This Day in Humor with Mike Durrett


Born 1917: Ernest Borgnine, Academy Award-winning actor, became a TV icon, Lt. Cmdr. Quinton McHale, in the WWII Navy sitcom, "McHale's Navy" (1962-66).

Born 1939: Ray Stevens, songwriter, musician, and vocalist, made his name as a comedy novelty song specialist. His hit recordings include "Ahab the Arab" (1962), "Gitarzan" (1969), and "The Streak" (1974).

Born 1949: John Belushi, sketch comedian and actor, bulleted to fame in the original cast of TV's "Saturday Night Live" (1975-79). His movie career was highlighted by "Animal House" (1978), "The Blues Brothers" (1980), and "Continental Divide" (1981). Died 1982, drug-related.

1961: Cartoon voice characterization wizard Mel Blanc suffered heavy injuries and a three-week coma from a Los Angeles automobile wreck. After a lengthy recovery period, he returned to Warner Bros. as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and crew, and to Hanna-Barbara as Barney Rubble on "The Flintstones."

Copyright ©2003 Mike Durrett. All rights reserved.