Skitch Henderson on the Steve Allen Show.

Steve Allen - American television personality Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen was an American television personality, radio personality, musician, composer, actor, comedian, and writer. In 1954, he achieved national fame as the co-creator and first host of The Tonight Show, which was the first late-night television talk show. Born: December 26, 1921, New York, NY Died: October 30, 2000, Encino, Los Angeles, CA Spouse: Jayne Meadows (m. 1954–2000), Dorothy Goodman (m. 1943–1952) Children: Steve Allen Jr., Bill Allen, Brian Allen, David Allen

Don Knotts Born July 21, 1924 in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA Died February 24, 2006 in Los Angeles, California, USA (pulmonary and respiratory complications) Don Knotts, the legendary television character actor, was born Jesse Donald Knotts on July 21, 1924 in Morgantown, West Virginia, to William Jesse Knotts and the former Elsie L. Moore. He was the youngest of four sons in a family that had been in America since the 17th century. His first stint as an entertainer was as a ventriloquist, performing paid gigs at parties and other events in Morgantown. He decided to make a stab at a career in show business, moving to New York City after graduating from high school, but he only lasted in the Big Apple for a few weeks. He decided to go to college, enrolling at West Virginia University but, when World War II engulfed America, he enlisted in the United States Army. The 19-year-old soldier was assigned to the Special Services Branch, where he entertained the troops. It was while in the Army that Don ditched ventriloquism for straight comedy. Don returned to West Virginia University after being demobilized. After graduating with a degree in theater in 1948, he married and moved back to New York, where connections he had made while in the Special Services Branch helped him break into show business. In addition to doing stand-up comedy at clubs, he appeared on the radio, eventually playing the character "Windy Wales" on "The Bobby Benson Show". From 1953 to 1955, he was a regular on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow (1951). Destiny intervened when he was cast in the small role of the psychiatrist in the Broadway play "No Time for Sergeants", which starred Andy Griffith, who would play a large part in Don's future career. Don also appeared in the film adaption of the play with Griffith. Don's big break before he hooked up again with Andy Griffith was a regular gig on the The Steve Allen Plymouth Show (1956) hosted by Steve Allen, starting in 1956. He became well-known for his "nervous man" shtick in the "Man-on-the-Street" segments that were a staple of Allen's show. His character in the segments was a very nervous man obviously uptight about being interviewed on camera. He developed this into the fidgety, high-strung persona that he used successfully for the rest of his career. When "The Tonight Show" moved to Hollywood in 1959 with new host Jack Paar, Don also moved to California as a regular. However, he was soon cast in Andy Griffith's new television series about a small-town sheriff, The Andy Griffith Show (1960), in the role that would make him a legend. For playing "Deputy Barney Fife", Don was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor five times from 1961 to 1967, winning each time. He soon tasted big-screen success, starring in The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964). Don cut back his appearances on The Andy Griffith Show (1960) to concentrate on making movies after signing a five-year contract with Universal Pictures. For Universal, Don appeared in The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966), The Reluctant Astronaut (1967), The Shakiest Gun in the West (1968), The Love God? (1969) and How to Frame a Figg (1971). His mid-1960s popularity as a movie comedian began to wane towards the end of the decade, and the contract was not renewed. Don returned to television as the star of his own variety show, but it was quickly canceled. During the 1970s, Don had a spotty career, appearing in regional theater and making guest appearances on other television series. He eventually made some slapstick movies with Tim Conway for the Walt Disney Company, but it wasn't until the end of the decade that he tasted real success again. He was cast as would-be-swinger landlord "Ralph Furley" on the popular sitcom Three's Company (1976) after the original landlords, "The Ropers", were spun off into their own series. Since the show was canceled in 1984, he appeared as "Barney Fife" for a 1986 reunion of The Andy Griffith Show (1960) and in television guest spots, including a recurring gig as the pesky neighbor "Les Calhoun" on Griffith's Matlock (1986) series until 1992. He remained busy for the next ten years touring with plays and doing voice-over work for cartoons. In 2005, Don provided the voice of "Mayor Turkey Lurkey" in Disney's animated film Chicken Little (2005). It turned out to be one of his final films. He died at age 81 on February 24, 2006. Spouse (3) Frances Yarborough (2002 - 24 February 2006) ( his death) Loralee Czuchna (12 October 1974 - 1989) ( divorced) Kathryn Elaine Metz (27 December 1947 - 17 March 1966) ( divorced) ( 2 children) Was a ventriloquist in his early years from out of high school and his doll was named Danny. Enlisted in the United States Army at age 19. Father of Karen Knotts and Thomas Knotts. Cousin of Jodi Knotts. He was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. Had portrayed Windy Wales on Mutual Radio's "Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders" (1949-1955). Technically was an Army Reservist for one week. After being inducted for World War II service on June 14, 1943, was assigned to the Army Enlisted Reserve Corps on inactive duty. Reported for active duty one week later, on June 21, and was transferred to active duty status in the United States Army. Veteran of the Second World War who was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with 4 bronze service stars), Army Good Conduct Medal, Marksman Badge (with Carbine Bar) and Honorable Service Lapel Pin. Served in the United States Army, under the service number "35 756 363", from June 21, 1943 to January 6, 1946. Discharged in the rank of Technician Grade 5, which was the equivalent of a Corporal. Together with Tom Poston and Louis Nye, he did the recurring "Man on the Street" skits on The Steve Allen Plymouth Show (1956). Received his Bachelor's degree in Education from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia in 1948. Took an early job plucking chickens for a market when he was told he didn't have a future in acting. Buried among the stars at the beautiful and prestigious Westwood Memorial Park. 1218 Glendon Avenue, Los Angeles, California. Died on the same day and at the same age as Dennis Weaver. Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Actors' Branch). Don ceased to be a regular on The Andy Griffith Show (1960) after 1965 because originally, the show's producers had intended to end the series after that year, still at a creative and popular peak. Knotts had already signed a multi-picture deal with Universal Studios when Griffith relented to network pressure and kept his show on the air for several more years. Don said later that he deeply regretted having to leave the show, but his film commitments prevented him from continuing as a cast regular. Received a special tribute as part of the Annual Memorial tribute at The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007). His last television role was a guest appearance on the animated series Dave the Barbarian (2004). He was nominated for a 1973 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Guest Artist for his performance in the play, "The Mind with the Dirty Man", at the Arlington Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7083 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on January 19, 2000. In the 2003 Mayberry reunion, Knotts said, referring to their child co-star, we call him Mr. Howard now.

Skitch Henderson Biography Born January 27, 1918 in Halstad, Minnesota, USA Died November 1, 2005 in New Milford, Connecticut, USA (natural causes) Birth Name Lyle Russell Cedric Henderson Mini Bio (1) Composer, conductor, band leader, arranger, pianist, jazz expert and accompanist to Judy Garland on tour, Skitch Henderson was educated at Juilliard and the University of Califonia and was a student of Malcolm Frost, Roger Aubert, Albert Coates, Fritz Reiner, and Arnold Schönberg. He was a pianist in dance bands, and then theater orchestras, and in films and radio on the West Coast. He served in the US Air Force during World War II, then became Bing Crosby's music director on radio. Between 1947 and 1949, he toured with his own dance band, and from 1961 was the musical director for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) and a guest conductor for a number of symphony orchestras including the New York Philharmonic and the London Philharmonic. He was also music director for the New York opera "Street Scene" and made many recordings. Joining ASCAP in 1958, his instrumental compositions include "Skitch's Blues," "Minuet on the Rocks," "Skitch in Time," "Come Thursday," and "Curacao." Spouse (2) Ruth Einseidel Michaels (7 February 1958 - 1 November 2005) ( his death) ( 2 children) Faye Emerson (12 December 1950 - 1957) ( divorced) Trivia (7) Daughter Heidi was married to William Hurt. Hit #110 on the Billboard Singles Charts in 1968 with "Green, Green Grass of Home" (Columbia 44333). Musical director for ABC Radio's "I Deal in Crime" (1946-1947). Bing Crosby gave Skitch his nickname, a shortening of the phrase "sketch kid," so called because of Skitch's ability to sketch out a musical score in different keys. Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 239-240. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007. Currently the founder, music director, and conductor of the New York Pops in New York City. He founded the orchestra, which performs at Carnegie Hall, over 20 years ago, and continued to be its leader until his death. Skitch Henderson listed his birthplace as Birmingham, England early on to further his career. He was in fact born in Halstad, Minnesota, and can be found as a 2 year old in the 1920 US Census in Hasltad in Norman County, Minnesota. He was orphaned at a young age and raised by his aunt Hattie Gift.

TOM POSTON ACTOR a/k/a Thomas Gordon Poston (October 17, 1921 – April 30, 2007) was an American television and film actor. He starred on television in a career that began in 1950. He appeared as a comic actor, game show panelist, comedy/variety show host, film actor, television actor, and Broadway performer. According to USA Today Life editor Dennis Moore, Poston appeared in more sitcoms than any other actor. In the 1980s, he played George Utley opposite Bob Newhart's character on Newhart. Early life Poston was born in Columbus, Ohio, the son of George and Margaret Poston. His father was a liquor salesman and dairy chemist. After completing high school, Poston attended Bethany College in West Virginia, but did not graduate. While there, he joined the Sigma Nu Fraternity. He joined the United States Army Air Forces in 1941. Accepted to officer candidate school and then graduating from flight training, Poston served as a pilot in the European Theater in World War II; his aircraft dropped paratroopers for the Normandy invasion. Poston served in North Africa, Italy, France, and England. After his discharge, he began studying acting in New York City, graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Career In 1953, as Thomas Poston, he was cast as "Detective" in the film City That Never Sleeps. In 1957, Poston gained recognition as a comedic "Man in the Street" (along with his colleagues Louie Nye, Dayton Allen and Don Knotts) on The Steve Allen Show. For these performances, Poston won the 1959 Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor (Continuing Character) in a Comedy Series. In the fall of 1959, when the Allen program moved west to Los Angeles, Tom remained in New York, appearing frequently on Broadway and television game shows. He was a regular panelist on many Mark Goodson-Bill Todman CBS Television panel shows, including To Tell the Truth and What's My Line?. Poston's film career was limited, with appearances in films such as William Castle's Zotz! (1962), The Old Dark House (1963), Soldier in the Rain (1963), Cold Turkey (1971), The Happy Hooker (1975), Rabbit Test (1978), Up the Academy (1980) and Carbon Copy (1981). However his television career was expansive, covering the better part of five decades, and saw him contributing his comedic talents in virtually every corner of the medium, from made-for-TV movies to variety shows to situation comedies to talk shows and even to voice-overs for cartoons. When Mel Brooks submitted his idea for the television show Get Smart to the ABC network, ABC wanted Poston for the lead role of Maxwell Smart. When ABC passed on the show, the lead went to Don Adams. Poston, however, made a guest appearance on the show during its run on NBC. Poston also appeared in Thriller during its second season in 1961. The episode, number six, was entitled "Masquerade" and also starred Elizabeth Montgomery. In the summer of 1968, Poston played the role of the Scarecrow, at The Municipal Opera Association of St. Louis, production of The Wizard of Oz. Lana Cantrell played Dorothy Gale, and Betty Low played the Sorceress of the North, also known as Glinda. The handprints of Tom Poston in front of Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park. Poston was a recurring guest star on The Bob Newhart Show in the 1970s. He later played the role of Franklin Delano Bickley on Mork & Mindy. A longtime friend of Bob Newhart, Poston played George Utley, bumbling country handyman of the Stratford Inn, on Newhart and appeared with Newhart in Cold Turkey as the town drunk, Edgar Stopworth. He was nominated for an Emmy Award three times for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance on Newhart in 1984, 1986, and 1987. He had a third role with Newhart in the short-lived Bob. Poston had regular roles on many other television series: Family Matters, Murphy Brown, Home Improvement, Cosby, Malcolm & Eddie, ER, Grace Under Fire, That '70s Show (as Kitty Forman's father, Burt Sigurdson), Will & Grace, and guest starred in an episode of The Simpsons as the Capital City Goofball. He played dentist/jeweler, Art Hibke, on ABC's Coach, for which he was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 1991. He guest-starred on Home Improvement as a surly airport clerk in Alpena, Michigan when Tim and Al get stuck there during a snowstorm on Christmas Eve, and again as that character's brother in the episode "The Tool Man Delivers". In 2001, he appeared in The Lone Gunmen episode of "The Cap'n Toby Show"[7] and in "King of the Hill" episode "Now Who's The Dummy?" as Mr. Popper (voice). In 2005, he played the character "Clown" on the brief-lived NBC series Committed and guest-starred on the ABC series 8 Simple Rules as Rory's unlawful friend Jake in the episode "Good Moms Gone Wild". In 2006, Poston guest-starred on an episode of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody entitled "Ah! Wilderness" as Merle, which was his final role. Poston appeared in supporting roles in films, including Krippendorf's Tribe (1998), The Story of Us (1999), Beethoven's 5th (2003) and two released in 2004, Christmas with the Kranks and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. The band They Might Be Giants mentioned Poston as a writer for The New York Times in its song "Critic Intro". Personal life Poston and actress Jean Sullivan were married in 1955 and divorced in 1968. Their daughter is actress Francesca Poston. Poston married Kay Hudson in 1968. They had two children, daughter Hudson Poston and son Jason Poston. They divorced in 1975 but remarried in 1980 and remained together until her death in 1998 from ALS. In 2001, Poston married actress Suzanne Pleshette, who played the wife of Newhart's character Bob Hartley on The Bob Newhart Show, his fourth marriage. Poston had an affair with Ms. Pleshette in 1959. Tom Poston enjoyed fishing in northern Wisconsin. Death After a brief illness, Poston died of respiratory failure on April 30, 2007 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 85. Although he was not Jewish, he was interred in the Jewish Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery as his widow, the late Suzanne Pleshette, was Jewish.

Louis Nye Born May 1, 1913 in Hartford, Connecticut, USA Died October 9, 2005 in Los Angeles, California, USA (lung cancer) Birth Name Louis Neistat He was one of those delightfully pretentious comic actors you loved to hate, his flip manner and faux rich boy arrogance possessing his characters no matter what social stature they were. Louis Nye (first name pronounced Louie) was a master at sketch comedy, foreign accents and the quicksilver ad lib. Born To Russian-Jewish émigrés in Hartford, Connecticut, he initially joined a troupe called the Hartford Players. Eventually he moved to New York and found work on radio and in musical revues. At his peak, he divided himself equally on stage, clubs, radio, films, comedy albums and TV, but it was the last medium that tapped into his talents best during the "Golden Age." He broke into the big time when he earned a regular gig on Steve Allen's comedy show during the mid-50's "Golden Age". His best known character, hands down, was the droll, effete country-club braggart Gordon Hathaway with the forlorn-looking eyebrows whose off-the-cuff catchphrase salutation to Allen, "Hi, ho, Steverino!" continues to have life in various shapes and forms even today; most notoriously Rob Schneider's Richard, the "makin' copies" character from SNL. On occasion Louis was allowed some stretch in the acting department, playing it rougher and tougher, but, for the most part, his gents were more mincing than menacing. The movies never made full use of his comic potential. Most of his parts were little more than flashy, extended cameos, some better than others. Often the unctuous con man, leering neighbor or opportunistic Madison Avenue executive, his movie credits include The Facts of Life (1960), The Wheeler Dealers (1963), Good Neighbor Sam (1964), A Guide for the Married Man (1967), Harper Valley P.T.A. (1978) and Cannonball Run II (1984). As for TV sitcoms, he was always the second-banana, never the head cheese. Over the years Louis bolstered most of Hollywood's star comedians including Lucille Ball, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Bill Cosby, and Jonathan Winters. He played the spoiled rich boy Sonny Drysdale, an extension of his Hathaway character, on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), and, most recently, Jeff Garlin's dad on Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000), both characters pure Nye. Working in night clubs and TV until just a few years ago, he died at age 92 on October 9, 2005, of lung cancer. He was survived by his wife, Anita Leonard, a pianist and songwriter who penned the standard "A Sunday Kind of Love," and son Peter, an artist. Spouse (1) Anita Leonard (1947 - 9 October 2005) ( his death) ( 1 child) Destiny led Louis to meet Carl Reiner while entertaining troops in World War II. Both had entered the Army as regular soldiers, but due to their talents were soon assigned to Special Services, performing in shows across the Pacific. The day they met heralded a turning point in modern comedy. Together they developed a mutual magic for original, entertaining sketches that carried them into their long comedic careers. Was one of the three "men on the street" on Steve Allen's show. The other two were Don Knotts and Tom Poston. He died at his home in Los Angeles after a long battle with lung cancer. He had a son, Peter, with his wife, Anita. Personal Quotes I couldn't make the Dramatic Club [in high school] because my algebra was so bad." I still think of myself as an actor. In the radio days, I was busy playing rotten Nazis, rich uncles and emotional juveniles -- the whole span -- and the only time I tried to be funny was at parties.