2006 continued

Boyd Magers' "Western Clippings" reports that Keith Larsen, who starred in television's "Brave Eagle", "Northwest Passage", and "The Aquanauts", died on December 13, 2006, in Santa Barbara, California, at age 82. Larsen also starred in the science fiction films "Women of the Prehistoric Planet" and "The Omegans", and wrote, directed and starred in the off-beat horror film "Night of the Witches".

BOBBY DOYLE-66-was a member of The Shades who did “You Cheated” (it was later covered by The Shields). He later replaced David Clayton Thomas as lead singer in Blood Sweat & Tears (Thomas came back later on). He died (of lung cancer) July 30 2006 at the age of 66.

ROBERT SCHAEFER-wrote for many TV shows including THE ADVENTURES OF WILD BILL HICKOK, LASSIE and THE LONE RANGER. He died Dec. 30th at age 80.

LOIS HALL-was a actress who appeared in movies starting in 1948 with EVERY GIRL SHOULD MARRY (with Cary Grant). Other roles were in LOVE HAPPY (The Marx Brothers’ “last” movie), MY BLUE HEAVEN, CARRIE, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS and many Westerns. She also appeared in several serials and on TV. She fell ill while working on David Fincher’s new movie THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON and died on Dec. 21st at the age of 80.

DON FERRIS-was a pianist and conductor who work with Dean Martin, Ozzie Nelson, Red Skelton, David Rose and Bob Hope. He wrote the song “You’re My Living Doll” that was used in Bert I. Gordon’s ATTACK OF THE PUPPET PEOPLE. He died Dec. 21st at the age of 86.

FRANK CAMPANELLA-6’5” character actor was seen in over 100 movies and dozens of TV shows. Movies he appeared in include: DICK TRACY (Warren Beatty version), OVERBOARD, PRETTY WOMAN, BEACHES and THE FLAMINGO KID. He was the older brother of actor Joe Campanella. His first acting role was as the villain Mook The Moon Man on an episode of CAPTAIN VIDEO AND HIS VIDEO RANGERS in 1949! Born in NYC, Campanella died Dec. 30 at age 87.

SNEAKY PETE KLEINOW-was a well-known steel guitar player in the rock band The Flying Burrito Brothers as well as a busy session musical in the 1970’s. He also found time to do special effects and stop motion animation for TV (GUMBY & FRIENDS, THE OUTER LIMITS) and movies (THE SEVEN FACES OF DR. LAO, THE BROTHERS GRIMM). He died Jan. 6th of Alzheimer’s.

A.I. “BUZZ” BEZZERIDES-was a novelist and screenwriter. His book “The Long Haul” was made into the movie “They Drive By Night” starring George Raft, Humphrey Bogart and Ida Lupino. He wrote several movies including JUKE GIRL that featured future president Ronald Reagan as a trucker. He also created the TV western THE BIG VALLEY.

YVONNE DeCARLO-Hollywood scarlet who became known to a whole new audience in the 1960’s when she portrayed Lily Munster, wife to Herman on the TV horror comedy THE MUNSTERS for two seasons. She repeated her role in the feature length MUNSTER GO HOME in 1966 and again in a TV reunion THE MUNSTERS REVENGE in 1981. She was one of the stars of the Tony winning Broadway musical FOLLIES in 1971. Unfortunately her later post-Munsters movies weren’t as successful. She gained fame in Hollywood for her starring role in the now cult film SALOME-WHERE SHE DANCED in 1945 after several bit roles. Others movies that followed included: SONG OF SCHEHERAZADE, SLAVE GIRL, DESERT HAWK, FRONTIER GAL, BLACK BART, RIVER LADY, McCLINTOCK, THE POWER, SILENT SCREAM and AMERICAN GOTHIC. Originally from Canada and born Peggy Yvonne Middleton, DeCarlo (who claimed in a 1987 autobiography to have had affairs with Howard Hughes, Burt Lancaster, Robert Stack, Robert Taylor & Billy Wilder) died Jan. 10th at age 84 in LA.

E. HOWARD HUNT-Former CIA agent who masterminded the failed Watergate break-in that eventually brought about President Richard Nixon’s resignation died Jan. 14th at age 88. In a book to be published in April he says Lyndon Johnson was behind the assassination of JFK in 1963. Many people believe Hunt himself had a hand in it.

ALICE COLTRANE-was a Jazz pianist for nearly 40 years who died Jan. 12th at age 69. She was the widow of legendary sax player John Coltrane (who died in 1967).

RAY DANNIS-was the star of the 1966 horror-comedy THE UNDERTAKER AND HIS PALS. He was also in TV Mikels’ THE CORPSE GRINDERS, AGENT FROM H.A.R.M., THE CHAPMAN REPORT, THE BLACK KLANSMAN (also by Mikels), 3 NUTS IN SEARCH OF A BOLT and THE SEVERED ARM. He died Dec. 28th at age 85.

SCOTT “BAM-BAM” BIGELOW-was a professional wrestler for around 20 years. He worked for the major promotions like WWF, NWA, WCW and ECW as well as many independents. Known for the tattoo flames on his shaved head, Bigelow once “feuded” with pro footballer Lawrence Taylor and the two fought each other on a Wrestlemania Pay Per View event in 1995. Bigelow, who was diabetic, died Jan. 19th at age 45. The cause of death was pending at the time of this writing.