Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
Search filters
Enter full date
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
Only includes names with the selected topics
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
1-10 of 10
- Actor
- Animation Department
- Soundtrack
He had one of Hollywood's most distinctive faces and a stentorian baritone voice to match. Character actor John Dehner, was born John Forkum in Staten Island, New York, the son of a globe-trotting artist. He attended school in France and Norway, in the process learning to speak four languages fluently. Back in the U.S., he graduated from high school in New York and proceeded to study for a diploma in art at the University of California. Any plans he might have had of following in his father's footsteps were derailed, however, when the acting bug suddenly took hold. In short order, the cash-strapped Dehner relocated to sunny California in search of a job. He worked for a while as a professional pianist and band leader but was then able to finagle a position as an assistant animator with Disney Studios for a salary of $18 a week. Dehner had a hand in several classic feature sequences, including Fantasia (1940) and Bambi (1942), as well as a few Donald Duck and Pluto cartoons. He returned to Disney in later years as a narrator and also played the part of Viceroy Don Esteban in an episode of the TV series Zorro (1957).
After leaving the Disney art department, Dehner did a stint as a public relations officer in the army during World War II and then returned to California as a radio announcer and news editor for stations KMBC and KFWB. In the course of many years, Dehner amassed a remarkable series of radio acting credits, most notably starring as Paladin in "Have Gun - Will Travel" and in similarly popular action programs like "Gunsmoke" and "Fort Laramie" (this, in spite of turning down several offers to play Marshall Matt Dillon on TV because he did not want to be typecast in westerns!). In films from the mid-40s, Dehner served a lengthy apprenticeship in assorted bit parts before graduating as one of Hollywood's most reliable villains, be they suave gamblers, crooked bankers, grifters or gunslingers. Just as often, his authoritarian demeanor proved perfect casting for stern fathers, military brass or cops. In The Left Handed Gun (1958), Dehner received second billing as Pat Garrett, co-starring opposite Paul Newman's Billy the Kid. On the small screen, he invariably made an impact as guest star in myriad classic TV shows, including Yancy Derringer (1958), Tales of Wells Fargo (1957), The Roaring 20's (1960), Maverick (1957), Bronco (1958), 77 Sunset Strip (1958), Rawhide (1959) and The Doris Day Show (1968) (a regular part during seasons four and five, as Doris's editor Cy Bennett). Dehner appeared in three episodes of The Twilight Zone (1959), reserving one of his best performances (displaying a wonderfully dry comic talent) as the titular huckster in late 1800s Arizona, in the episode "Mr. Garrity and the Graves" (1963).
One of Hollywood's most hard-working character actors, John Dehner died in Santa Barbara, California, on February 4 at the age of 76.- Like many actors of his day, Joseph La Cava's contribution to films will never be fully measured or documented. He started appearing in films in the 1930s and through a friendship with Bud Abbott, became Abbott's stand-in when Abbott was filming the Abbott and Costello series. This lead to a few notable roles during those productions because Abbott was usually very kind to La Cava and tried to see that he'd get dialog or at least upgraded to a silent bit where he'd interact with the actors but he wouldn't speak.
Like most actor's, his work with the person he stood in constantly kept La Cava busy but it also lead to him establishing connections with various casting directors who would put him to work when Abbott was filming a movie. The trouble was that since Abbott and Costello were insanely popular during the 1940s and early 1950s, La Cava didn't work in too many other films.
By the early 1950s, La Cava took over his usual duties as Abbott's stand-in on the Abbott and Costello show but during this time, the comedy duo wasn't working as often and were frequently touring so La Cava was frequently gaining employment elsewhere. He played various roles but was frequently cast in shows that were filmed at Universal or Des-Lu studios produced.
In 1960, La Cava caught another break. He was able to establish his role as a character in Howard Duff's Dante series. He would frequently be seen bringing Duff's character drinks or severing customers. Like most good things in Hollywood, La Cava's run on the show didn't last too long be the show was abruptly canceled. This show however helped establish La Cava in the mind of casting directors as a waiter or a croupier.
By the mid-1960s through 1973 he used the character that he developed to maintain steady employment in dramas that were usually filmed at Desi-Lu. He retired in 1973 at the age of 65 but to supplement his income, he would be given a few roles by his friends doing the types of roles he always did. He eventually retired completely and left a body of work that spanned through virtually every phase of Hollywood's golden era of movies and television shows. - Gianni Rizzo was born on 5 April 1924 in Brindisi, Puglia, Italy. He was an actor, known for The Name of the Rose (1986), Zorro and the Three Musketeers (1963) and The Ten Gladiators (1963). He died on 4 February 1992 in Rome, Lazio, Italy.
- Salah Qabil was born on 27 June 1937 in Egypt. He was an actor, known for Batal men Waraq (1988), Nahr el hayat (1964) and Circle of Revenge (1976). He was married to Wedad Hamdy. He died on 4 February 1992 in Cairo, Egypt.
- Fred Finger was born on 26 December 1948. He died on 4 February 1992.
- Composer
- Music Department
- Sound Department
Vittorio Gelmetti was born on 25 April 1926 in Milan, Lombardy, Italy. He was a composer, known for Under the Sign of Scorpio (1969), Red Desert (1964) and Attraction (1969). He died on 4 February 1992 in Florence, Tuscany, Italy.- Ned Locke was born on 25 December 1919 in Red Wing, Minnesota, USA. He was an actor, known for Big Top (1965) and Bozo's Circus (1961). He died on 4 February 1992 in Kimberling City, Missouri, USA.
- Ethel Pepperell was born on 17 February 1898 in Saltash, Cornwall, England, UK. She was an actress, known for The Midnight Burglar (1918), Miss Mischief Maker (1918) and Little Miss Grown-Up (1918). She died on 4 February 1992 in Alameda, California, USA.
- Writer
- Location Management
Laura Greenwood was born on 26 December 1953 in Alhambra, California, USA. Laura was a writer, known for Longshot (1981). Laura was married to Barry Rosen. Laura died on 4 February 1992 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Hans Habietinek was born on 10 May 1906. He was an actor, known for Der Kurier der Kaiserin (1970), Die Försterchristel (1962) and Waldrausch (1962). He died on 4 February 1992 in Austria.