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1-25 of 25
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Missouri born-and-bred Betty Ann Lynn was born in Kansas City. Her name is as light, breezy and innocent as the characters she played on film and TV. She is pleasantly remembered for playing TV's sweet-as-apple-pie "Thelma Lou," who had the tough end of the bargain as the ever-patient girlfriend of Don Knotts's neurotic "Barney Fife" character on The Andy Griffith Show (1960). It took a second reunion decades later to finally get those two characters married. While Betty enjoyed other entertainment outlets such as film and the stage, it is her "Thelma Lou" character that remains indelibly etched in the minds of all her fans.
Betty came from a musical background as the daughter of a singer and began her career as a young teen performing in both supper clubs and on Broadway; in such musical productions as "Walk with Music" (1940) and "Oklahoma!," the latter as a dancing replacement. She even entertained the troops with her light soprano at USO tent shows towards the end of World War II. In the late 1940s, after being "discovered" in the short-lived Broadway production of "Park Avenue," the fresh-faced Betty was signed on as a starlet for Twentieth Century Fox and appeared in several of their popular movies, billed herself briefly as "Betty Ann Lynn" before abruptly dropping her middle name from the credits.
Betty made her movie debut in a small, sprightly role in the classic Clifton Webb comedy Sitting Pretty (1948). After another minor part in Apartment for Peggy (1948), she earned a featured part playing kid sister to Barbara Bates in June Bride (1948) starring Bette Davis and Robert Montgomery. She continued the momentum, all in a same airy vein, as the bobby-soxer daughter of stars Loretta Young in Mother Is a Freshman (1949) and Fred MacMurray and Maureen O'Hara in Father Was a Fullback (1949). After appearing again in pictures starring Clifton Webb and Bette Davis (Cheaper by the Dozen (1950) and Payment on Demand (1951), respectively), her blossoming film career lost major ground. Betty instead focused on 50s TV and also returned to the stage with a production of "The Moon Is Blue" (1954). She still appeared occasionally on the larger screen but, for the most part, was either unbilled or the pictures themselves were obscure. While on hiatus from the Disney series, "Texas John Slaughter" (1959), Betty tested and won the recurring role of Deputy Barney Fife's steady girl on Andy Griffith's homespun series. She became part of the small-town ensemble for five seasons -- until Knotts officially left the series to try out, full-time, in motion pictures. The producers were thinking of keeping her on the show but Betty felt her role was incomplete, without her connection to Don Knotts, after Barney Fife left.
TV work continued, never straying far from her wholesome image, with recurring roles on Family Affair (1966) and My Three Sons (1960) and guest parts on The Farmer's Daughter (1963), The Smith Family (1971) and Little House on the Prairie (1974). After a 1978 part on an episode of Barnaby Jones (1973), little was seen of her until she rejoined the Mayberry cast for a reunion in the TV movie Return to Mayberry (1986). In the same year, Andy Griffith hired her to play his secretary in a handful of episodes for his Matlock (1986) series. Betty's last acting role on TV occurred in 1990 and, save for a stage appearance in "Love Letters" in 2002 opposite another former Mayberry resident Howard Morris, she officially left acting.
Residing in the same West Hollywood home since 1950, she moved out of state to Mount Airy, North Carolina - the primary real-life inspiration for the fictional Mayberry. The never-married former actress lived in a retirement community there till her death on October 16, 2021 at the age of 95.- Geoffrey Chater was a much in-demand character actor whose unforced poise and lightly worn haughtiness made him a natural for figures of privilege and authority - from a British consul in Brideshead Revisited and school chaplain in Lindsay Anderson's If... to doctors, military officers and peers of the realm. Those same qualities also lent him a formidable presence on stage.
His father a composer for dance bands, his mother the actor Gwendoline Gwynne, Chater was born in Barnet, north London. Aged eight, he saw his mother in Merton Hodge's comedy The Wind and the Rain at the now demolished Scala Theatre and decided to become an actor. After boarding at Marlborough College, he joined the army in 1940 while still in his teens and rose to the rank of captain, spending the war in India and Burma where he became involved in morale-boosting revues.
Returning home, Chater began his professional career with Windsor rep and made his West End debut in Bruce Walker's thriller Master Crook at the Comedy Theatre (now Harold Pinter Theatre) in 1952. He spent a season at London's Old Vic in 1954 and caught attention in Giles Cooper's acerbic contemporary comedy Everything in the Garden and Thomas Middleton's Jacobean tragedy Women Beware Women with Peter Hall's nascent Royal Shakespeare Company at the Arts Theatre in 1962.
At the Cambridge in 1965, he played Yslaev, husband to Ingrid Bergman's Natalie Petrovna, in Michael Redgrave's revival of A Month in the Country, and appeared as Lord Froth in The Double Dealer at London's Royal Court in 1969. There, he also appeared in NF Simpson's absurdist morality comedy Was He Anyone? (1972), Howard Brenton's still topical political drama Magnificence (1973), and as his second Polonius to Jonathan Pryce's Hamlet in 1980, having previously played the role opposite Ian McKellen for Prospect in 1971.
Chater's belated National Theatre debut came as Dr Bradman alongside Elizabeth Spriggs' Madame Arcati in Harold Pinter's 1976 revival of Blithe Spirit. He appeared as Dr Frobisher in The Browning Version at the King's Head Theatre the same year. In 1978, he returned to the RSC for David Mercer's political satire Cousin Vladimir at the Aldwych Theatre.
A constant presence on television for more than 50 years, his credits include appearances in, among many other television shows, Crying Down the Lane (1962), Callan (1967), Mapp & Lucia (1985), Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em (1973), Bognor (1981), Devenish (1977), Emergency-Ward 10 (1957), Mogul (1965), Tales of the Unexpected (1979), Nanny (1981), Play for Today (1970), Blott on the Landscape (1985), Rumpole of the Bailey (1978), One Foot in the Grave (1990), The Thin Blue Line (1995), The Cleopatras (1983), and Midsomer Murders (1997).
The very image of the Establishment, he played ministers, lawyers, bankers and doctors from the early 1950s until 2005. His film credits included impressive entries such as Gandhi (1982), Endless Night (1972), If.... (1968), Barry Lyndon (1975), and O Lucky Man! (1973), as well as such unlikely miscellany as Reg Varney's drag-act monstrosity, The Best Pair of Legs in the Business (1973).
Chater memorably played Christmas Humphreys, the QC who wrongly convicted Timothy Evans (played by John Hurt), absolving John Christie (Richard Attenborough) of murder, in 10 Rillington Place (1971).
Geoffrey Michael Chater Robinson was died on October 16 2021, aged 100. He was survived by his wife Jennifer Hill, their daughter and two sons. - Actress
- Additional Crew
Denise Bryer was born on 5 January 1928 in Kensington, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Return to Oz (1985), Labyrinth (1986) and Terrahawks (1983). She was married to Nicholas Parsons. She died on 16 October 2021 in the UK.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Felipe Cazals was born on 28 July 1937 in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. He was a director and writer, known for The Year of the Plague (1979), Las vueltas del citrillo (2005) and Canoa: A Shameful Memory (1976). He was married to Rosa Eugenia Báez de Cazals. He died on 16 October 2021 in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico.- Costume Designer
- Production Designer
Elisabeth Urbancic was born on 13 August 1925 in Vienna, Austria. She was a costume designer and production designer, known for Im Weissen Rössl (1952), Das Wirtshaus im Spessart (1958) and Schloß Gripsholm (1963). She was married to Johannes Waltz and Alexander Steinbrecher. She died on 16 October 2021 in Austria.- Music Department
- Actor
Ronnie Tutt was born on 12 March 1938 in Dallas, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for Neil Diamond: Under a Tennessee Moon (1996), Agent Elvis (2023) and Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970). He was married to Loretta Ann McCraney and Donna. He died on 16 October 2021 in Franklin, Tennessee, USA.- Actor
- Stunts
Paul Salata was born on 17 October 1926 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor, known for The Buccaneer (1958), Angels in the Outfield (1951) and Blueprint for Robbery (1961). He was married to Beverly and Carolyn. He died on 16 October 2021 in Newport Beach, California, USA.- Music Department
- Composer
- Soundtrack
In a long and distinguished career as a composer, Alan Hawkshaw has written the music for more than 35 films and countless television programmes including The Outsider, The Silent Witness, Dreams Lost Dreams Found, Magic Moments and the classic television themes for The New Statesman, Grange Hill, Channel Four News, the award-winning series Love Hurts and the famous theme for Countdown, the first program shown on Channel 4.
Before turning to a full-time career as a composer Alan was a member of the rock'n'roll group Emile Ford & The Checkmates who recorded several hits in the 60s. In the 70s, he joined The Shadows, while at the same time; he enjoyed working as Olivia Newton-John's Musical Director and arranger/pianist, and keyboard player for Cliff Richard. This resulted in being instrumental in a host of hits for artists such as Dusty Springfield, The Tremeloes, Barbra Streisand, Cliff Richard and Tom Jones.
You may not be familiar with Alan Hawkshaw but he has one of those names that you've read on countless album covers or single labels as arranger, writer or keyboard player and this is not surprising as Alan has played from 1960 onwards on approximately 7,000 recording sessions!
A busy and prolific composer Alan achieved the Ivor Novello award for the Best Film Score for The Silent Witness in 1979. He was also awarded Best Arrangement by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for Olivia Newton-John's 'I Honestly Love You'. Alan has enjoyed a fruitful association with the doyen of science fiction writers, Arthur C. Clarke composing for successive series of Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe. Alan was also involved with Clarke's new book, The Venus Legacy, and has composed a companion CD of the same name.
Alan has collaborated with many artists and writers over the years including Alan and Marylin Bergman, Don Black and Barry Mason. He is currently working again with Don Black, who wrote such notable hits as 'Diamonds Are Forever' and Born Free'.- Animation Department
- Art Department
- Production Designer
Lew Ott was born on 23 April 1927. He was a production designer, known for The Transformers: The Movie (1986), He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword (1985) and Charlotte's Web (1973). He was married to Sandy Benenati. He died on 16 October 2021 in Woodland Hills, California, USA.- Actor
- Stunts
- Additional Crew
Pat Studstill was born on 4 June 1938 in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. He was an actor, known for The Longest Yard (1974), The Incredible Hulk (1978) and Magnum, P.I. (1980). He was married to Sandra Ann Will Carradine, Barbara Jean Pickard and Rita Vennari. He died on 16 October 2021 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Sam Bogaerts was born on 7 July 1948 in Antwerpen, Flanders, Belgium. He was an actor, known for Zuidflank (2013), Galaxy Park (2011) and Steve + Sky (2004). He died on 16 October 2021 in Tournai, Doornik, Belgium.
- Claudia Galdy was an actress, known for Do It Like Michael Caine (2002), Bibi and Tina (2004) and Der schönste Grand Prix - mit den größten Hits aus 40 Jahren: Ein Abend für den Grand Prix (1998). She died on 16 October 2021 in Germany.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Director
Pertti Nättilä was born on 1 February 1934 in Viipuri, Finland. He was an actor and director, known for Rintamäkeläiset (1972), Heikki ja Kaija (1961) and Ukkonen (1964). He was married to Meeri Nättilä. He died on 16 October 2021 in Pirkkala, Finland.- Lito was born on 30 October 2000. He was an actor, known for Lito: Callin (2018), Lito feat. HBRFleezy: Never Change (2018) and Lito x GG Chevy: Bout Dat Action (2018). He died on 16 October 2021 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- Evelyne Kandech was born on 28 February 1984 in Pécs, Hungary. She was an actress, known for 100 Feet (2008), Screamers (2017) and Megasztár (2003). She died on 16 October 2021 in Pécs, Hungary.
- Ramoncito Rodriguez was born on 25 November 1938 in Mayaqüez, Puerto Rico. He was an actor, known for Yo sé que mentía (1982). He died on 16 October 2021 in Puerto Rico.
- Giampiero Giarri was born on 9 July 1989 in Tivoli, Lazio, Italy. He was an actor, known for Do You See Me? (2014). He died on 16 October 2021 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Bob Trimboli was born on 22 April 1931 in Stamford, Connecticut, USA. He was an actor, known for Deadtime Stories (1986), Underground (1988) and Farewell China (1990). He died on 16 October 2021 in Stamford, Connecticut, USA.
- Janet Michael was born on 17 April 1937. She was an actress, known for Extraordinary Visitor (1998), Violet (2000) and Take the High Road (1980). She died on 16 October 2021.
- Victoria Flores was born on 23 June 1982. She died on 16 October 2021 in Los Angeles County, California, USA.
- Hiroshi Ono died on 16 October 2021.
- Leo Boivin was born on 2 August 1932 in Prescott, Canada. He was an actor, known for 1966 Stanley Cup Finals (1966), NHL on CBS (1957) and 1961 NHL All-Star Game (1961). He was married to Patricia Kirkby. He died on 16 October 2021 in New Wexford, Prescott, Ontario, Canada.
- Big Homie FTD was born on 16 February 2000. He was an actor, known for BigHomie FTD & CypressT: My Gang (2020), Cypress T x BigHomie FTD: 2 Goats from the Dirt (2020) and True Kash x Big Homie FTD: Cream (2020). He died on 16 October 2021 in Valdosta, Georgia, USA.
- Achille Perilli was born on 28 January 1927 in Rome, Lazio, Italy. He died on 16 October 2021 in Orvieto, Umbria, Italy.
- Zeke Sevilla Jr. was born on 10 June 1931 in the Philippines. He died on 16 October 2021.