OBITUARY

Gene Barry dies at 90; star of ‘Bat Masterson’ and co-star of ‘La Cage aux Folles’

Gene Barry (left) and Ann Robinson from “War of the Worlds” (1953)

The actor was known for his roles as debonair leading men on TV. His other key series were ‘Burke’s Law’ and ‘The Name of the Game.’

By Dennis McLellan

Los Angeles Times

December 10, 2009

Gene Barry, the ruggedly handsome actor who made a career of playing dapper and debonair lead characters on television beginning with the western series “Bat Masterson” in the late 1950s and later on “Burke’s Law” and “The Name of the Game,” has died. He was 90.

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OBITUARY

August Coppola dies at 75; professor was father of Nicolas Cage and brother of Francis Ford Coppola

The educator taught comparative literature at Cal State Long Beach and was a California State University system trustee before moving to San Francisco State.

By Claire Noland

Los Angeles Times

October 30, 2009

August Coppola, a former literature professor who was the father of actor Nicolas Cage and brother of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and actress Talia Shire, has died. He was 75.

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OBITUARY

Lou Jacobi dies at 95; character actor

Toronto native had a long career on Broadway and TV and in film, including a memorable cross-dressing scene in Woody Allen’s ‘Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex.’

Associated Press

October 27, 2009

Lou Jacobi, an actor who was known for comic roles and won praise in dramatic ones over a long career in the theater and movies, including Woody Allen’s “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex” and Barry Levinson’s “Avalon,” has died. He was 95.

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OBITUARY

Soupy Sales dies at 83; slapstick comic had hit TV show in 1960s

George Washington (KABC-TV Channel 7) In this undated photo, Soupy Sales does his best George Washington act for a KABC-TV Channel 7 show in Los Angeles broadcast around Washington’s birthday.

The comedian acquired a cult-like following among adults with a show ostensibly meant for children. His signature routine, which he elevated to an art form, was pie-throwing.

By Elaine Woo

Los Angeles Times

October 23, 2009

Soupy Sales, a comic with a gift for slapstick who attained cult-like popularity in the 1960s with a pie-throwing routine that became his signature, has died. He was 83.

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OBITUARY

Vic Mizzy dies at 93; film and TV composer wrote ‘Addams Family’ theme song

He also composed the theme music for the 1965-71 rural comedy ‘Green Acres.’

By Dennis McLellan

Los Angeles Times

October 20, 2009

Vic Mizzy, a film and television composer best known for writing the memorable theme songs for the 1960s sit-coms “Green Acres” and “The Addams Family,” has died. He was 93.

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Green Acres theme

The Addams Family theme

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OBITUARY

Cleo Trumbo dies at 93; wife of blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo

Cleo Trumbo | 1916 – 2009 ( Trumbo family ) Cleo Trumbo,

the widow of Oscar-winning screenwriter Dalton Trumbo

seen here in a 1942 photograph, died Oct. 9 of

age-related causes.

By Dennis McLellan

Los Angeles Times

October 18, 2009

Cleo Trumbo, the widow of Oscar-winning screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who was blacklisted for more than a decade as a member of the Hollywood 10, has died. She was 93.

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OBITUARY

Charles Manson follower Susan Atkins dies at 61

Atkins and Charles Manson appear in court on Oct. 13, 1970, in Santa Monica to enter pleas in the July 27, 1969, stabbing death of musician Gary Hinman, 34, at Hinman’s Topanga Canyon home. (Associated Press)

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Atkins was California’s longest-serving female prisoner at the time of her death. She was involved in one of modern history’s most shocking killing sprees, the 1969 Tate-LaBianca murders in L.A.

By Elaine Woo

Los Angeles Times

September 25, 2009

Susan Atkins, who committed one of modern history’s most notorious crimes when she joined Charles Manson and his gang for a 1969 killing spree that terrorized Los Angeles and put her in prison for the rest of her life, has died. She was 61.

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OBITUARY

John Hart dies at 91; the other ‘Lone Ranger’

John Hart temporarily replaced Clayton Moore as the Masked Man on the “The Lone Ranger” television series beginning in 1952. With him are Jay Silverheels as Tonto and their horses, Silver and Scout. (Boyd Magers collection)

The actor took over the TV role for 52 episodes after Clayton Moore walked out in a reported pay dispute, and also played the lead in the 1947 Columbia serial ‘Jack Armstrong: The All-American Boy.’

By Dennis McLellan

Los Angeles Times

September 22, 2009

Most TV fans of a certain age know the answer to the question, “Who played the Lone Ranger?”

Those who say Clayton Moore are correct, at least partially.

There was another actor who played the Masked Man on “The Lone Ranger” television series, temporarily replacing Moore in the title role for 52 episodes beginning in 1952.

John Hart, 91, the handsome and athletic actor who also starred in the 1940s movie serial “Jack Armstrong: The All-American Boy” and the 1950s TV series “Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans,” died Sunday at his home in Rosarito Beach, Mexico, said his wife, Beryl.

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OBITUARY

OBITUARY

Frank Coghlan Jr., who played Billy Batson in landmark Captain Marvel serial, dies at 93

The serial was the first to bring a comic book superhero to the big screen. Previously, Coghlan was a child actor in the ’20s and ’30s, and later did commercials and public relations work.

By Dennis McLellan

Los Angeles Times

September 16, 2009

Frank Coghlan Jr., a silent-movie child actor who later played young Billy Batson, who transformed into Captain Marvel by uttering the magical word “Shazam!” in the landmark 1941 serial “Adventures of Captain Marvel,” has died. He was 93.

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