A pair of classic TV stars are celebrating birthdays today. Character actor Scott Glenn is 73. He guested on such classics as Baretta, Ironside and The Patty Duke Show, later landing successful big screen roles on Urban Cowboy and The Silence of the Lambs.

Actress Anne Jeffreys appeared in the early sitcom Topper, then guest starred on Bonanza and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Later in her career, she was a cast member of Baywatch, Falcon Crest and General Hospital. Jeffreys turns 91 today.

Classic TV celebrities born January 26 but since passed: Zara Cully (Mod Squad, Night Gallery, Playhouse 90…best known as Mother Jefferson on 1970s sitcom The Jeffersons), William Hopper (Paul Drake on Perry Mason), character actress Mary Murphy (The Outer Limits, Perry Mason) and film critic Gene Siskel.

Also born this day: Charles Lane. The bespectacled character actor appeared in countless classic TV shows and movies, including It’s A Wonderful Life where he played Potter’s rent collector.

On the small screen, Lane guested on shows like Bewitched, Dennis the Menace, I Love Lucy and Soap. Perhaps his best remembered TV role was as Homer Bedloe on Pettiocat Junction. Lane’s lengthy showbiz résumé spanned 6 decades and he passed away at the ripe old age of 102.

Film legend Paul Newman was also born on January 26. Few may realize his career started on the early days of television, including appearances on The Aldrich Family, The United States Steel Hour, The Web and You Are There.

Today also marks the anniversary of the passing of a number of classic TV stars. Ian Abercrombie guested on Battlestar Galactica and Fantasy Island, but his most recognizable role may have been as Elaine’s boss Mr. Pitt on Seinfeld. José Ferrer guested on Columbo and Kojak, then later played maid Stephanie’s billionaire father on the sitcom Newhart. Another bit o’ trivia: Ferrer was once married to crooner Rosemary Clooney, making him actor George Clooney’s uncle.

Other stars passing on January 26 include character actress Margaret Hayes (Flipper, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Robert Montgomery Presents), Ethelreda Leopold (appeared in mostly uncredited film roles, later guested on Hart to Hart and The Mary Tyler Moore Show) and big screen heavy Edward G. Robinson. The well-known film star also showed up on the small screen, including appearances on Batman, Night Gallery and the pilot for Medical Center.

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.

Celebrating a birthday today: Michael Ontkean is 67. Ontkean starred on the 1970s cop drama The Rookies, then later resurfaced on the quirky 1990s Twin Peaks.

Character actor William Bogert, who guested on shows including Barney Miller, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Quincy, turns 78. Bogert’s largest role was on the syndicated 1980s sitcom Small Wonder.

Another birthday boy: Jerry Maren is 94. Maren appeared on 70s era classics The Gong Show and The Odd Couple, along with some McDonald’s commercials. He is best known as the last surviving Munchkin from The Wizard of Oz.

Other classic TV stars born this day but no longer with us: John Belushi (Saturday Night Live), Ernest Borgnine (McHale’s Navy, Airwolf) and Jack Brickhouse (legendary Chicago Cubs broadcaster from 1948-81).

A few more January 24 birthdays: televangelist Oral Roberts, actress Sharon Tate and character actress Ann Todd (guested on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Playhouse 90, Thriller). Tate had guest roles on classic 1960s shows The Beverly Hillbillies and Mister Ed, but her life ended tragically when she was murdered by the infamous Manson Family.

Classic TV stars passing on this day: James Farentino (The Bold Ones, Dynasty), Larry Fine (The Three Stooges), J. Carrol Naish (Life with Luigi) and Pernell Roberts (Bonanza, Trapper John M.D.). We actually missed including Naish on his birthday, which was January 21.

Several classic TV stars are marking birthdays today. Gil Gerard, star of the 70s sci-fi series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, is 71. Character actress and cartoon voiceover artist Arlene Golonka is 78. She guested on a number of classic shows (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Naked City, later King of Queens) but is perhaps best known as Millie on The Andy Griffith Show and its successor: Mayberry R.F.D.

Also born this day: Chita Rivera. She was a cast member of The New Dick Van Dyke Show.

Classic TV stars born January 23 but no longer with us: Frances Bay, a Canadian character actress who appeared on such shows as The Dukes of Hazzard and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. One of her more memorable roles was on Seinfeld…she was the woman Jerry robbed of her marbled rye bread.

Others born this day: Myron Cope (legendary Pittsburgh Steelers commentator and one-time local TV sports anchor), Dan Duryea (star of China Smith in the 1950s, later guested on Bonanza, Naked City, Twilight Zone) and Ernie Kovacs. The actor-comedian was an early TV star and influenced numerous future comedy programs and hosts including Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, David Letterman and Saturday Night Live.

One more January 23 birthday: Larri Thomas. She was best known as Henrietta Hippo on the 1970s children’s series The New Zoo Revue.

A number of classic TV icons passed away on this day, including late night legend Johnny Carson, Bob Keeshan (Clarabell the Clown on Howdy Doody, later Captain Kangaroo) and fitness guru Jack LaLanne.

Other January 23 deaths: Freddie Bartholomew, a child film star in the 1930s (David Copperfield) who went on to work as a producer/director on several TV daytime dramas, Nell Carter (Gimme A Break, The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo, Ryan’s Hope) and Jack Oakie. He was a film actor who guested on classic TV shows Daniel Boone and The Real McCoys.

Among those celebrating birthdays January 22: Linda Blair. The star of The Exorcist also appeared in several made-for-TV movies back in the 1970s, including Sarah T.- Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic. Blair turns 55 today.

Former cop turned author Joseph Wambaugh is 77. Two of his books were adapted into 70s era cop shows: The Blue Knight and Police Story.

Character actor Seymour Cassel is 78. He guested on Batman, The FBI and The Lloyd Bridges show and remains active to this day. According to IMDB, Cassel has seven new entries on his filmography in 2014.

Graham Kerr, the Galloping Gourmet, is 80. Piper Laurie, who appeared on shows like The Naked City and Murder She Wrote, later went on to star in the offbeat series Twin Peaks. She is perhaps best known as Sissy Spacek’s mom in the original Carrie. Laurie turns 82.

Several classic TV stars who have passed away also share January 22 as a birthday: Bill Bixby (My Favorite Martian, The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, The Magician, The Incredible Hulk), Jeff Smith (The Frugal Gourmet, which originated in the 70s) and Ann Sothern. Sothern was a film actress who later starred in three sitcoms: Private Secretary, The Ann Sothern Show and My Mother The Car (she was the voice of the car, the reincarnated mother of Jerry Van Dyke’s character!)

Classic TV celebs who died on this day include Parker Fennelly, a character actor who is best remembered as the longtime spokesman for Pepperidge Farms. Stage and film star Ann Miller guested on Love American Style and The Love Boat.

Also passing on January 22: Telly Savalas (Kojak), who died one day after his 72nd birthday and Jean Simmons, a film star who appeared on Hawaii Five-0 and a memorable episode of The Odd Couple. She played The Princess, a visiting royal who stole the heart of sloppy Oscar Madison.

Classic TV stars celebrating birthdays today: Jill Eikenberry is 67. She starred in several made-for-TV movies in the 1970s, then later joined the cast of L.A. Law, along with real-life husband Michael Turner.

Mac Davis is 72 today. The country singer had his own variety series back in the 70s, The Mac Davis Show. Also celebrating birthdays: Audrey Dalton (guested on Wagon Train and other series) and Ann Wedgeworth, best known for her role as Lana on Three’s Company. Dalton and Wedgeworth both turn 80.

A number of classic TV stars were born January 21 but sadly are no longer with us: British comedian Benny Bill, Telly Savalas (Kojak), Ann Sheridan (Pistols ‘n’ Petticoats) and Carl Switzer (Alfalfa in the Little Rascals).

Celebrities passing on this day include Jack Lord (Stoney Burke, Hawaii Five-O), Colonel Tom Parker (Elvis Presley’s manager) and character actress Susan Strasberg. Strasberg appeared on Broadway and film, later guesting on classic TV shows like Bonanza, The FBI and The Rockford Files.

A couple classic TV stars are celebrating birthdays today. UK actor Tom Baker, who played Who..Doctor Who that is…from 1974-81, turns 80. Arte Johnson, best known for his verrrry interesting role on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, turns 85.

Several January 20-born stars are no longer with us. Leon Ames starred in a number of early television series (Father of the Bride, Life with Father) but may best be remembered as next-door neighbor “The Colonel” on Mister Ed.

Others include DeForest Kelly (Bones on Star Trek) and Patricia Neal, a stage actress who starred as Olivia Walton in what would be the pilot for The Waltons (1971’s The Homecoming: A Christmas Story).

Dorothy Provine was also born on this day. She starred in some 1950s and 60s era series including The Alaskans and The Roaring 20s. She also had a prominent role in the classic 1965 Disney movie That Darn Cat, playing the sister of Hayley Mills.

A number of classic TV favorites passed away on January 20. Al Hirschfeld was not an actor, but a well-known caricaturist whose work often appeared on the cover of TV Guide magazine. Legendary film star Barbara Stanwyck portrayed family matriarch Victoria Barkley on The Big Valley.

Nedra Volz was not a household name, but many remember the character actress for her roles on such shows as The Dukes of Hazzard, Filthy Rich and Diff’rent Strokes (she played Adelaide, replacing Charlotte Rae’s character who moved on to The Facts of Life).

Also passing on this day: Johnny Weismuller. He’s well known as an Olympic swimming star and for playing Tarzan in the movies, but Weismuller also starred in a short-lived 1950s TV series called Jungle Jim.

A bunch of classic TV stars are celebrating birthdays today, starting with Desi Arnaz Jr. The son of Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball turns 61…he’s probably best remembered for his guest role on the Brady Bunch.

Other January 19 birthdays: Shelley Fabares (The Donna Reed Show, One Day At A Time, Coach) is 70, Tippi Hedren (starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, guested on a number of classic TV shows), veteran NBC/PBS newsman Robert MacNeil is 83 and Fritz Weaver (character actor, appeared in 3 episodes of The Twilight Zone) is 88.

Several old favorites who have passed also share a January 19 birthday: Nicholas Colasanto (TV director and actor, best known for his role as Coach on Cheers) and Jean Stapleton (All In The Family).

Today also marks the anniversary of two classic TV stars’ deaths. Anthony Franciosa starred in a number of series, including The Name of the Game and Matt Helm. Suzanne Pleshette guested on many series, but her biggest role was Emily, Bob’s wife on The Bob Newhart Show.

Celebrating a birthday today: Alison Arngrim is 52. Alison is best-known for her role as Nellie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie. She also guested on Fantasy Island and The Love Boat.

Born on this day but no longer with us, Bob Bell (original Bozo the Clown on WGN Chicago), Oliver Hardy (the bigger half of Laurel & Hardy) and Danny Kaye (film actor who guested on a number of TV series).

Classic TV stars who passed away on January 18 include Carl Betz (The Donna Reed Show, Judd for the Defense), Curly Howard (The Three Stooges), Rusty Hamer (Make Room for Daddy) and Bob May (The Robot on Lost in Space).

Today is Betty White’s 92nd birthday. She appeared in such classic series as Date with the Angels, The Golden Girls and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She is currently starring in Hot In Cleveland, an original comedy series on TV Land. Betty is the widow of classic game show host Allen Ludden (Password).

January 17 also marks the birthday of several stars who are no longer with us, including Andy Kauffman (Taxi), Eartha Kitt (Batman), Shari Lewis (of Shari Lewis & Lamb Chop fame) and Sheree North (veteran character actress, later played Babs Kramer on Seinfeld).

A number of classic TV stars passed away on this day, among them Richard Crenna (The Real McCoys), Don Kirshner (Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert), Allan Melvin (All In The Family, The Brady Bunch, Gomer Pyle USMC, Magilla Gorilla, The Phil Silvers Show) and Doodles Weaver (veteran character actor).