UK actress Jane Seymour is first on today’s birthday list. The 63 year old Seymour appeared on a number of TV movies and miniseries, plus guested on 1970s classics Battlestar Galactica and McCloud. She is best known for her long-running role as Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.

Sherry Jackson is 72 today. She played Danny Thomas’ daughter on Make Room for Daddy and later appeared on 77 Sunset Strip, Barnaby Jones and Batman. Also celebrating a birthday is TV personality Geoff Edwards (83). As an actor, he guested on I Dream of Jeannie and That Girl. Edwards went on to emcee game shows Jackpot! and The New Treasure Hunt, and later co-hosted a local Los Angeles daytime talk show with the late Meredith MacRae (Petticoat Junction).

There are a number of classic TV stars born on February 15 but since passed. The list includes Allan Arbus (M*A*S*H, Quincy M.E.), Mary Jane Croft (The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, I Love Lucy, The Lucy Show, Here’s Lucy), Rusty Hamer (Make Room for Daddy), Harvey Korman (The Carol Burnett Show, The Harvey Korman Show) and Kevin McCarthy. The stage and film star guested on such TV classics as Burke’s Law, Flamingo Road, Hawaii Five-0 and The Rifleman. McCarthy may be best remembered for his role in the 1956 movie Invasion of The Body Snatchers.

Also born this day was film and TV star Cesar Romero. He starred in the mid-1950s adventure series Passport to Danger, later guesting on such shows as Daniel Boone, Fantasy Island and The Love Boat. Romero later had a recurring role on the primetime soap Falcon Crest, but most classic TV fans will always remember him as The Joker on the campy 1960s series Batman.

February 15 also marks the day we lost many classic TV friends, including singer Nat King Cole (The Nat King Cole Show), Walker Edmiston (best known as the voice of Ernie the Keebler Elf), composer Ray Evans (Bonanza, The Bugs Bunny Show), Tim Holt (Chevron Theatre, The Virginian), actress-singer Ethel Merman (Batman, The Lucy Show), stage-film-radio actress Jan Miner (played Palmolive spokeswoman Madge for nearly 3 decades), Tommy Rettig (Lassie), newsman Howard K. Smith (CBS News, ABC News) and McClean Stevenson. Stevenson starred on The Doris Day Show, Hello Larry and the short-lived McClean Stevenson Show. His biggest role was as Lt. Colonel Henry Blake on M*A*S*H.

Wally Cox also died on this day. He starred in the 1950s comedy series Mr. Peepers, later guesting on Here’s Lucy and The Twilight Zone. He was also a frequent guest on the game show Hollywood Squares. His most enduring role? Cox was the voice of canine superhero Underdog!

Although those born today have the Aquarius sign, we’ll start off our birthday list with a Scorpio. Actor Andrew Robinson turns 72 today and is best-known for his role as serial killer Scorpio in the classic Clint Eastwood movie Dirty Harry. Robinson also guested on TV classics Bonanza, Kung Fu and The Rookies. He later had roles on the daytime drama Ryan’s Hope and Star Trek: Deep Space 9.

Others celebrating Valentine’s Day birthdays: film and TV star Andrew Prine (appeared on Baretta, Dr. Kildare, Gunsmoke, The Virginian) is 78, Brady Bunch mom and former Wesson Oil spokeswoman Florence Henderson turns 80 and TV personality Hugh Downs is 93. Downs was the announcer for Jack Paar’s Tonight Show, longtime host of The Today Show and later the primetime newsmagazine 20/20. He also hosted the daytime game show Concentration, syndicated talk show Not for Women Only and the PBS senior series Over Easy. Quite an impressive career!

Today was also the birthday of many classic TV friends who are no longer with us, including Mel Allen (longtime New York Yankees announcer, host of This Week in Baseball), Stuart Erwin (star of 1950s comedy The Stu Erwin Show, guested on Big Valley and Perry Mason), Brian Kelly (Flipper), Vic Morrow (Combat!, father of actress Jennifer Jason Leigh), Edward Platt (Get Smart) and Thelma Ritter. A veteran stage and film actress, Ritter appeared on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Wagon Train. She also had a memorable role in the classic Christmas movie Miracle on 34th Street.

Benjamin Kubelsky was also born this day. The multi-talented comedian appeared on vaudeville, radio, film and television and was also an accomplished violinist. His radio and TV programs ran for more than three decades and continue to air in reruns to this day. We know Benjamin better by his stage name, Jack Benny. He would have been 39 years old today 🙂

February 14 is also the day we lost several classic TV contributors. Richard J. Collins was a producer of Bonanza, The Family Holvak and later, Matlock. Playwright-actor Michael V. Gazzo appeared in The Godfather Part II movie and also guested on TV classics The Defenders, Fantasy Island, Vega$ and Welcome Back Kotter.

Actor David Naughton kicks off today’s long list of classic TV birthdays. The 63 year old first appeared on TV as co-star of the 1974 TV series Planet of the Apes (I loved this show as a kid, had the Apes treehouse and action figures!). Naughton later had roles on sitcoms At Ease, Makin’ It and My Sister Sam. Many of us remember his guest role on Seinfeld: he played Elaine’s recovering alcoholic boyfriend in “The Red Dot” episode.

Also celebrating birthdays: Ellen Bry (guested on CHiPs, Kojak and The Love Boat…best known for her role as Nurse Shirley Daniels on St. Elsewhere) is 63, Stockard Channing (starred in two-short lived sitcoms in 1979-80, later appeared on The West Wing and The Good Wife) turns 70, Peter Tork (The Monkees) is 72, Carol Lynley (guested on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Fantasy Island) is 72 and Swedish-born Bo Svenson (Here Come the Brides, Walking Tall) turns 73.

Still a few more classic TV birthdays. George Segal (guested on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour and Naked City, currently on ABC sitcom The Goldbergs) is 80, film star Kim Novak (guested on The Ed Sullivan Show, later had a recurring role on Falcon Crest) turns 81 and UK horror movie queen Barbara Shelley is 88. Shelley starred in such movies as Dracula Prince of Darkness and Village of the Damned, also guesting on TV classics 12 O’Clock High, The Donna Reed Show and Hazel.

February 13 was also the birthday of a number of classic TV favorites no longer with us, including Lyle Bettger (starred in several 1950s series, guested on Daniel Boone, Hawaii Five-0, Laramie), singer Tennessee Ernie Ford (sang Sixteen Tons, hosted his own variety show) and Jean Muir (guested on Naked City and Route 66).

Actress, director and pilot Susan Oliver (pictured) appeared on many classic TV shows from the 1950s through the 1980s. Her resume included The F.B.I., Love American Style, Peyton Place and Wagon Train. Perhaps her most memorable role was as alien Vina in the pilot episode of Star Trek.

A pair of classic TV stars died on this day. Martin Balsam had a long career in film (A Thousand Clowns, Psycho, Tora! Tora! Tora!) and TV (Kojak, Naked City and The Twilight Zone). He also played Archie’s bar-owner partner on Archie Bunker’s Place. David Janssen starred in The Fugitive as well as Harry O, O’Hara U.S. Treasury and Richard Diamond Private Detective.

Joanna Kerns is the first name on today’s birthday list. The 61-year-old actress guested on classic 1970s shows Charlie’s Angels, Emergency!, Quincy M.E. and Starsky & Hutch. She is best known for her role as Maggie Seaver on the long-running sitcom Growing Pains. Her sister is Olympic gold medal swimmer Donna de Varona.

Also celebrating birthdays today: Swedish actress and 2-time Bond Girl Maud Adams (Hawaii Five-0, Kojak, Love American Style) is 69, singer-turned-actor Cliff DeYoung (guested on Family, Marcus Welby M.D.) is 69, Joe Don Baker (starred in Walking Tall movie, 1979 TV series Eischied) turns 78, Charles Van Doren (famed contestant on Twenty One, led to quiz show scandal) is 88, and former baseball player turned TV personality Joe Garagiola (NBC MLB Game of the Week, Today, To Tell The Truth) is 88.

We have a long list of classic TV stars born February 12 but since passed away. Wallace Ford appeared on the first season of Henry Fonda’s TV western The Deputy, and also guested on The Andy Griffith Show and Lassie. Joseph Kearns is best-known as harried neighbor Mr. Wilson on Dennis the Menace. Richard Lynch guested on Baretta, Barnaby Jones and Starsky & Hutch. Ted Mack hosted the long-running radio and TV talent search The Original Amateur Hour. Forrest Tucker is remembered for his starring role on F Troop.

Classic TV favorite Lorne Greene was also born this day. Greene started out as a news anchor for the CBC in his native Canada, later moving to Hollywood. He appeared on numerous films and classic TV shows, but is best known for his role as family patriarch Ben Cartwright on the classic western Bonanza. Greene later starred in Battlestar Galactica, Code Red, Griff and hosted a syndicated nature series: Lorne Greene’s New Wilderness.

Many classic TV favorites died on February 12, including director-turned-actor Nicholas Colasanto. He was behind the camera for such shows as Hawaii Five-0 and Run For Your Life, later gaining fame as Coach Ernie Pantusso on Cheers. Betty Garrett had recurring roles on All in the Family and Laverne & Shirley. Character actor Victor Jury appeared on Nakia, The Rockford Files and The Virginian. Kenneth Mars appeared in several Mel Brooks movies and guested on shows like Fernwood Tonight, Love American Style and Mannix.

Also passing this day: Charles Schultz (creator of the Peanuts comic strip franchise) and Sal Mineo. The stage and film star guested on a number of classic TV series, including Combat!, Hawaii Five-0, The Patty Duke Show and S.W.A.T. Mineo’s life ended tragically when he was murdered at age 37.

Burt Reynolds leads off today’s birthday list. The 78-year-old actor was a regular on the vintage Darren McGavin western Riverboat, then played Quint on the classic western Gunsmoke. Reynolds also guested on a number of classic TV series, including Perry Mason and The Twilight Zone. He later starred in B.L. Stryker, Dan August, Evening Shade and Hawk.

One of the last two surviving cast members of Gilligan’s Island is celebrating her 80th birthday this day. Tina Louise (Ginger) also had guest appearances on Cannon, Love American Style and Route 66. She and Dawn Wells (Mary Ann) are the last of the castaways, following the death of Russell Johnson (The Professor) last month.

A number of classic TV favorites were born February 11 but are no longer with us. Boxer-turned-actor Max Baer Sr. guested on Make Room for Daddy and Playhouse 90. His son, Max Baer Jr., played Jethro on The Beverly Hillbillies. Eva Gabor is best remembered as Lisa Douglas on Green Acres.

Billy Hallop was one of The Dead End Kids in the movies, as an adult he guested on Adam-12, Gomer Pyle USMC, Gunsmoke and Perry Mason. He also played Bert Munson on All in the Family. Stage and film actress Kim Stanley appeared on Ben Casey, Night Gallery and Quincy M.E. She was also the uncredited narrator on the classic movie To Kill A Mockingbird.

Recognize the face in the above photo? It’s veteran Canadian actor Leslie Nielsen, who was also born this day. The photo is from one his “serious” roles in the sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet. Nielsen guested on many classic TV series, often playing a heavy. He had roles on Hawaii Five-O, Kung Fu, Naked City and Studio One. He starred in several 1960s series including The New Breed and The Bold Ones: The Protectors.

Nielsen’s career changed in a big way after his appearance on the satirical 1980 comedy film Airplane! He starred in the cult classic TV series Police Squad!, which led to the hugely-popular Naked Gun movie series. Nielsen’s acting career spanned 6 decades, ending with his passing in 2010.

February 11 is also a day we lost some classic TV friends, including Sorrell Booke (The Dukes of Hazzard), William Conrad (starred on Cannon, Jake & The Fatman, Nero Wolfe…narrated The Fugitive and The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show), Lee J. Cobb (The Virginian) and Don Porter (The Ann Sothern Show, Gidget, Private Secretary).

George O’Hanlon also died on this day. O’Hanlon (Sr. actually, his son is also an actor) appeared in shows like The Life of Riley, Maverick, Mister Ed and Sanford and Son. He even had a role in the classic 1976 movie Rocky. We best know O’Hanlon for his voice: he was George Jetson.

Happy 84th Birthday to actor Robert Wagner! He starred in classic TV favorites Hart to Hart, It Takes a Thief and Switch. Wagner also guested on The Name of the Game, The Streets of San Francisco and, more recently, NCIS. He and his actress-wife Jill St. John guest starred together on a classic episode of Seinfeld (The Yada Yada).

Classic TV stars born February 10 but since passed away include Judith Anderson (guested on Playhouse 90 and Wagon Train, last role was on daytime soap Santa Barbara), movie monster Lon Chaney Jr. (appeared on The Monkees, Route 66), actor-comedian Jimmy Durante (The Jimmy Durante Show, narrator of Frosty The Snowman) and composer Jerry Goldsmith. He composed the themes to many of our favorite classics, including Barnaby Jones, Dr. Kildare, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., then later Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek Voyager.

Character actress Neva Patterson was also born on this day. The stage and film star was a regular on several series, The Governor and J.J. and Nichols. Patterson also guested on a host of shows, among them Ben Casey, Kraft Theatre, Maude, The Patty Duke Show, St. Elsewhere and Webster.

Two classic authors who impacted 1970s television passed away on February 10: Alex Haley (Roots) and Laura Ingalls Wilder (Little House on the Prairie).

Actor Roy Scheider died this day too. The boxer-turned-actor appeared on a wide range of shows including Cannon, The Edge of Night, The Love of Life, N.Y.P.D. and later Third Watch. Scheider starred in the first season of seaQuest (1993-96) but is perhaps best known for his role on the classic 1975 movie Jaws.

Judith Light turns 65 today. The actress best known for her role on the sitcom Who’s The Boss? also had early roles on Kojak and daytime soap One Life to Live. Light later appeared on Law & Order: SVU and Ugly Betty.

Other classic TV connections celebrating birthdays today: Mia Farrow (Peyton Place) is 69, film actor Joe Pesci (had several uncredited appearances on The Lucy Show, starred in a short-lived 80s comedy-drama Half Nelson) turns 71, Sheila Kuehl (The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis) is 73, UK actor Clive Swift (appeared in numerous UK shows of the 60s and 70s, best known for his later role on Keeping Up Appearances) is 78 and Ronnie Claire Edwards (Corabeth on The Waltons) turns 81.

A number of classic TV favorites were born February 9 but are no longer with us, including UK-born stage, film and radio star Ronald Colman (The Halls of Ivy), Disney animator Bill Justice (worked on movies and Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color), country singer Ernest Tubb (The Ernest Tubb Show) and Peggy Wood (starred in 1950s comedy-drama Mama, later appeared on One Life to Live).

UK actress Heather Angel was also born this day. Angel made numerous guest appearances on such classic TV series as Lawman, Perry Mason and Peyton Place. She is best known here for her role as Mr. French’s lady friend Miss Faversham on the sitcom Family Affair.

Two classic TV stars died on February 9. Longtime western sidekick George “Gabby” Hayes (The Gabby Hayes Show) and David Wayne. Wayne guested on many classic shows, including Batman and Hawaii Five-O. He also starred on several, including the 70s Jim Hutton version of Ellery Queen and the sitcom House Calls.

Christina Ferrare leads off today’s birthday list. The 64-year-old former model had an early appearance on Batman, later guesting on The Love Boat and Vega$. The ex-wife of automaker John DeLorean is currently the co-host of The Home and Family Show on The Hallmark Channel.

Brooke Adams is 65 today. She was in the cast of O.K. Crackerby! (a short-lived 1965 sitcom starring Burl Ives), and guested on The Bob Newhart Show, Family and Kojak. Comedian Robert Klein (Love American Style, Saturday Night Live) is 72, film actor Nick Nolte (guested on Cannon, Emergency!, Medical Center) turns 73, longtime ABC newsman Ted Koppel (Nightline) is 74 and Jack Larson (The Adventures of Superman) turns 86.

Also celebrating a February 8 birthday: composer John Williams. The 82-year-old Williams is well known for composing the Star Wars theme, but he also has extensive television experience. Among his works, the themes for three classic Irwin Allen series: Land of the Giants, Lost in Space and Time Tunnel. Williams also composed the original calypso theme song for the Gilligan’s Island pilot episode (see below). His more recent work includes the NBC Nightly News and NBC Sunday Night Football.

Classic TV contributors born this day but since passed away include Gary Coleman (Diff’rent Strokes), legendary film star James Dean (Danger, Lux Video Theatre, Studio One), comic book writer Bill Finger (helped develop Batman), TV and film star Jack Lemmon (Alcoa Theatre, Kraft Theatre, Studio One), Audrey Meadows (The Honeymooners) and film legend Lana Turner (starred in 1969 series The Survivors, later guested on Falcon Crest and The Love Boat).

Veteran character actor Charles Ruggles was also born February 8. He guested on classic TV shows like The Beverly Hillbillies, Bewitched, Bonanza, Burke’s Law and Father Knows Best. Ruggles was also the narrator of the Aesop’s Fables segment on The Bullwinkle Show.

Another popular character actor was born this day. Although Burt Mustin didn’t start his professional acting career until he turned 67, he wound up working until age 92. Mustin’s resume includes appearances on such shows as Adam-12, All in the Family, The Andy Griffith Show, The Brady Bunch and Dragnet. One of his best known roles: Gus the Fireman on Leave It To Beaver.

Several classic TV favorites died this day. George Dolenz guested on Bonanza, Cimarron City and The Rebel. His son Micky was one of The Monkees. Character actress Harriet E. MacGibbon appeared on Bewitched, Hazel and Thriller, but is best remembered as Mrs. Drysdale on The Beverly Hillbillies. Charles Ruggles (mentioned above) played her character’s father on The Hillbillies.

Also passing this day: Robert Ridgely. He starred in a 1962 series called The Gallant Man, and guested on such shows as The Bob Newhart Show, Bonanza, Maverick and Surfside 6. Ridgely also did a lot of voice work, including the 1970s cartoon Tarzan and the 1980s Thundarr the Barbarian.

A couple of classic TV stars were born this day but have since passed on. Stage, film and TV star Eddie Bracken guested on shows like Burke’s Law, Ellery Queen, Rawhide and Studio One. Many of us remember him for his role as Roy Walley on the 1983 movie National Lampoon’s Vacation.

Buster Crabbe was a gold medal Olympic swimmer who turned to acting, starring in several movie serials in the 1930s and 40s. He played memorable characters Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon and Tarzan. In the 1950s, he and his son Cullen starred in an early TV series called Captain Gallant of the Foreign Legion. He made a few guest appearances too, including BJ and the Bear, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and The Red Skelton Hour.

February 7 is also the day we lost a number of classic TV favorites. Nick Adams starred in the western series The Rebel and a short-lived 1962 drama series Saints and Sinners. He also guested on Burke’s Law, Combat! and The Wild Wild West. Country singer Molly Bee guested on Hee Haw and The Jimmy Dean Show. Dale Evans was the wife and performing partner of singing cowboy Roy Rogers (The Roy Rogers Show). Magician Doug Henning guested on The Tonight Show and starred in a series of primetime specials in the 1970s.

Also passing on this day was the multi-talented Bobby Troup. The actor-singer-songwriter wrote such classics as Daddy and (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66. He guested on many classic TV shows, among them Adam-12, Dragnet, Mannix and Perry Mason.

Bobby Troup’s daughter Ronne also went into acting, playing Chip’s wife on My Three Sons. Troup’s best-known role was as Dr. Joe Early M.D., F.A.C.S. on the 1970s adventure series, Emergency! He starred on the show alongside his wife, Julie London. Interesting backstory here is London was previously married to actor-producer Jack Webb, who starred in Dragnet and produced Adam-12 and Emergency!

Actress Gayle Hunnicutt leads off today’s birthday list. Hunnicutt, 71, guested on such TV classics as The Beverly Hillbillies, Get Smart, The Love Boat and Switch. She also appeared in numerous TV miniseries and had a recurring role in the final 2 seasons of Dallas.

Others sharing a February 6 birthday include Gigi Perreau (73), a former child film star who had a memorable guest appearance on The Brady Bunch, playing Greg’s teacher (and schoolboy crush!) Longtime NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw is 74, Mike Farrell (The Interns, M*A*S*H, later Providence) is 75 and B-movie actress Mamie Van Doren is either 81 or 83. Van Doren guested on such shows as The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, Fantasy Island and Vega$.

Also on today’s birthday list: Rip Torn (guested on Bonanza, Dr. Kildare, Mannix…later had roles on The Larry Sanders Show and 30 Rock) is 83, English actor Patrick Macnee (The Avengers) is 92 and Zsa Zsa Gabor is estimated to turn 97. The Hungarian-born Gabor made guest appearances on a number of classic TV shows, including Batman, Burke’s Law, Mister Ed and Night Gallery.

Several classic TV “voices” were born this day but are no longer with us. Walker Edmiston guested on The Dukes of Hazzard, Mission: Impossible and Star Trek but we probably best remember him as the voice of Ernie The Keebler Elf. Voice actor Thurl Ravenscroft (besides having the coolest name ever!) was the voice of Frosted Flakes spokescat Tony the Tiger (they’re grrreat!) He also performed “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” on the holiday classic How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

Ronald Reagan was also born this day. The film actor (Knute Rockne All American) also worked on the small screen, hosting General Electric Theater and Death Valley Days. He then turned to politics, serving as governor of California and later the 40th president of the United States.

There’s a lengthy list of classic TV stars who died on this day. It starts with Philip Carey, an actor who guested on such TV classics as 77 Sunset Strip, The Bionic Woman, McCloud and Room 222. He was a star on the 1960s western Laredo, but achieved his greatest fame for longtime role on the daytime soap One Life To Live. Film star Joseph Cotten had many guest roles on TV, including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Ironside and The Rockford Files. He also hosted a 1950s era series, The Joseph Cotten Show: On Trial.

Also passing this day: Danny Dayton (played Hank Pivnik on All in the Family/Archie Bunker’s Place), Peanuts composer Vince Guaraldi, singer-songwriter Frankie Laine (sang theme songs of Rawhide and The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo), Guy Madison (The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok), composer Hugo Montenegro (Here Come The Brides, I Dream of Jeannie), UK actress Dandy Nichols (starred in Britcom Till Death Us Do Part, remade in the U.S. as All in the Family) and JamesWhitmore (The Law and Mr. Jones, The New Temperatures Rising, numerous guest roles including Gunsmoke and The White Shadow).

Danny Thomas also died on February 6. The longtime star of Make Room for Daddy/The Danny Thomas Show appeared in several other sitcoms (The Practice, I’m A Big Girl Now) and produced such shows as The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mod Squad and The Real McCoys. Thomas also founded St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. His daughter Marlo (That Girl) serves as St. Jude’s national outreach director.