Short birthday list today. We start with actor Richard Lawson (67) who guested on All in the Family, Kojak and Shaft. He has also appeared on the big screen, including 1982’s Poltergeist.

Others celebrating a birthday include Daniel J. Travanti. The 74 year old appeared on Kojak, Lost in Space, Naked City and Perry Mason. Travanti later starred on the long-running police drama Hill Street Blues. Former Today Show weatherman Willard Scott is 80. Scott also claims to be the creator of the Ronald McDonald character back in the 1960s.

Also celebrating a birthday, although we can’t confirm he’s still with us, is an actor named John Rodney. He guested on such classics as The Fugitive, McHale’s Navy and Sea Hunt. Although IMDB shows his last credited role was 50 years ago, it appears he is still alive and kicking at 100 years!

Several classic TV faces were born March 7 but have passed on. James Broderick starred in the 1970s family drama appropriately called Family. He was also the father of actor Matthew Broderick. Tammy Faye Messner was the long-time co-host of the religious talk show The PTL Club with then-husband Jim Bakker.

We also lost some classic TV friends on this day. Canadian-born movie actor Ben Blue appeared on The Jack Benny Program and The Land of the Giants. Bob Livingston guested on many classic westerns, including The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok, The Cisco Kid and The Lone Ranger.

Paul Winfield also died March 7. He guested on numerous classic TV shows like Daktari, Ironside, Julia and Mannix, then starred in the 1978 miniseries King (as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.). Winfield was also in the movies (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, The Terminator) and later had a recurring role on the TV series Touched by An Angel.

If I had a tambourine, I would play Happy Birthday to Suzanne Crough! The former child star played Tracy on the classic 1970s sitcom The Partridge Family…she turns 51 today.

Other classic TV friends celebrating a birthday: actor-turned-director Rob Reiner (All in the Family) is 67, Martin Cove (guested on McMillan and Wife, Rhoda…later a regular on Cagney and Lacey) turns 68, Ben Murphy (Alias Smith and Jones, Gemini Man) is 72 and Joanna Miles is 74. Miles guested on Kojak, Mannix and Medical Center. She also won a pair of Emmys for her role in a 1973 TV adaption of The Glass Menagerie.

Old favorites born March 6 but since passed: William J. Bell (creator of Another World, The Young & The Restless), Lou Costello (The Abbott & Costello Show), Ed McMahon (The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson) and stuntman-actor-director Hal Needham. Needham acted and did stunts on such classics as Gunsmoke and Have Gun Will Travel. He also directed a number of movies, including Smokey and the Bandit.

Today was also the day we lost some classic TV friends. Singer-actor Nelson Eddy guested on numerous talk and variety shows of the 1950s and 60s. William Hopper played Paul Drake on the long-running courtroom drama Perry Mason. Boxer Max Rosenbloom guested on such favorites as I Dream of Jeannie and The Munsters. Teresa Wright appeared on Bonanza, Playhouse 90 and The United States Steel Hour.

Movie actor and director Henry Wilcoxon also died March 6. He guested on classic TV shows including The F.B.I., Gunsmoke and The Wild Wild West. Wilcoxon appeared in a wide range of movies, from Marc Antony in 1934’s Cleopatra to a golf-crazed bishop in Caddyshack.

First up on today’s birthday list: Michael Warren. The 68 year old actor guested on Adam-12, Mod Squad and The White Shadow. Warren co-starred on two short-lived 1970s series (Paris, Sierra), later landing his biggest role as Officer Bobby Hill on Hill Street Blues.

Also celebrating birthdays: UK actress Samantha Eggar (guested on Baretta, The Love Boat) is 75, Paul Sand (appeared on Bewitched and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, starred in 1974’s Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers) turns 79, James Sikking (guested on Combat!, The FBI, Hogan’s Heroes…later a regular on Doogie Howser M.D. and Hill Street Blues) is 80 and James Noble (Benson) turns 92.

Former child actor Dean Stockwell is 78 today. Stockwell had guest roles on a number of classic TV series, including Dr. Kildare, Police Story, The Streets of San Francisco and Wagon Train. He may be best known for his role on the time travel series Quantum Leap.

March 5 was also the birthday of some classic TV stars no longer with us. Jack Cassidy guested on shows like Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Columbo and Love American Style. He was the father of David Cassidy and once married to Shirley Jones, who played the younger Cassidy’s mom on The Partridge Family. Rex Harrison, known for his film roles (Doctor Doolittle, My Fair Lady), also had several small screen appearances (The Ed Sullivan Show, The United States Steel Hour).

Also born this day: character actress Virginia Christine. She guested on many classic shows of the 1950s and 60s, among them Daniel Boone, Kojak and Perry Mason. Many of us remember her for her role in a long-running TV commercial campaign:

We also lost some classic TV friends on March 5. Whit Bissell guested on TV shows from the 1950s to the 80s and was a regular on The Time Tunnel. John Belushi was in the original cast of Saturday Night Live. Billy De Wolfe appeared on such programs as The Doris Day Show and That Girl.

Others passing this day: stage and film star Richard Kiley (guested on The Defenders, Gunsmoke), Gary Merrill (Branded, Cannon, The Twilight Zone) and Jay Silverheels (he played The Lone Ranger’s sidekick, Tonto).

Canadian actress-writer Catherine O’Hara starts off today’s birthday list. The 60 year old is best known for her work with Second City Television (SCTV), a Canadian sketch comedy show that aired in syndication and later on NBC.

Also celebrating birthdays: Kay Lenz (guested on Gunsmoke, Ironside, McCloud…was the first wife of actor-singer David Cassidy) is 61, Ji-Tu Cumbuka (Daniel Boone, Ironside, Roots) turns 72, John Aprea (starred in short-lived 1975 sitcom The Montefuscos, later a regular on Matt Houston) is 73 and Paula Prentiss is 76. Prentiss co-starred in the 1967 sitcom He & She but is best known for her movie work, including The Stepford Wives.

March 4 was also the birthday of many classic TV favorites no longer with us. Edgar Barrier appeared on 77 Sunset Strip, Lux Video Theatre and Zorro. Wally Bruner hosted What’s My Line? and Wally’s Workshop. Actor-voice artist Thayer David was best known for his role on gothic soap Dark Shadows. Larry Keith was a regular on All My Children, Another World and the syndicated Norman Lear series The Baxters.

Others born this day include Disney animator Ward Kimball, singer-actress Barbara McNair (guested on Dr. Kildare, Hogan’s Heroes, Vega$) and Elaine Shore (appeared on Kojak and Love American Style, had a recurring role on early 1070s sitcom Arnie).

Today was also the day a number of classic TV stars said goodbye. Canadian actor-comedian John Candy was in the cast of SCTV and starred in such movies as Home Alone, Spaceballs and Uncle Buck. Del Close was an actor (guested on Get Smart and My Mother The Car) and acting teacher, whose students included John Belushi, John Candy, Bill Murray and Shelley Long. Stuntman Carey Lofton worked on such 70s classics as BJ & The Bear, Movin’ On and The Rockford Files.

Also passing this day: Nan Martin (guested on The FBI, The Fugitive and The Twilight Zone, later had a recurring role on The Drew Carey Show), singer-comedienne Minnie Pearl (Hee Haw), composer Leonard Rosenman (worked on Combat!, Garrison’s Gorillas, Marcus Welby M.D.) and Joan Taylor. Taylor played shopkeeper Milly Scott on The Rifleman and was married to Hawaii Five-0 creator Leonard Freeman.

Happy Birthday to Gloria Hendry. The 65 year old actress guested on Love American Style and The Snoop Sisters. She was also a Bond Girl in 1973’s Live and Let Die.

Hattie Winston turns 69 today. She was in the cast of 1970s children’s series The Electric Company and later had roles on Becker and Homefront.

Today was also the birthday of some classic TV stars since departed: Joe Conley (The Waltons), James Doohan (Star Trek), child actor Bobby Driscoll (voice of Peter Pan, later guested on M Squad and Rawhide), and Harold J. Stone. The veteran character actor co-starred in The Grand Jury (1960) and Bridget Loves Bernie (1972). Stone also guested on a wide range of shows, including Barney Miller, Gunsmoke, Naked City and The Untouchables.

Barney Martin was born March 3, too. The longtime NYPD police officer later turned to acting, guesting on The Odd Couple and The Patty Duke Show. He was a regular on The Tony Randall Show (1976-78) but we remember him best as Jerry’s #1 dad Morty on Seinfeld.

We lost some classic TV friends on this day, including actor-comedian Lou Costello (The Abbott & Costello Show), Louis Edmonds (All My Children, Dark Shadows), William Frawley (I Love Lucy, My Three Sons), Fred Friendly (CBS News executive), actor-singer-dancer Danny Kaye (The Danny Kaye Show) and Alice Pearce. Pearce was the actress who first played nosy neighbor Gladys Kravitz on classic 1960s sitcom Bewitched. She died during the show’s second season and was replaced by actress Sandra Gould.

Jay Osmond leads off today’s birthday list. The 59 year old actor-producer-musician is a member of the famed Osmond family, which includes siblings Donny and Marie.

Also celebrating March 2 birthdays: Laraine Newman (Saturday Night Live) is 62, character actress BarBara Luna (appeared on such shows as Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Hawaii Five-0, Star Trek, The Untouchables) turns 75 and John Cullum is 84. Cullum was a regular on daytime dramas The Edge of Night and One Life to Live, later having ongoing roles on Northern Exposure and The Middle.

Today was also the birthday of TV legend Desi Arnaz (I Love Lucy, produced The Untouchables), classic radio and voice artist Michael Rye (voiced roles on The Flintstones and Super Friends, guested on The Lone Ranger and Mission: Impossible) and Al Waxman. The Canadian-born actor guested on Ben Casey and was later a regular on cop drama Cagney & Lacey.

We also lost some classic TV favorites on March 2. Stage and film actress Sandy Dennis guested on The Fugitive and Naked City. Mercedes McCambridge was a stage, film and radio actress who co-starred in a 1956 TV series (Wire Service) and guested on Bonanza, Lost In Space and Rawhide.

Also passing this day: Jack Wild. He was a child star in the stage and film versions of Oliver!, but classic TV fans remember him best as Jimmy on the Saturday morning kids show H.R. Pufnstuf.

Happy 60th Birthday Opie Taylor and Richie Cunningham! Actually, its the actor who played those two classic TV roles that is celebrating a birthday today. Ron Howard followed up his acting career with a successful transition to directing, including such films as Apollo 13, The Da Vinci Code and Splash.

Today’s lengthy classic TV birthday list continues: Catherine Bach (The Dukes of Hazzard) is 60, Lana Wood (sister of Natalie, starred on Peyton Place) turns 68, Dirk Benedict (The A Team, Battlestar Galactica) is 69 and Jed Allan (Celebrity Bowling, Days of Our Lives, Lassie) is 77.

Others with March 1st birthdays: Robert Conrad (Baa Baa Black Sheep/Black Sheep Squadron, Hawaiian Eye, The Wild Wild West) is 79, singer-actor Harry Belafonte (guested on The Muppet Show, Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, The Tonight Show) turns 87 and Robert Clary is 88. Clary is the only surviving male cast member of the sitcom Hogan’s Heroes.

Also celebrating a birthday is Alan Thicke. The Canadian born actor-composer turns 67 today and boasts a lengthy resume in television, including composing the theme music for classic game shows like Celebrity Sweepstakes and The Joker’s Wild. He also composed the theme songs to sitcoms Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life. Thicke hosted a talk show in his native Canada, then moved to the U.S. to host the syndicated Thicke of the Night. His most high-profile role was as star of the long-running sitcom Growing Pains.

Today was also the birthday of some since-departed classic TV favorites. Harry Caray was a legendary baseball announcer for several MLB teams, most notably the Chicago Cubs. Paul Hartman played handyman Emmett Clark on The Andy Griffith Show and spinoff Mayberry R.F.D. Joan Hackett had a recurring role on The Defenders and guested on Ben Casey, Taxi and The Twilight Zone.

Also born this day: David Niven (co-starred in 1964 TV series The Rogues, best known for his role in The Pink Panther movies) and Pete Rozelle (longtime commissioner of the National Football League).

March 1 was also the day we said goodbye to some old friends. Joe Besser appeared on The Abbott & Costello Show and The Joey Bishop Show. Jerome Courtland was an actor (The Rifleman, The Virginian) and director (Fantasy Island, The Flying Nun, The Love Boat). Bonnie Franklin starred in 1970s sitcom One Day At At Time, which was created by actress Whitney Blake (Hazel).

Jackie Coogan also died on this day. The former child star went on to guest on such TV classics as The Brady Bunch, Gunsmoke, McMillan & Wife and Perry Mason. We know him best as kooky Uncle Fester on The Addams Family.

Happy 65th birthday to Ilene Graff! In the 1970s, she guested on Barnaby Jones and NBC’s answer to The Love Boat, Supertrain. Graff’s biggest role came in the 1980s, when she played Bob Uecker’s wife on the sitcom Mr. Belvedere.

Others on the birthday list: actress-singer Bernadette Peters (guested on Love American Style, Maude, McCloud…starred in 1976 comedy All’s Fair) is 66, Frank Bonner (WKRP in Cincinnati) is 72, Canadian actor Don Francks (guested on Ben Casey, Mission: Impossible) turns 82 and Gavin MacLeod is 83. MacLeod guested on many classic TV shows, including The Big Valley, The Munsters, Perry Mason and The Untouchables. He co-starred in McHale’s Navy and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, then took the helm of The Love Boat.

Today was also the birthday of several classic TV favorites since departed. Character actress Billie Bird was a familiar face, guesting on shows like Adam-12, Eight is Enough, Gunsmoke and The Waltons. She was later a regular on sitcoms Benson, Dear John and It Takes Two. Bird also some memorable movie roles, including Grandma Baker in Sixteen Candles.

Also born this day was Charles Durning. The veteran actor appeared in movies like The Sting and Tootsie. He guested on Cannon, Hawaii Five-0 and N.Y.P.D. Durning starred in a short-lived 1975 sitcom (The Cop and the Kid) and later had regular/recurring roles on Evening Shade, Everybody Loves Raymond and Rescue Me.

February 28 was also the day we lost some classic TV friends. Philip Ahn guested on many classic shows from the 1950s to the 70s, including Bonanza, Hawaiian Eye, Hawaii Five-0 and M*A*S*H. He later appeared as Master Kan on the adventure-western Kung Fu. Eddie Anderson was best known as Rochester Van Jones on Jack Benny’s radio and TV programs. Zara Cully was Mother Jefferson on The Jeffersons. Mary Stuart was a longtime star on the daytime drama Search for Tomorrow.

Paul Harvey also passed on this day. The veteran radio personality’s news and commentary features aired from the 1950s until his death in 2009. He also had a syndicated TV editorial segment that aired during local newscasts from the 1960s to the 80s. And now you know, the rest of the story…

Howard Hesseman is first on today’s classic TV birthday list. The 74 year old actor guested on such classic shows as The Andy Griffith Show, Dragnet, Mannix and One Day At A Time. We know him best as Dr. Johnny Fever on WKRP in Cincinnati. Hesseman later starred in the classroom sitcom Head of the Class.

Also celebrating a birthday: Barbara Babcock (appeared on Hogan’s Heroes, Mannix, Star Trek…later a regular on Hill Street Blues) is 77, Van Williams (Bourbon Street Beat, The Green Hornet, Surfside 6) turns 80 and Joanne Woodward is 84. Woodward guested on The Carol Burnett Show, Playhouse 90 and Studio One, but is best known for her movie roles (including The Three Faces of Eve). She is the widow of legendary film star Paul Newman.

February 27 was also the birthday of some classic TV favorites since passed. Singer-actor Carl Anderson guested on The Rockford Files and Starsky & Hutch but is best known for his stage/film role in Jesus Christ Superstar. Joan Bennett was a regular on the gothic daytime drama Dark Shadows. B-movie actress Lynn Cartwright appeared on Adam-12, Highway Patrol and Little House on the Prairie. She is perhaps best remembered for her role in the movie A League of Their Own.

Also born this day: Mary Frann (guested on Bonanza, Hawaii Five-0, That Girl…later played Bob Newhart’s wife on the long-running sitcom Newhart), silent film star Ian Keith (later appeared on The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin and Dragnet) and Franchot Tone. The character actor guested on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Ben Casey, Studio One and The Twilight Zone. He is also well-known as a co-star of the classic 1935 film Mutiny on the Bounty.

William Demarest (pictured) was also born February 27. He appeared in such movies as The Jolson Story and later starred in a short-lived 1959 sitcom Love and Marriage. Demarest guested on Bonanza, Ellery Queen, Make Room for Daddy and McMillan & Wife, but we know him best as Uncle Charley on the classic sitcom My Three Sons.

Today also marked the day we lost some classic TV friends. Western actor Pat Brady was a regular on The Roy Rogers Show. Conservative commentator William F. Buckley Jr. hosted the PBS series The Firing Line. Myron Cope was a Pittsburgh TV and radio sports reporter, best known as a Pittsburgh Steelers commentator and inventor of The Terrible Towel.

Others passing this day: The First Lady of American Cinema Lillian Gish (early film star, later appeared on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour and The Defenders), George Tobias (neighbor Abner Kravitz on Bewitched) and children’s host Fred Rogers (Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood).

Happy Birthday Marta Kristen! The 69 year old actress and I have something in common: we were both born in Oslo, Norway. Kristen guested on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Leave It To Beaver and My Three Sons but we know her best as eldest daughter Judy Robinson on the Irwin Allen classic sci-fi series Lost In Space.

Also on today’s birthday list: actor-director Bill Duke (appeared on Charlie’s Angels, Kojak, Starsky & Hutch) is 71, UK actress Josephine Tewson (Keeping Up Appearances, The Two Ronnies) turns 75 and game show host Tom Kennedy is 87. Kennedy hosted Name That Tune, Split Second and You Don’t Say…his brother was game show host Jack Narz (Beat The Clock, Concentration).

We have a lengthy list of classic TV friends born February 26 but no longer with us. Let’s start with classic radio actor Mason Adams, who went on to co-star in Lou Grant and was the longtime spokesman for Smucker’s jams and preserves. Tex Avery was a legendary animator who created the characters Daffy Duck and Droopy Dog…he’s also credited with coining Bugs Bunny’s signature phrase “What’s Up Doc?” Robert Alda guested on Here’s Lucy, Naked City, Quicy M.E. and his son Alan’s show, M*A*S*H.

Next up is The Man in Black: singer-actor Johnny Cash, who guested on Columbo, Little House on the Prairie and Wagon Train. He also hosted The Johnny Cash Show from 1969-71. Character actor Dane Clark worked on TV from the 1940s to the 80s, appearing on such shows as Bold Venture, Ironside, Mannix and Police Woman. William Frawley had memorable roles on two classic sitcoms: he was Fred Mertz on I Love Lucy and “Bub” O’Casey on My Three Sons.

The list continues with The Great One, comedian-actor-musician Jackie Gleason. We know him best for The Honeymooners, but he also starred in the original TV version of The Life of Riley. Gleason went on to star in such films as The Hustler and Smokey and the Bandit. Stage and film star Betty Hutton guested on Baretta, Burke’s Law and Gunsmoke, also starring in The Betty Hutton Show. Cliff Osmond appeared on such classic shows as Chips, Movin’ On and The Twilight Zone.

Also born this day: Tony Randall (Mr. Peepers, The Odd Couple, The Tony Randall Show) and western actor Dub Taylor. He guested on shows including Dennis The Menace, Hazel, Little House on the Prairie and The Roy Rogers Show. Taylor also appeared on Gunsmoke, where his son Buck was a regular (he played Newly).

We also lost some classic TV favorites on February 26. David Doyle guested on Car 54 Where Are You? and Naked City, but we know him best from his role on Charlie’s Angels. Constance Ford appeared on Another World, Perry Mason and Studio One. UK actress Wendy Richard was a regular on long-running Britcom Are You Being Served? Lawrence Tierney guested on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Naked City and Peter Gunn. He also had a memorable guest appearance on Seinfeld, playing the father of Elaine Benes.

Dale Robertson also died on this day. He starred in several classic westerns (Iron Horse, Tales of Wells Fargo) and hosted western athology Death Valley Days. Robertson later appeared on primetime soaps Dallas and Dynasty.