Classic TV Birthdays: March 24

The youngest member of a legendary acting family is celebrating a birthday. Robert Carradine (son of John, brother of Keith) turns 60 today. He guested on Bonanza and Kung Fu and co-starred in a 1974 western series called The Cowboys. He is perhaps best known for his role in the Revenge of the Nerds movies.

Also on today’s birthday list: Donna Pescow (Angie, One Life to Live) is 60, fashion designer Bob Mackie (The Carol Burnett Show) turns 74 and William Smith is 81. Smith appeared on numerous classic shows of the 1960s and 70s, co-starring in the western series Laredo. He also played Kimo in the final season of Hawaii Five-0.

March 24 was the birthday of many classic TV favorites no longer with us. Animator Joseph Barbera was co-founder of Hanna-Barbera, creators of The Flintstones, Scooby Doo and Yogi Bear. Richard Conte appeared in movies (Call Northside 777, The Godfather) and on television (77 Sunset Strip, The Donna Reed Show, The Name of the Game). Veteran character actor Norman Fell is remembered as Mr. Roper on Three’s Company and spinoff The Ropers. Murray Hamilton had roles in films (The Graduate, Jaws) and television (BJ & The Bear, Cannon, The F.B.I., The Untouchables). Connie Hines played Wilbur’s wife Carol on Mister Ed. Disney animator Ub Iwerks was co-creator of Mickey Mouse.

Others born this day: Steve McQueen and Gene Nelson. McQueen starred in the classic TV western Wanted: Dead or Alive before becoming a major film star. Nelson was an actor (77 Sunset Strip, Gunsmoke, The Streets of San Francisco) and director (The Donna Reed Show, I Dream of Jeannie, Mod Squad, The Rookies).

We also said goodbye to a number of classic TV friends this day. Robert Culp starred in Trackdown and I Spy. Peter Duryea guested on Combat!, Dragnet and The Outer Limits, also appearing in the original pilot for Star Trek. Ray Goulding was 1/2 of the comedy duo of Bob and Ray. Sam Jaffe co-starred in classic medical drama Ben Casey. Veteran film actor Richard Widmark (The Alamo, Judgment at Nuremberg) starred in the 1972 mystery series Madigan.