This Day in Humor with Mike Durrett


Born 1911: Billy Sands, character actor recognizable for his supporting roles as Pvt. Dino Paparelli in "The Phil Silvers Show" (1955-59) and as Harrison "Tinker" Bell in "McHale's Navy" (1962-66). Died 1984.

Born 1914: Danny Thomas, versatile nightclub performer turned actor, became one of television's defining TV fathers in the "Make Room for Daddy" sitcom (1953-1965). Behind the scenes, he was a powerhouse television producer with numerous hits, including "The Andy Griffith Show," "The Real McCoys," and "The Dick Van Dyke Show." He's the father of Marlo Thomas ("That Girl") and producer Tony Thomas ("The Golden Girls," "Soap," "Benson," "Empty Nest"). Died 1991.

Born 1930: Vic Tayback, character actor, best remembered as Mel Sharples, the cantankerous owner of Mel's Diner, scene of much of the "Alice" TV sitcom (1976-85). Died 1990.

Born 1931: Capucine, European model turned actress is known to English-speaking audiences as the cheating wife of Inspector Clouseau in "The Pink Panther" (1964) and for the comedy "What's New, Pussycat" (1965), also co-starring Peter Sellers. Died 1990.

1936: Porky Pig entered motion pictures in the Warner Bros. cartoon "Gold Diggers of '49," although his recognizable voice wouldn't arrive for a year, upon the employment of Mel Blanc.

Born 1944: Bonnie Franklin, sitcomland's mostly single mom, Anne Romano Royer, on "One Day at a Time" (1975-84).

Born 1955: Rowan Atkinson, British comedian and actor who became an icon in two television series, "The Black Adder" (1983) and "Mr. Bean" (1989).

1967: The final airing of "The Milton Berle Show" on ABC-TV. It was the third variety series for the comedian. The first catapulted him to superstardom as "Mr. Television" in 1948.

Died 1994: Morty the Moose, 6, seen strolling down the street during the opening credits of the TV series, "Northern Exposure."

Copyright ©2003 Mike Durrett. All rights reserved.