Pamelyn Ferdin leads off today’s classic TV star birthdays. The 55-year-old former child star was a regular on Blondie (1968 version), Lassie (1972), The Paul Lynde Show and Space Academy. Ferdin guested on many classic TV series of the 60s and 70s, including The Brady Bunch (she was in the memorable episode where Jan wore the black wig), Family Affair and The Odd Couple. She also did voice work on the movie Charlotte’s Web and several Peanuts cartoons.

Also marking birthdays February 4: John Shuck (McMillan & Wife, Holmes and Yo-Yo, later Law & Order SVU) turns 74, Gary Conway (Burke’s Law, Land of the Giants) is 78, comedian David Brenner (guested on The Tonight Show, starred in a show cancelled before it ever aired: 1976’s Snip) is 78 and Janet Waldo is 90. Waldo guested on classic shows like The Andy Griffith Show, I Love Lucy and Petticoat Junction but is best known for her cartoon work. You probably remember her as the voice of Judy Jetson and Josie of Josie & The Pussycats.

Classic TV stars born today but since passed include Canadian-born twin actors Conrad and Bonar Bain. Conrad starred on Maude and Diff’rent Strokes, while Bonar guested on Maude and SCTV Network. Songwriter-composer Ray Evans (and partner Jay Livingston) composed the theme songs for classic TV favorites like Bonanza, The Doris Day Show and Mister Ed. He is also credited with the Bugs Bunny theme “This Is It.” William Talman is remembered for his long-time role as D.A. Hamilton Burger on Perry Mason.

Also born this day was London-born actress-director Ida Lupino, pictured above. The former film actress starred with then-husband Howard Duff in a 1950s sitcom Mr. Adams and Eve, later guesting on numerous 60s and 70s shows like Batman, Columbo, Family Affair, Police Woman and Switch. Lupino also directed episodes of Gilligan’s Island, Have Gun Will Travel and Thriller.

Several classic TV favorites passed away February 4, including Liberace. The legendary pianist, known for his flamboyant costumes and trademark candelabra, hosted The Liberace Show and guested on shows like Batman, The Jack Benny Program and The Tonight Show. Ossie Davis guested on Bonanza and Night Gallery, later appearing on Evening Shade and Touched by An Angel. Davis was also the husband of actress Ruby Dee.

Others passing this day: singer-actress Barbara McNair (guested on Hogan’s Heroes, Mod Squad, Vega$) and George Nader. He starred on several late 1950s/early 60s shows (The Further Adventures of Ellery Queen, The Man and the Challenge, Shannon) and guested on Burke’s Law and The F.B.I.

Today’s birthday list starts off with Morgan Fairchild, who turns 64. The lovely blonde actress made appearances on such 1970s classics as The Bob Newhart Show, Kojak and Mork & Mindy. She was later in the cast of primetime soaps Falcon Crest, Flamingo Road and Paper Dolls.

Others celebrating birthdays today: Pamela Franklin (guested on Green Acres, Medical Center, The Six Million Dollar Man) turns 64, Stephen McHattie (appeared on Adam-12, Centennial, Kojak…later played Elaine’s controlling psychiatrist-boyfriend on Seinfeld) is 67, and Aussie actress-singer Trisha Noble is 70. Noble was a regular on the 1976 series Executive Suite and later appeared on Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and The Love Boat. One of her more memorable guest roles was on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, where she played a reporter trying to seduce Ted Baxter.

Also on the birthday list is 71-year-old Blythe Danner, who starred in 1973’s Adams Rib sitcom and guested on Columbo and M*A*S*H. Danner is the widow of producer Bruce Paltrow (St. Elsewhere, The White Shadow) and the mom of actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Bridget Hanley (Harper Valley PTA, Here Come The Brides) is 73 and Shelley Berman (Bewitched, Emergency!, The Twilight Zone and recently Curb Your Enthusiasm) is 88.

Classic TV stars born February 3 but no longer with us: singer-actor Russell Arms (Perry Mason, Your Hit Parade), Joey Bishop (The Joey Bishop Show, guest on The Tonight Show and numerous game shows), Victor Buono (King Tut on Batman, The Odd Couple, The Wild Wild West), Peggy Ann Garner (child star who later guested on Batman, Lou Grant, The Untouchables) and Robert Earl Jones. The father of actor James Earl Jones guest starred on shows like The Defenders, Kojak and Lou Grant. The elder Jones also worked on the big screen, appearing in The Sting and Trading Places.

John Fiedler was also born this day. You may not recognize the name, but his bespectacled face and distinctive voice are easily recognizable. He guested on TV classics The Odd Couple and The Twilight Zone, voiced characters in Disney movies and had recurring roles on The Bob Newhart Show (Mr. Peterson) and Kolchak: The Night Stalker.

A number of classic TV favorites passed away February 3, including producer Harry Ackerman (Bewitched, Dennis The Menace, Father Knows Best), actor-director John Cassavetes (starred in 1959 series Johnny Staccato, guested on Burke’s Law, Columbo, The Virginian…also starred in the movie The Dirty Dozen), Nancy Kulp (The Beverly Hillbillies, Sanford & Son), Al Lewis (Car 54 Where Are You?, The Munsters), Audrey Meadows (The Honeymooners) and Anna May Wong (guested on The Barbara Stanwyck Show, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp).

Ben Gazzara (pictured) also died on this day. The film, stage and TV actor-director starred in the 1960s dramas Arrest and Trial and Run For Your Life, later appearing in the 1974 TV miniseries QB VII. Gazzara also appeared in three 1970s era movies that were directed by the aforementioned John Cassavetes. Ironically, both men died on February 3.

Bo Hopkins leads off today’s birthday list. The veteran character actor appeared on such classic shows as Gunsmoke, Mod Squad, The Rat Patrol and The Rockford Files. Hopkins is 72.

Other birthdays: Tom Smothers (The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour) is 77, Robert Mandan (Soap) turns 82 and Elaine Stritch is 89. Stritch played Trixie in the pilot for The Honeymooners, then starred in 1960 sitcom My Sister Eileen. She later moved to the UK and starred in the 70s comedy Two’s Company. More recently she appeared on Law & Order and 30 Rock.

Classic TV stars born this day but since passed on include character actor Frank Albertson (guested on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Andy Griffith Show, Sugarfoot), Farrah Fawcett (Charlie’s Angels), actress-producer Bonita Granville (wife of Jack Wrather, producer of Lassie, The Lone Ranger, Sergeant Preston of the Yukon), Brit actor Geoffrey Hughes (UK soap Coronation Street, Onslow on Britcom Keeping Up Appearances) and Charles Correll.

Correll was the creator of the 1950s Amos ‘n Andy Show, having voiced the Andy character on radio. He also created and provided the voice of Calvin on the animated 1961-62 series Calvin and the Colonel. Correll’s son Richard followed in his father’s show biz footsteps, playing Beaver’s friend Richard on Leave It To Beaver before moving behind the camera. Richard Correll directed the sitcom Family Matters and currently works on the Scott Baio series See Dad Run on Nick at Nite.

Several classic TV stars passed away on February 2: legendary dancer-actor Gene Kelly (he actually starred in a short-lived 1962 TV series Going My Way, based on the Bing Crosby movie), actor-turned-lawyer John Kerr (12 O’Clock High, The Streets of San Francisco), Bert Parks (emcee of The Miss America Pageant from 1955-79), Barry Morse (The Fugitive, Space: 1999) and Donald Pleasence (The Outer Limits, The Twilight Zone, later appeared in the Halloween movies).

Also passing on this day: Boris Karloff. The London-born Karloff became a film star playing classic horror movie monsters Frankenstein and The Mummy. He later made numerous appearances on such classic TV shows as Route 66 and The Wild Wild West, also hosting the 1960s anthology series Thriller. Karloff’s distinctive voice continues to entertain new generations, as he was the narrator of the classic holiday cartoon How The Grinch Stole Christmas.