In memoriam

Ben Starr

Remembering Ben Starr

Mon, 01/20/2014 We're sad to hear that writer/producer Ben Starr passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2014 from congestive heart failure at his home in Los Angeles, California. He was 92. Starr wrote that brilliant episode of The Brady Bunch in which "Peter Brady" states in his best Bogart impression what the gang will eat for dinner that evening: "pork chops and applesauce." Starr also came up with "Arnold Jackson's" familiar catchphrase, "Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" on Diff'rent Strokes (the line was...

Russell Johnson

Remembering Russell Johnson

Thu, 01/16/2014 We're sad to hear of the passing of actor Russell Johnson , who died this morning of kidney failure at his home in Washington state. Johnson was 89. He was best known for playing "The Professor" on Gilligan's Island , the genius who could somehow create impressive machinery from nothing but coconuts and twine. Johnson trained at the Actors Lab in Hollywood and guest-starred on many a series ( You Are There , The Twilight Zone , and The Outer Limits ) before his Gilligan's Island success. He...

Ben Wolf

Remembering Ben Wolf

Mon, 01/06/2014 We're sad to hear of the passing of cinematographer Ben Wolf , who died on Friday, November 8, 2013 at the age of 92. Wolf started his career as a cameraman on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show , The Ed Sullivan Show , Carson's Cellar , and Climax! . He also worked on classic programs The Jack Benny Show , The Red Skelton Show , The Judy Garland Show , CBS Playhouse , and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour . Additionally, Wolf served as a cameraman/cinematographer for several Norman Lear-...

Hal Needham

Remembering Hal Needham

Fri, 10/25/2013 We're sad to hear of the passing of stuntman Hal Needham , who died this morning at the age of 82. Needham worked on several Western series, including Have Gun, Will Travel (doubling star Richard Boone), Rawhide , The Virginian , and The Wild, Wild West . He also doubled for Burt Reynolds throughout most of Reynolds' career (including on Riverboat and on several feature films). Additionally, Needham served as a stunt coordinator and a director, and helped design and develop the Shotmaker Elite...

Ray Dolby

Remembering Ray Dolby

Fri, 09/13/2013 We're sad to hear of the passing of sound pioneer Ray Dolby , who died Thursday, September 12, 2013 in San Francisco at the age of 80. Dolby was diagnosed with acute leukemia last July and had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for the past several years. Ray Dolby was THE Dolby of Dolby noise reduction and Dolby digital surround sound. He began his career working on audio and video tape recorders for Ampex -- his adjustments to the company's video tape recorder (resulting in ten patents...

Charles Lisanby

Remembering Charles Lisanby

Wed, 08/28/2013 The Archive is sad to hear of the passing of Production Designer Charles Lisanby , who died Friday, August 23, 2013 at the age of 89. Lisanby worked on The $64,000 Challenge and the cultural series Camera Three , designed sets for The Garry Moore Show , and is known for his signature large block lettering - he's responsible for Robert Indiana's "LOVE" on Kraft Music Hall and the word "SMILE" as a backdrop to the Candid Camera set. He pioneered the use of lights on the risers of steps and the...

James L. Loper

Remembering James L. Loper

Wed, 07/10/2013 We're sad to hear of the passing of executive James L. Loper , who died on Monday, July 8, 2013 at the age of 81. Loper rose through the ranks of public television, serving as President and CEO of KCET through 1982. He also served as Executive Director of The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences from 1984 to 1999, setting in place many of the systems that remain in operation at the Academy today (including the addition of FOX to the rotation of networks airing The Emmy Awards). During his...

Richard Matheson

Remembering Richard Matheson

Mon, 06/24/2013 We're just learning of more sad news today, writer Richard Matheson passed away yesterady at the age of 87. Matheson wrote the memorable Twilight Zone episode, "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet," among many others, wrote for Star Trek and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour , and penned the novel I Am Legend and the screenplay of "Duel." Below are some excerpts from his 2002 Archive interview: On the idea for The Twilight Zon e episode "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet": I was on an airplane and I looked out and there...

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Remembering Gary David Goldberg

Mon, 06/24/2013 Writer/show creator Gary David Goldberg succumbed to brain cancer yesterday, June 23, 2013, at the age of 68. Goldberg created the hit '80s sitcom Family Ties , Brooklyn Bridge (an homage to his childhood), and co-created Spin City with Bill Lawrence. He also wrote for The Bob Newhart Show and The Tony Randall Show , and produced the feature films "Dad" and "Must Love Dogs." Below are some excerpts from his 2007 Archive Interview: On meeting his wife, Diana: When Diana and I met in 1969, I was...

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Remembering James Gandolfini

Thu, 06/20/2013 We're saddened by the news of actor James Gandolfini's death yesterday at the age of 51. Though we didn't have the chance to interview him and get his own stories of the shows and films on which he worked, we have been fortunate to conduct interviews with several of his colleagues. The Sopranos creator David Chase and regular director Timothy Van Patten both had kind remarks about the man who brought "Tony Soprano" to life: David Chase on what Gandolfini brought to the role of "Tony Soprano":...