REMEMBRANCES OF ENTERTAINMENT FIGURES WHO HAVE PASSED.
Character Actor RONNIE SCHELL
1931-1964
Ronnie Schell, the prolific character actor best known for his role as Pvt. Duke Slater on the 1960s sitcom Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., has passed away at the age of 94.
Born December 23, 1931, in Richmond, California, Schell began his journey in entertainment not as an actor, but as a stand-up comic. He developed his routine in San Francisco’s famed nightclub circuit, performing at venues such as the Purple Onion and the Hungry I, where he honed a laid-back, self-deprecating style that would define his career.
Before breaking into show business, Schell served in the U.S. Air Force, where he first performed in variety shows, blending humor with emcee work. His early stand-up success led to touring opportunities, including a stint opening for the popular folk group The Kingston Trio, helping him gain wider exposure.
Schell’s big break came in 1964 when he was cast as Duke Slater on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., a hit CBS comedy and spin-off of The Andy Griffith Show. In the role, Schell played the streetwise best friend and bunkmate to Jim Nabors’ famously naïve Gomer Pyle. He appeared in 92 episodes across the series’ five-season run, becoming a familiar face to millions of viewers during the show’s peak popularity.
At the height of the show’s success, Schell stepped away briefly to star in his own sitcom, Good Morning, World (1967–1968), playing a radio disc jockey. Though the series lasted only one season, it marked his attempt to transition into a leading role. After its cancellation, he returned to Gomer Pyle for the show’s final season, illustrating his continued value in supporting roles.
Throughout the following decades, Schell became a quintessential television character actor, appearing in a wide array of popular series. His credits included recurring or guest roles on That Girl, The Andy Griffith Show, Happy Days, Sanford and Son, Charlie’s Angels, Mork & Mindy, and The Love Boat, among many others. He continued working steadily into the 1980s and beyond, with appearances on shows such as The Golden Girls, Saved by the Bell, and Coach. Altogether, Schell amassed nearly 150 television and film credits, a testament to his longevity and versatility.
In addition to television, Schell maintained a consistent presence in film, particularly in family-friendly projects. He appeared in several Disney productions, including The Strongest Man in the World, The Shaggy D.A., Gus, and The Cat from Outer Space, in which he also provided voice work.
Schell’s versatility extended to voice acting, where he contributed to a variety of animated series and films. He voiced characters in projects such as Battle of the Planets, The Smurfs, DuckTales, and Rugrats, and was widely recognized as the voice of Peter Puck, a character used to explain hockey rules to television audiences.
Despite never reaching leading-man status, Schell’s steady career made him a recognizable presence across multiple generations of television viewers. Known for his easygoing demeanor and comic timing, he embodied the working actor who could elevate scenes in both small and substantial roles. He even embraced the tongue-in-cheek nickname “America’s Slowest Rising Comedian,” reflecting his gradual but enduring ascent in the entertainment industry.
Thanks and R.I.P. to the quintessential 2nd banana.
Karl Malden
1912-2009
Born into a Czech family on March 22, 1912 as Mladen Sekulovich, Karl Malden was a mark of quality in whatever project he appeared in.
He was featured in 72 Films/TV shows and was nominated 2x for an Oscar - both times when he played opposite Marlon Brandon. First in ON THE WATERFRONT and next in his Oscar winning role as Mitch in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE.
Other notable roles include: Omar Bradley in PATTON, Zebulon Prescott in the epic HOW THE WEST WAS WON and Herbie Sommers opposite Rosalind Russell in GYPSY.
On television, Malden would play straight-laced Police Detective Lt. Mike Stone for 5 seasons on THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO (nominated 4x for the Lead Actor in a Drama Series emmy). He would WIN an Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Limited Series, playing Freddy Kassab who spends 9 years trying to prove his Son-In-Law killed his daughter in FATAL VISION.
Even more famously, he was world-renowned as the trench-coated pitchman for American Express Travelers Checks and the famous catchphrase "Don't Leave Home Without It".
Malden died at age 97 of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles on July 1, 2009. He was buried at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Westwood, California.
BOB NEWHART
(1929 - 2024)
The "Button-Down Mind" has been silenced.
Comedian and Actor Bob Newhart, noted for his deadpan delivery, has passed away at the age of 94.
Born on Sept 25, 1929 in Oak Park, Illinois, graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Business Management degree and was drafted into the Army where he served until 1954.
After several aborted attempts at a Business job, Newhart landed as an advertising copywriter for Fred A. Niles, a major independent film and television producer in Chicago.
At was there where he and a co-worker would entertain each other with long phone calls about absurd situations - a routine that would become his staple when his comedy album THE BUTTONED DOWN MIND OF BOB NEWHART became the first comedy album to become #1 on the Billboard charts. It would go on to win two Grammy Awards, Album of the Year and Best New Artist.
And, thus, a comedy legend was born.
Newhart would be a staple on Variety shows such as The Dean Martin Show, The Judy Garland Show, The Ed Sullivan show and the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour as well as appearing in films such as the WWII flick HELL IS FOR HEROES (where he does his phone bit to confuse the Germans), CATCH-22 and COLD TURKEY.
Soon after his appearance on the Smothers Brothers Show, Newhart would star in his own hit sitcom THE BOB NEWHART SHOW about Chicago psychologist Bob Hartley and his wife Emily (Suzanne Pleshette). This show would run from 1972-1978, but would be passed over for Emmy's in favor of the "splashier" ALL IN THE FAMILY, THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW and M*A*S*H.
Newhart would voice the character of Bernard in the 1977 Disney Animated Film THE RESCUERS and would reprise his role in the 1990 Disney Animated Film THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER.
In 1982, Newhart would return to situation comedy television. starring in NEWHART where he would play an innkeeper in a small town in Vermont. Bob would be nominated for 3 Emmy's for Lead Actor in a Situation Comedy, but would not win. Famously, this sitcom's final scene is widely regarded as the best final scene in televsion series in history as Bob is knocked unconscious and wakes up in bed with Suzanne Pleschette.
After his 2nd hit sitcom ended, Newhart would pop up in character roles in such films as ELF, IN & OUT and HORRIBLE BOSSES,would reprise his role as Dr. Robert Hartley in an episode of MURPHY BROWN and would take a dramatic turn in a 2003 arc on the hit televsion series ER.
He also would become, "Bob Newhart, Action Star" in the comedy/adventure film THE LIBRARIAN: RETURN TO KING SOLOMON'S MINES as well as the sequel THE LIBRARIAN: CURSE OF THE JUDAS CHALICE in 2006 and 2008.
In 2013, Newhart would appeared in an Episode of the 6th Season of the BIG BANG THEORY for which he would win his only Primetime Emmy.
He would reprise this role 5 more times in BIG BANG THEORY as well as 3 Episodes of the prequel series YOUNG SHELDON (which would turn out to be his last film appearance).
Newhart would remain a working stand-up comedian well into his '90's. I saw him perform his routine live at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis a few years ago - and he still had his fastball.
Thank you, Mr. Newhart, for your years of sophisticated entertainment.
You may hang up the phone now.
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Keye Luke
1934-1991
A native of Guangzhou, China, Keye Luke was the first Chinese-American actor signed by RKO, Universal and MGM and was the most prominent Chinese actor working in his day.
Before becoming an actor, he was an artist and worked on several of the murals inside Grauman's Chinese Theatre and also worked on some of the original artwork for the pressbook of the original King Kong (1933).
In 1935, Luke was cast as Charlie Chan's #1 Son in CHARLIE CHAN IN PARIS - a role he would play 9 times. He appeared as the Elder Son in the Oscar winning THE GOOD EARTH and was Kato in the GREEN HORNET serials in the 1940s.
In the 1950s, Luke had a featured Broadway role in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Flower Drum Song, directed by Gene Kelly in 1958
TV audiences would know Luke as Master PO in KUNG FU in the 1970's and also appeared in the GREMLINS movies in the 1980's as the mysterious
He was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Asian/Pacific American Artists and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Luke passed from a stroke on January 12, 1991 at the age of 86.
JOSEPH CAMPANELLA
November 1, 1924 - May 16, 2018
Veteran character actor who appeared in more than 200 TV and film roles over his 50 year career.
Best known for appearing across 5 seasons of the Detective Show MANNIX, Campanella was also featured in ONE DAY AT A TIME as well as MARCUS WELBY and THE COLBY'S.
