Dinah Manoff leads off today’s list of classic tv stars celebrating a birthday. The now-58-year-old starred in the 1970’s comedy Soap, then later played one of the daughters on the sitcom Empty Nest. Manoff is the daughter of actress Lee Grant and the late screenwriter Arnold Manoff. He penned episodes of classic TV shows The Defenders, Naked City and Route 66.

Other January 25 birthdays: Leigh Taylor-Young (Peyton Place) is 68, Gregory Sierra (Barney Miller, Sanford & Son) is 73 and Dean Jones is 83. The Disney movie star (Herbie The Love Bug, That Darn Cat!) starred in several short-lived sitcoms in the 60s and 70s (Ensign O’Toole, The Chicago Teddy Bears).

Classic TV stars born this day but since passed: Ernie Harwell (legendary Detroit Tigers broadcaster), NBC newsman Edwin Newman and Sally Starr (popular children’s TV host in Philadelphia).

Diana Hyland was also born on January 25. She had major roles in 1960s series’ Peyton Place and Young Doctor Malone, later playing the original wife/mom on the family drama Eight Is Enough. Sadly, she only appeared in the first 4 episodes and passed away at age 41.

Character actor Christopher Allport died on this day. He was a regular on the daytime drama Another World and guested on shows including Harry O and M*A*S*H.

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