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1-11 of 11
- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Dick Van Dyke was born Richard Wayne Van Dyke in West Plains, Missouri, to Hazel Victoria (McCord), a stenographer, and Loren Wayne Van Dyke, a salesman. His younger brother was entertainer Jerry Van Dyke. His ancestry includes English, Dutch, Scottish, German and Swiss-German. Although he had small roles beforehand, Van Dyke was launched to stardom in the musical "Bye-Bye Birdie" (1960), for which he won a Tony Award, and, then, later in the movie based on that play, Bye Bye Birdie (1963). He has starred in a number of films through the years including Mary Poppins (1964), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and Fitzwilly (1967), as well as a number of successful television series which won him no less than four Emmy Awards and three made-for-CBS movies. After separating from his wife, Margie Willett, in the 1970s, Dick later became involved with Michelle Triola. Margie and Dick had four children born during the first ten years of their marriage: Barry Van Dyke, Carrie Beth Van Dyke, Christian Van Dyke and Stacy Van Dyke, all of whom are now in their sixties and seventies, and married themselves. He has seven grandchildren, including Shane Van Dyke, Carey Van Dyke, Wes Van Dyke and Taryn Van Dyke (Barry's children) and family members often appear with him on Diagnosis Murder (1993).- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
James Sheldon was born on 30 April 1977 in West Plains, Missouri, USA. He is an actor and assistant director, known for Wid Winner and the Slipstream (2010), Falling Away (2012) and Zombies 2: The Collab (2020).- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Nicholas J. Coleman was born in West Plains, Missouri, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for The Loudest Voice (2019), Orange Is the New Black (2013) and The Looming Tower (2018).- Actress
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Ali has recently landed the role of "Bianca" in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 (2011).
Ali's much appreciated childhood in West Plains, Missouri provided no outlets for an early career in performance. Relocating to Dallas gave her the opportunity to explore her talents, while achieving her BA in Communications. Her professional career began with playing the leading role of "Yonah" at the lucrative "Theatre Three of Dallas" in the musical, "Children of Eden". Her stellar voice and riveting performance won her the excitement of the critics, lending her the eyes and ears of the film industry. Ali's progress has speedily reached past Texas into other regional markets, as well as Los Angeles.- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Porter Wagoner was born on 12 August 1927 in West Plains, Missouri, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for The Porter Wagoner Show (1961), Nebraska (2013) and The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996). He was married to Ruth Olive Williams and Velma Johnson. He died on 28 October 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.- Actor
- Stunts
Pete Kellett was born on 4 November 1922 in West Plains, Missouri, USA. He was an actor, known for Zorro: The Gay Blade (1981), Star Trek (1966) and Swashbuckler (1976). He died on 7 August 1982 in Santa Ana, California, USA.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Known to millions of fans for his work on the weekly Porter Wagoner television show. Born Gilbert Ray Rhodes in the southern Missouri town of West Plains in 1915, Speck was one of six children. All were musical, but the three boys -- Speck, Slim, and Dusty -- were turning professional by the time they were in their teens. By 1934 they were touring the RKO vaudeville circuit as the Log Cabin Mountaineers. Later on, Dusty became a fiddle champion, and Slim organized one of the best-known radio bands in the Memphis-Arkansas area. During this time Speck played a little banjo, a lot of bass fiddle and developed his comic character. In 1960 Speck auditioned for the new TV show Porter Wagoner was starting in Nashville. Though both he and Porter had come from West Plains, and though they knew each other, they had not worked together before. The chemistry was there, though, and Speck began an association with Porter that would last over 20 years. His colleagues in the show were banjoist Buck Trent, dancing fiddler Mack Magaha, guitarist George McCormick and Don Warden.- Reathel Bean was born on 24 August 1942 in West Plains, Missouri, USA. He was an actor, known for Almost Famous (2000), The Good Shepherd (2006) and Dancer in the Dark (2000). He was married to Holly Vincent . He died on 4 October 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Jan Howard was born on 13 March 1929 in West Plains, Missouri, USA. She was an actress, known for The Devil All the Time (2020), The Tale (2018) and Changing Hearts (2002). She was married to Maurice Acree Jr, Harlan Howard, Lowell Smith and Mearle Wood. She died on 28 March 2020 in Gallatin, Tennessee, USA.- Writer
- Producer
Joyce "Joy" Ringham Munn was born on a homestead near West Plains, Saskatchewan, Canada, on December 15, 1924. Her parents, Thomas and Frances (Kitty Shepherd) Ringham, met in Saskatchewan, where both had come from England to homestead.
After attending school in Regina, Saskatchewan, CA, she received an occupational therapy degree from the University of Toronto. Following internships in Vancouver and Montreal, she returned to practice in Vancouver and was instrumental in establishing an Occupational Therapy program for home-bound tuberculosis patients.
In the early 1950s, Joy's interest in art led her to Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa, where she lived with relatives while studying applied art. Joy soon took a job at WOI Radio and TV and became WOI TV's first commercial artist, where she created the black and white artwork that the station used on the air. This eventually led to her next role as co-founder, creative director and host of "The Magic Window," one of the first children's television programs in the country, which debuted in 1951.
Joy was a popular television personality in her day, and she was proud of her role in the early days of children's programming. WOI TV was the only station in Central Iowa in the early days, and the award-winning Magic Window featured activities such as handicrafts, songs, news items of interest, letters from viewers, and birthday recognition for the children watching the show. In 1952 she met Alfred "Fritz" Munn, and they married in 1953. Soon after that, Joy left The Magic Window, but the show continued for another 40 years, and The Magic Window is still the longest running children's television show in American history.
She was a tireless volunteer and served on many local boards and committees. She was also instrumental in helping the City of Ames acquire the Munn Woods nature area.
Joy was a talented artist, and her extended family will remember her through the many drawings and paintings she left behind. Joy spent her last years at Green Hills Retirement Community in Ames, Iowa, USA, where she continued to bring joy to the lives of the staff and residents.- Glenn Bradford was born on 18 June 1932 in West Plains, Missouri, USA. He died on 13 July 2002 in West Plains, Missouri, USA.