Rest in Peace, Marvin Kaplan

Marvin Kaplan, best known for playing Henry, the phone company worker who frequented Mel's Diner on the sitcom Alice and for voicing "Choo-Choo" in the Hanna Barbera classic cartoon series Top Cat, has passed away at age 89.

Mr. Kaplan got his start in show business in the late 1940's, taking a small role in the movie Adam's Rib. His most high profile role was in the film It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World after which he turned primarily to television roles, guest starring on such shows as Petticoat Junction. His biggest role was on Alice, however, a part he held for the entire run of the series.

After Alice, he took mostly voice over work, his most recent role being in 2011's The Garfield Show.

Rest in Peace, Steven Hill

Steven Hill, who spent ten years as the District Attorney on Law & Order has passed away at age 94.

Mr. Hill began his career on Broadway alongside Marlon Brando. Many of their contemporaries considered Steven to be the better actor. Steven, however, took time off to serve in the armed forces. Even when he was acting, he chose roles that had a societal component to them, which often weren't considered commercial enough.

Despite his talent, Steven seemed to toil away in smaller roles, gaining a following on Broadway, but not in Hollywood. Despite having worked for decades, Mr. Hill would only find a larger audience in 1990 when he began a decade long run as Law & Order's District Attorney Adam Schiff, who navigated the political landscape of New York City to ensure that justice was done. He retired in 2000, outliving his successor who passed away last year.

#RIPWoodrow

Dearest Edna, I must leave you. Why, I cannot say. Where, you cannot know. How I will get there, I haven't decided yet. But one thing I can tell you, any time I hear the wind blow it will whisper the name Edna. And so let us part with a love that will echo through the ages.

-Woodrow

Rest in Peace, Nicholas Smith

Nicholas Smith, the last living major Are You Being Served? castmember has passed away at age 81.

Mr. Smith, who played the clueless Mr. Rumbold, was encouraged at an early age to pursue his dream of acting. He successfully earned roles on stage and various non-speaking roles on television. His big break came when he convinced the producers of Doctor Who to make his minor role on the show one season into a major one. This led to other fantasy/Sci-Fi type roles. His biggest role, however, would be as Cuthbert Rumbold, the hapless senior manager on AYBS?

Mr. Smith continued to act and enjoyed meeting his many fans. He is the last of the Grace Brothers staff to pass away, leaving behind a hilarious legacy. He and his fellow cast mates are no doubt enjoying a tea break in the canteen in the sky. Thank you for the laughs, Mr. Smith and rest in peace.

Rest in Peace, David Canary

Television legend David Canary has passed away at age 77. Best known for his legendary role on All My Children as ruthless businessman Adam Chandler, Mr. Canary had previously earned a spot in television history on Bonanza.

Playing a foreman named Candy who worked on the Ponderosa Ranch, Mr. Canary served two stints on the classic show, leaving after a salary dispute, but returning for the final seasons. His biggest role would come in 1983 on All My Children. His dual role as twins Adam and Stuart Chandler won him five Emmys and many new fans.

Mr. Canary retired in 2009, but returned to All My Children in 2011 and 2013 for short stints. He is survived by his wife of over 30 years and three children.

Rest in Peace, Al Molinaro

Al Molinaro, best known as "Al", the portly owner of Arnold's Restaurant in Happy Days, has passed away at age 96.

Mr. Molinaro was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He moved to California in the 1950's, starting up a collection agency which he sold at a huge profit. His subsequent investments in real estate made him financially secure enough to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. This led to guest starring roles in shows like Green Acres and That Girl. He struck up a friendship with Penny Marshall, who recommended him to her brother, Garry, who was the biggest sitcom producer at the time. This led to a recurring role on The Odd Couple as Officer Murray. His biggest break would come in 1975 when Pat Morita left Happy Days. Arnold's Restaurant needed a new owner and it found one in the hapless Al, who always seemed to be a step behind the teens who congregated in his restaurant.

After his departure from the world of Happy Days, Al worked sparingly, turning down offers to work on various Garry Marshall films because he was uncomfortable with the use of profanity in films. He officially retired from acting in 1992.

Happy Batman Day!

"If Robin and I were to remove our masks, the secret of our true identities will be revealed."

Happy Batman Day!

"Keep moving, ginger!"

Rest in Peace, Martin Milner

Martin Milner, star of the classic television series Route 66 and Adam-12 has passed away at age 83.

Mr. Milner started his career in the 1950's, beginning with bit parts on shows like The Lone Ranger and Dragnet. He made friends with Dragnet's Jack Webb, who found parts for him. It wasn't until 1960 that he would get his big break- Route 66. The classic road trip drama made him a household name and led to movie roles in films, the highest profile of which was Valley of the Dolls. He would rejoin his mentor Jack Webb on his second classic show, the police drama Adam-12, which was produced by Mr. Webb. His role as a tough but honest cop would cement his place in television history.

Over the years, Martin would appear in guest stints on various shows. He concluded his career with a stint on Diagnosis Murder in 1997.

Rest in Peace, Bud Yorkin

Bud Yorkin, who partnered with Norman Lear to produce some of the biggest sitcom hits of the 1970's, has passed away at age 89.

Mr. Yorkin began his career at NBC in the 1950's, producing variety shows, but it was his partnership with Norman Lear that would bring him his biggest success. Together they produced All in the Family, Sanford and Son, Maude, Good Times and many other shows.

He eventually left the company he founded with Mr. Lear and found success in his new venture, producing What's Happening and Carter Country. Mr. Yorkin's shows provided hours of laughs and entertainment for millions who grew up around and lived through the 1970's.

Rest in Peace, Yvonne Craig

Yvonne Craig, who got her start in show business as a ballet dancer, has passed away at age 78. 

Ms. Craig would eventually transition to television, where she received guest starring roles on various classic television shows of the 1950's and 1960's like Perry Mason, Dobie Gillis and Star Trek.

It was her role as Barbara Gordon in Batman that would earn her a spot in television history. As the crime fighting Batgirl, she joined Batman and Robin in helping her clueless father fight Gotham City's infamous villains. 

With the recent release of the Batman series on DVD, Ms. Craig has been discovered by a newer generation, cementing her legacy for generations to come.

Rest in Peace, Alex Rocco

Veteran character actor Alex Rocco has passed away at age 79. Mr. Rocco played a variety of roles in both film and television and is probably best known for his role in arguably the greatest film of all time- The Godfather. Mr. Rocco played the casino boss Moe Greene who eventually gets taken out by a bullet that gets shot through his glasses.

It was on television, however, where Mr. Rocco found the bulk of his work. Cast as characters who were typically fast talking and possibly con artists, Alex found consistent work throughout the 1970's on virtually every cop show on the air, including Barnaby Jones, Baretta, Rockford Files and many others. No matter the role, he always stuck out, becoming a 'that guy' who people enjoyed watching even if they couldn't remember his name.

His prolific catalog of work continued through the 1980's. On the Facts of Life, he played Jo's father, who often caused problems for her as she tried to distance herself from her rough and tumble past.

Currently, Alex Rocco provided the voice of Roger Myers, Jr. Heir to the Itchy and Scratchy empire on The Simpsons. His father created the violent cat and mouse team and left the business to his son, who manages both the business and creative sides of the company. A caricature of self involved producers, the character was excellently performed by Mr. Rocco.

Thank you, Mr. Rocco, for providing the world with hours of entertainment. Certainly future generations will be enjoying your work for years to come.

Rest in Peace, Dick Van Patten

Rest in Peace, Ben Powers

Alton "Ben" Powers, who was best known for his role as Thelma Evans' husband during the final season of Good Times has passed away at age 64.

Mr. Powers was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in  Providence, Rhode Island. His first public performances were at church, where he sang in the choir. He headed for Hollywood to follow his acting dreams and got a role on a short lived Laugh-In revival.

It was his role as the down on his luck Keith Anderson that proved to be his big break. While he starred in a variety of roles in the years following Good Times, none were as high profile. He quietly retired from acting thirty years ago and had not starred in anything since.

Rest in Peace, Leonard Nimoy

"The miracle is this; the more we share, the more we have."

-Leonard Nimoy

Rest in Peace, "Uncle Bud" Paxson

Lowell "Uncle Bud" Paxson, founder of the Home Shopping Network passed away last week at the age of 79.

While television had been used to sell merchandise in the past, prior to HSN's debut, no television network was solely devoted to it. Soon the network would become a mainstay of television, offering Capodimonte figurines and cubic zirconia jewelry at low, low prices.

Mr. Paxson eventually sold HSN and started up the PAX Network, which was purchased by Universal Studios and became ION Television.

Rest in Peace, Edward Herrmann

Edward Herrmann, well known movie and television actor has passed away at age 71. Perhaps best known recently from his role on the WB show Gilmore Girls, Mr. Herrmann had an extensive television and film resume. Often cast as the stuffy, east coast snobbish type, Mr. Herrmann guest starred in hundreds of television shows through the years and lent his voice to countless historical documentaries.

His most frequent role was as U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a part he played in two television movies and in the original film version of Annie. 

Mr. Herrmann leaves behind a wife, three children and legions of fans.

Rest in Peace, Christine Cavanaugh

Christine Cavanaugh has passed away at age 51. You may not recognize her name or face, but you've probably heard her voice.

While Ms. Cavanaugh did a ton of guest starring roles throughout the 90's, she is best known for her voice-over work, both in the movies and on television. Her resume is a who's who of 1990's cartoons, including Ahh, Real Monsters!, Dexter's Laboratory and Disney's Darkwing Duck among so many others. Ms. Cavanaugh also voiced Babe the Talking Pig on the big screen.

It was her voice-over work for Rugrats that has endeared her to millions and cemented her legacy. As the voice of scaredy cat Chuckie Finster, Ms. Cavanaugh brought to life a fully dimensional character who leapt out of our televisions and into our hearts. While we may have lost a talented voice, we can rest assured that her work will live on in perpetuity.

Rest in Peace, Ken Weatherwax

Ken Weatherwax, known to millions of his fans as Pugsley, the devilish son of Gomez and Morticia Addams, has passed away at age 59.

Mr. Weatherwax wasn't able to find much work in Hollywood after The Addams Family went off the air, but his memorable role in a television classic has kept his face on television screens for decades.

Rest in Peace: Elizabeth Pena

Elizabeth Pena has passed away at the young age of 55. Ms. Pena became famous after starring in the film La Bamba which was one of the first major Hollywood films with a full Latino cast. She quickly found other roles, such as that of the maid "Dora" in I Married Dora, alongside future star Juliette Lewis.

Eager to leave her maid roles behind, Ms. Pena soon took on television roles in which she played judges, detectives and eventually even criminal figures running cartels. A far cry from her previous parts.

Recently Ms. Pena has guest starred on Modern Family and even NCIS as a tough as nails detective. Suffering from an undisclosed illness, Elizabeth has passed away far too young. She will certainly be remembered as a role model for Latina actresses.