| May 6 |
| In 1912 Bill Quinn was born in New York City. Once a member of Orson Welles's Mercury Theater Radio group, he's best remembered to most of us as blind Mr. Van Ranseleer on 'Archie Bunker's Place' and Sweeney the bartender on 'The Rifleman.' He also played Mary's dad on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show.' In real life, he was the father of Ginny Quinn Newhart, which made him father-in-law to deadpan comedian Bob Newhart. Bill died April 29, 1994, a few days shy of his 82nd birthday. In 1950, Guy Lombardo's 'Third Man Theme' hit #1 on the pop singles charts and stayed there for 11 consecutive weeks. In 1957, the final broadcast of "I Love Lucy" aired on CBS. In 1980, Johnny Carson signed a new 3-year contract with NBC. The biggest change in the new agreement shortened 'The Tonight Show' from 90 minutes to an hour. 'The Jeffersons' moved on up -- and out -- from their deluxe apartment as the final episode aired in 1984. Actress Ja'net DuBois (Wenona, 'Good Times') sang the theme song. Charles Farrell, who played Gale Storm's dad on 'My Little Margie,' died of cardiac arrest this date in 1989. Distinguished British actor Wilfrid Hyde-White died this date in 1991. He was 87. The last episode of 'Friends' aired this date in 2004. Yes, Rachel and Ross finally got together. Host Tom Bergeron (Dancing with the Stars, New Hollywood Squares) in 1956. Roma Downey from 'Touched by an Angel' was born this date in 1961. If you ever want to hear a touching recitation, listen to Roma's recording of 'An Irish Prayer.' Before he was Michael Clayton or Danny Ocean, George Clooney was Detective Walker on 'Bodies of Evidence,' Ace Kolmar on 'E/R' and, of course, Dr. Doug Ross on 'ER.' He was also born this date in 1962. |
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