Born 1884: S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall, remembered as a loveable, grandfatherly character actor, who fled Nazi Europe, landing in Hollywood movies in 1940. During that decade, it seemed he appeared in every other movie -- an occasional drama like "Casablanca" (1942), but mostly comedies, such as "Ball of Fire" (1941), "Wonder Man" (1945), and "Christmas in Connecticut" (1945). Died 1955.

Born 1890: Charles J. Correll, co-creator and the voice of Andy in, perhaps, radio's biggest comic phenomenon ever, "Amos 'n' Andy" (1928-55). Died 1972.

Born 1906: Gale Gordon, top character actor, specialized as pompous, blustery foils in radio (1945: "Fibber McGee, and Molly"), films (1960: "Visit to a Small Planet," 1989: "The 'burbs"), and television (1952-56: "Our Miss Brooks," 1960-62: "Pete and Gladys," 1962-63: "Dennis the Menace"). He's best remembered for his long association opposite Lucille Ball in radio's "My Favorite Husband" (1948-51) and TV's "The Lucy Show" (1963-68), "Here's Lucy" (1968-74), and "Life With Lucy" (1986). He would have been Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy," too, had Desilu been able to afford him. Died 1995.

• Quote: "Miss-suss Carrr-michael!!"

1922: Over in Kansas City, Missouri, at Newman's Laff-O-Grams, cartoonist Walt Disney began his career.

Born 1925: Elaine Stritch, gravelly-voiced actress, successful in movies (1988: "Cocoon: The Return") and TV (1975-78: "Two's Company"), but generally considered a Broadway baby (1970: "Company," 2002: "Elaine Stritch at Liberty," winning a Tony Award).

1933: Buster Keaton was fired by MGM, allegedly for drinking problems, but probably because they had no more use for him. The legendary silent movie star, writer, and director -- one of the truly greats --  made the mistake of signing with the studio, which had no interest in nurturing his career or placing him in suitable vehicles. He was swiftly finished and it took him years to bounce back to a level of dignity and success.

Born 1937: Tom Smothers, musical-comedy partner to his sibling, Dick. Together, The Smothers Brothers were A-list stand-up comics whose all-American boys image acquired a sense of the subversive during their late '60s variety series on CBS-TV. High-profile censorship issues led to its cancellation and notoriety.

Copyright ©2003 Mike Durrett. All rights reserved.