to do with the the cute, perky and talented actress (nee 'Sandy Duncan Disease'). Numerous made-for-television movies followed and a short-lived eponymous show but unfortunately Karen's career became a victim of its own gifts. 1964 -- at the 16th Annual Emmy Awards, big winners were 'The Dick Van Dyke Show' and its two leads, Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore. 'The Defenders' won as the best drama. 1970 -- Little Carrie Ingalls is born twice, as identical twins Rachel Lindsay Rene Bush and Sidney Robin Danae Bush are born in Los Angeles. In compliance with child labor laws, the sisters shared the role of the mostly-silent youngest daughter on 'Little House on the Prairie.' Their father is talented (but now retired) character actor Billy Green Bush, who's hayday was in the '70s as he guested on numerous shows and also on the big screen as Jack Nicholson's easy-going oil rigger buddy in 'Five Easy Pieces' and as Robert Blake's tragic friend and fellow motorcycle cop Zipper in 'Electra Glide in Blue.' (By the way, you can find out what the girls are up to on their very family-friendly website.) 1977 -- 'The Brady Bunch Hour' airs for the last time on ABC. 1990 -- America lost its favorite -- if not best -- short order cook when actor Vic Tayback died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Although his career had been equally divided into both cops and crooks, the burly actor gained his greatest fame as Mel Sharples over the course of 201 episodes with Linda Lavin as waitress 'Alice.' It's often overlooked that Vic originated the role in the film that inspired the series, 1974's critically-acclaimed 'Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore,' making him the only actor to carry over from film to sitcom. Vic Tayback was 60 years old when he died. 1996 -- Buck the dog, featured on 'Married With Children,' dies at the age of 91. (In dog years, anyway.) 1999 -- undomesticated husbands everywhere lost their staunchest supporter as the final episode of Tim Allen's 'Home Improvement' airs on ABC. |