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- American actress and dancer, born one of four siblings in Dearborn, Michigan, and christened after Tchaikovsky's opera 'Eugene Onegin'. Her ancestry was Russian and her surname at birth (depending on which source you read) has been variously given as Popoff, Popov, Popova or Popoffon. In the mid-50s, a fanciful story circulated which had her descending "from Genghis Khan on her father's side and a tribe of Gypsies on her mother's".
Eugenia trained as a ballet dancer in New York and made her way to Los Angeles in 1952 while touring with the American Ballet Theatre. Warner Brothers promptly signed her as a dancer to a three-year contract. She went on to acting studies with Michael Chekhov and further ballet lessons under the tutelage of Bronislava Njinska. In 1955, she signed with 20th Century Fox to be cast cast as exotic characters in a couple of low budget films: a B-western (as Liwana, a chief's daughter in Apache Warrior (1957)) and a C-grade zombie flick (as an African native in The Disembodied (1957)). Luckily, she was better served by television as a romantic lead (Señorita Elena Torres) in Walt Disney's Zorro (1957). Unable to shake off typecasting, the parts that came her way for the remainder of the decade were confined to Hispanic or Native American lasses in TV westerns ranging from Death Valley Days (1952) and Broken Arrow (1956) to The Adventures of Jim Bowie (1956). Having (in 1952) married Bob Strauss, heir to the Pep Boys Auto Supply Company fortune, Eugenia called quits in 1960 and left the film business to raise a family. - Actress
- Soundtrack
In 1940, a blonde, sultry-looking model from Fort Worth, Texas (birth name Marilyn Llewelling) calling herself Marilyn Merrick, was cast in two Warner Bros. features and one short. She also had a role in "Dr. Christian Meets the Women (RKO)", and one of the two leading ladies opposite Johnny Mack Brown in in "Ragtime Cowboy Joe(Universal)". The WAMPAS Baby Stars, a yearly selection of 13 promising starlets, was conducted by the Western Association of Motion Pictures Advertisers from the early 1920s through the mid-1930s. Marilyn was a Baby Star but not during the WAMPAS sponsorship. In 1940, the Motion Pictures Publicist Association selected 13 "Baby Stars", who were featured in a Harriet Parsons-produced, Republic Pictures-distributed series called "Meet the Stars" in a 1941 entry called "Baby Stars." No claim was made that the starlets in this shot were WAMPAS selections. The 13 starlets in this short were: Ella Bryan, Lucia Carroll, Peggy Diggins, Lorraine Elliott, Jayne Hazard, Joan Leslie, Kay Leslie, Gay Parkes, Lois Ranson, Shelia Ryan, Patricia Van Clive, Tanya Widrin, and Marilyn Merrick. Two months later, March 3, 1941, Republic Pictures Corporation signed Marilyn Merrick to a Term Players Contract (with six-months options), changed her name to Lynn Merrick, and this 21-year-old actress made 22 films for Republic until her contract expired on March 30, 1943. She was the leading lady in 17 of those films, opposite Don "Red" Barry in 16 of them. Columbia Pictures then used Lynn Merrick in 17 films over the next three years, primarily as a lead or second lead in the majority of them, especially those from 1943 and 1944.- Actor
- Writer
Rick Van Nutter was born in Pomona, California and entered film work as a location manager/assistant director while living in the Hawaian Islands. Later he traveled to Africa as a production manager and stopped off in Rome on his way home and decided to stay for awhile. The following year while working as a location manager for a film company he was asked to take a part in the film and caught the acting bug and from then on spent the rest of his life in front of the cameras- Bhetty Waldron was born on 23 March 1941 in Florida, USA. She was an actress, known for Hit Man (1972), Miami Vice (1984) and Police Story (1973). She died on 1 December 2004 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
Captain Haggerty was born on 3 December 1931 in Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Forever (1992), The Last Dragon (1985) and Honeymoon in Vegas (1992). He died on 3 July 2006 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.- Not a well remembered child film actor, William Roy is better remembered as a pianist, accompanist, songwriter, singer and musical director. During the last several decades Roy prepared renowned cabaret shows for nightclub stars, notably the luminous Julie Wilson. With Wilson he put together "songbook" shows that honored the American theatre in tribute to such composers as George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, Kurt Weill, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen and Cy Coleman. He often memorably dueted with Wilson in her shows as well.
William Roy was born in Detroit on May 28, 1928. His talents blossomed early and he started his professional career at the age of 3 singing on weekly children's radio programs. He then showed up on such local radio broadcasts as "The Lone Ranger" and "The Green Hornet," among others. Roy received his stage education at the Hollywood Professional School. As an adolescent (age 12) he began working in war-era films under the name "Billy Roy." Included in his resume were the films Aloma of the South Seas (1941) (his film debut), Hangmen Also Die! (1943) with Brian Donlevy, The Cross of Lorraine (1943) with Gene Kelly Passage to Marseille (1944) starring Humphrey Bogart and The Corn Is Green (1945) starring Bette Davis, and his finest movie showcase as a young teenage pianist and prodigy hoping to earn a scholarship in the Frank Sinatra / Kathryn Grayson MGM musical It Happened in Brooklyn (1947). A talented pianist on his own, his playing was nevertheless dubbed by young 17-year-old wunderkind André Previn. Roy's last film role was as Little Hawk in Young Daniel Boone (1950).
Veering away from acting, Roy studied composition with the pianist Edward Kilenyi, Arthur Laage, Joseph Achron, Eada Rubinstein and Rina Larson. He eventually began composing and some of his art songs were performed by film opera diva Gladys Swarthout, among others. He also wrote the music and lyrics for the short-lived 1953 Broadway show "Maggie" starring Keith Andes and James Broderick, which included his songs "How Do I Love Thee?" and "What Every Woman Knows". In later years he contributed music to the popular "New Faces of 1962" revue, and also wrote the book, lyrics and music to the short-lived 1966 off-Broadway Show "The Penny Friend," based on a play by J.M. Barrie play "A Kiss for Cinderella" which showcased Bernadette Peters.
In addition to his decades-long close contact as the writer, arranger and musical conductor for Julie Wilson's nightclub/cabaret acts, Roy also arranged and directed the Julius Monk in New York during the 1950s and also for such nitery notables as Rosemary Clooney, Mabel Mercer, Bobby Short, Blossom Dearie, Celeste Holm, Bernadette Peters, Mary McCarty, Lisa Kirk, Linda Lavin, Ginger Rogers, Margaret Whiting, Dolores Gray, Dorothy Dandridge, Portia Nelson and Carol Lawrence. Usually a shadow behind the stars he illuminated, Roy also recorded his own albums, one entitled "When I Sing Alone."
His later work included music and lyrics for the musical "Moving On," which toured Ft. Lauderdale and San Francisco. As an occasional actor he appeared on the sitcom "Love, Sidney" starring Tony Randall, had a supporting role in the Manhattan Theatre Club's production of "A Backers Audition" directed by Martin Charnin and was handed the leading role of Buddy in "Gunmetal Blues" at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center. More recently, he played Zoot in The Asolo State Theatre's production of "1940's Radio Hour" in Sarasota, Florida.
Roy suffered multiple strokes toward the end of his life and died not long after of respiratory failure at age 75 in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was survived by companion, musician Wayne Hosford. - Herbert L. Oakes was born on 30 June 1946 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. He was a producer, known for Educating Rita (1983) and Not Quite Paradise (1985). He was married to Sheila Fearn. He died on 5 June 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
- Actor
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Howard Erskine was born on 29 June 1926 in Bronxville, New York, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for Zelig (1983), Thinner (1996) and The Age of Innocence (1993). He was married to Lucy Prentis. He died on 22 January 2011 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.- Actor
- Additional Crew
Richard LePore was born on 16 July 1927 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for In Harm's Way (1965), Switch (1975) and Fer-de-Lance (1974). He died on 27 November 1998 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Russell Nype was born on 26 April 1920 in Zion, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Love Story (1970), Murder, She Wrote (1984) and Fantasy Island (1977). He was married to Diantha Fitch Lawrence. He died on 27 May 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.- Treva Frazee was born on 17 February 1923 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She was an actress, known for Hardcastle and McCormick (1983), Rocky King, Detective (1950) and The Immortal (1969). She died on 30 July 2017 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
- Alan Dellay was born on 10 September 1923 in Fairview, New Jersey, USA. He was an actor, known for Trading Places (1983), Amityville II: The Possession (1982) and I, the Jury (1982). He died on 28 August 2003 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
- Art Department
Robert Goelet Jr. was born on 17 January 1921 in New York City, New York, USA. Robert was married to Lynn Merrick and Jane Potter Monroe. Robert died on 28 June 1989 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.- The inspiration for the movie Days of Thunder (1990), Tim Richmond earned the nickname Hollywood Tim because of his passion to become an actor, a bug that bit him during a cameo appearance in the movie Stroker Ace (1983) with Burt Reynolds.
But Richmond became most famous for his explosive rise and tragic fall in NASCAR racing. The 1980 Indianapolis 500 rookie of the year, Richmond was involved in an Indycar crash where his car was sliced in two at Michigan International Speedway, and was persuaded by Pocono Raceway's Joseph Mattioli to try stock cars.
Richmond drove the 1981 season for some five different teams and finally achieved stability in 1982, winning his first two races. But his greatest success came when billionaire Charlotte car dealer Rick Hendrick slotted him into one of his racecars with crew chief 'Harry Hyde(II)'.
After a stormy opening quarter of 1986, Hyde and Richmond reached an understanding of each other's abilities and from late May onward were all but unstoppable, winning seven races, most of them in a ten-race span from mid-June to early September; only late-season engine failures cost Richmond a shot at the season title. His most spectacular win came at Pocono in July 1986; after crashing with 'Richard Petty' Richmond made up a lap and beat Geoff Bodine and Ricky Rudd in a three-wide photo finish.
But Richmond's health was deteriorating - he suffered a near-fatal bout with double pneumonia after the 1986 season and was literally begging doctors to save his life. Unknown to the sport at the time, Richmond also contracted AIDS (his doctor later said that Richmond, universally known in the sport as a playboy, contracted the disease via heterosexual intercourse, but there is still doubt in that regard), and despite his illness, he returned to NASCAR circles for an eight-race run in 1987 that saw victories at Pocono and Riverside, California.
Unaware of his illness other drivers suspected Richmond was a drug user, and persuaded NASCAR to test him. Two tests resulted during Speedweeks 1988, with contradictory results. NASCAR asked to see his medical records; Richmond refused and filed a defamation suit against NASCAR that was settled out of court when it was ruled that his medical records were relevant to the case.
Richmond was badly injured in a motorcycle accident in 1989 and finally succumbed to AIDS that August. - Marilyn Pitzer was born on 30 September 1943 in Santa Cruz, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Stigmata (1999), Black Magic Woman (1991) and The Willies (1990). She died on 27 April 2014 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
- Soundtrack
Joni James was born on 22 September 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She was married to Bernard Schriever and Tony Acquaviva. She died on 20 February 2022 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.- Born in Decatur, Indiana in 1914, Bob Hite Sr. began his broadcast career at WXYZ in Detroit. His family had moved there in his late teens, and while taking a course in broadcasting at the University of Michigan he also took a job as a Nabisco cookie salesman. After landing the job at WXYZ things moved swiftly for Bob as he became one of he better known narrators of The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, Yukon Challenge and The Shadow! Losing his first wife to polio in 1944, Hite, along with his 2-year old daughter, set off for New York City and WCBS Radio where his former colleague from WXYZ, Doug Edwards, had told him he should come. There Hite anchored the news and on May 8th, 1945, he was the first announcer to herald our Victory in Europe to the country. With the development of television held back until after the WWII, Bob Hite soon took the anchor desk doing the CBS Television local metropolitan news, among his other duties. The last ten years of his career at CBS he became the announcer for The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite. During his 35-years at CBS before retirement, he also narrated many RKO Pathe Film Screenliners, Periscope Films and commercials. He and his pal from WXYZ, Doug Edwards, also narrated Stanley Kubrick's first two films he ever produced, "The Day of the Fight" and "The Flying Padre," narrated by Bob. As a matter of fact, it was while auditioning for one of his many narrations that he met his future wife, our mother, Nancy Boyle, who was a casting director at Compton Advertising - no surprise that a few of their offspring ended up in broadcasting. But as a CBS staff announcer our dad's beautiful baritone was always present on the station and was one of those special voices that helped to characterize CBS as the "Tiffany Network." He passed away in February of 2000 at the age of 86. To view an excellent 8.5-minute video bio of my father, type in "Bob Hite Eulogy and Last Ride," here on YouTube. Some of this piece aired on the CBS Sunday Morning program with Charles Osgood two days after dad's passing. The brief documentary was produced by my brother Bob Hite Jr., senior anchor at WFLA TV Channel 8, Tampa for 30-years, from 1977-2007. I'm his middle daughter, Cindy Hite, and, yes, I still do radio.
- Frank Daniels was born on 15 August 1856 in Dayton, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for Crooky (1915), What Happened to Father (1915) and Captain Jinks' Evolution (1916). He was married to Elizabeth Sanson (actress). He died on 12 January 1935 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
- Evelyn Greeley's life before becoming a film star is somewhat mysterious, but she appears to have been born in Austria as Evelyn Huber in 1888. She later attended the University School for Girls in Chicago and the Frances Shimer Academy (now known as Shimer College), which offered high-level training in music and art.
Greeley began her acting career on stage with the Poli Players stock company. She worked as an extra for Essanay Studios in Chicago for a year before getting her first credited role, in the 1915 Quality Pictures production The Second in Command (1915). Soon thereafter, she was signed by the World Film Corporation, appearing in about two dozen movies from 1917 to 1919, frequently starring opposite Carlyle Blackwell.
After losing her World Film contract in 1920, Greeley appeared less frequently. She gave her last on-screen performance in _Bulldog Drummond (1922)_, and decided to take up the married life. Her first marriage, to fellow actor John Smiley, fell apart in a matter of months, but her second, to wealthy businessman James Rand, lasted for some 35 years. After Rand and Greeley divorced in 1960, she married Morgan Laity. She died in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1975. - Composer
- Music Department
- Actor
James Last was born on 17 April 1929 in Bremen, Germany. He was a composer and actor, known for Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003), Ocean's Eight (2018) and Shallow Grave (1994). He was married to Christine Grundner and Waltraut. He died on 9 June 2015 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.- Money Mitch was an actor, known for Money Mitch feat. SpotemGottem: Charged Up (2020), Risk GG feat. Money Mitch: Lost Count (2020) and Money Mitch feat. Bossman JD: No Handouts (2021). He died on 23 July 2021 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
- Actor
- Producer
Manfred Bernhard was born on 19 April 1917 in Berlin, Germany. He was an actor and producer, known for Dr. Black, Mr. Hyde (1976). He died on 20 February 2004 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.- Robert Monet was born on 11 May 1925 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He was an actor, known for Thunder Bay (1953) and Crazy Frolic (1953). He was married to Mary Ann Sinischalchi. He died on 28 September 2004 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
- Bud Palmer was born on 14 September 1921 in Hollywood, California, USA. He was an actor, known for The DuPont Show of the Month (1957), The World's Greatest Athlete (1973) and Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me (1971). He died on 19 March 2013 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
- Additional Crew
Edgar Dean Mitchell (September 17, 1930 - February 4, 2016) was a United States Navy officer and aviator, test pilot, aeronautical engineer, ufologist and NASA astronaut. As the Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo 14, he spent nine hours working on the lunar surface in the Fra Mauro Highlands region, making him the sixth person to walk on the Moon.