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1-26 of 26
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Born January 1, 1928, to acting parents, Helen Westcott's show biz career began at the ripe old age of 4 when she performed on stage with her vaudevillian mother who played piano and drums. Her father was handsome Warner Bros. actor Gordon Westcott who appeared in second leads opposite a number of the top stars of the day including Bette Davis, Joe E. Brown, Joan Blondell, William Powell, James Cagney, etc. His untimely death in Hollywood at age 31 following a horse polo accident robbed Hollywood of a rising talent and deprived Helen, then age 7, of her father. Through her father's connections at Warners, young Helen was able to muster up a couple of pictures, earning a sizable role in the western Thunder Over Texas (1934) and as a little fairy in A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935).
After time out for education, Helen returned to films as a beautiful young ingénue in the late 40s. She appeared in both lead and second lead roles in a number of pictures, notably playing Gregory Peck's estranged wife in the classic The Gunfighter (1950), the lovely damsel-in-distress in Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1953), and the spurned wife of Aldo Ray in the steamy drama God's Little Acre (1958). She played plucky bobbysoxer co-eds in light comedies and musicals and went on to provide feminine diversion in "B" adventure showcases starring Errol Flynn, George Montgomery, Guy Madison, Lex Barker and Dale Robertson.
When her cinematic career started to slow down significantly in the late 50s, she pursued TV work and showed up in such popular dramas as Perry Mason (1957), Wanted: Dead or Alive (1958), Bonanza (1959), The Twilight Zone (1959) and M Squad (1957). She also returned to the live stage. A founding member of the Stage Society, Helen performed in such plays as "The Golden Fleece" (1968). In the 1970s, she could still be glimpsed occasionally on film and TV. She died of complications from cancer on March 17, 1998, at age 70, far away from the limelight. There were no reported survivors.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Vivacious, hazel-eyed, strawberry-haired Jean Kent was a popular star of British films in the 1940's and early 50's. The daughter of variety performers Norman Field and Nina Norre, she was convent-educated. By the age of ten, she accompanied her mother on tour, then spent several years in the chorus line at London's Windmill Theatre in the West End. Having honed her acting skills on the provincial repertory stage, Jean signed with Gainsborough Pictures in 1943. Her first noteworthy performance was in Man of Evil (1944) for which she received fifth billing. Through sheer determination and hard work, she quickly moved up the ladder to integral roles as willful 'scarlet women' in juicy melodramas. These were often parts other leading actresses refused to play, point in case her gypsy wildcat Rosal in Caravan (1946), considered even by Margaret Lockwood as 'too awful'. Using her training to best advantage, Jean performed some striking dance numbers in the film.
She was the femme fatale wartime audiences loved to hate, an early British sex symbol, most effectively paired with the likes of Stewart Granger or James Mason. In one of her best-remembered performances, Jean took sole limelight as the titular star of the cautionary drama Good-Time Girl (1948), as a juvenile delinquent who falls in with spivs and gangsters and ends up in prison. However, within just a few years, Jean's box-office appeal had waned, possibly attributable to having portrayed a woman ten years older than herself in The Browning Version (1951) (though the film itself was a box-office and critical success). Her remaining screen career was thereafter confined to appearances on the small screen, from the much-derided soap opera Crossroads (1964), to playing Queen Elizabeth I in the excellent Sir Francis Drake (1961) or as Daphne Goodlace, potential seductress of both Albert and Harold, in Steptoe and Son (1962).- Pitt Herbert was born on 25 September 1914 in New York City, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for The Search for the Evil One (1967), Lost in Space (1965) and Dear Brigitte (1965). He was married to Helen Emily Truesdell. He died on 23 June 1989 in Edmonds, Washington, USA.
- Myra Hindley was born on 23 July 1942 in Crumpsall, Manchester, England, UK. She died on 16 November 2002 in Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, England, UK.
- Jody Loomis was born on 5 June 1952. She died on 23 August 1972 in Edmonds, Washington, USA.
- Donna J. Dickson was born on 17 June 1954 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, USA. She was an actress, known for Rain Man (1988). She was married to Warren Dickson. She died on 26 May 2011 in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA.
- Actor
- Music Department
- Composer
Elton Hayes was born on 16 February 1915 in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, England, UK. He was an actor and composer, known for Enchanted (2007), The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952) and The Splendid Spur (1960). He died on 23 September 2001 in Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, England, UK.- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Production Manager
- Camera and Electrical Department
Lee Lukather was born on 1 June 1903 in New York City, New York, USA. Lee was an assistant director and production manager, known for Daredevils of the Clouds (1948), Zero Hour! (1957) and The Professionals (1966). Lee was married to Dorothy Jane Cass and Phyllis Pinto. Lee died on 28 June 1989 in Edmonds, Washington, USA.- Jodi Wexler was born on 28 January 1945 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. She was an actress, known for The Love Machine (1971). She died on 23 July 2013 in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA.
- Children's Television Host, Entertainer. He was a beloved Seattle TV icon, known to legions of loyal fans as J. P. (Julius Pierpont) Patches, Mayor of the City Dump. He hosted the longest running locally produced television show for children in U.S. history, airing for 23 years on Seattle's KIRO-TV from 1958 to 1981. During the peak of its popularity "The J. P. Patches Show" was viewed by a daily audience of over 100,000 "Patches Pals" throughout the greater Seattle metropolitan area. He began his career as a floor director for WMIN-TV in the twin cities of St. Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota following a brief broadcast career at a local radio station. His early responsibilities at WMIN which eventually became WTCN-TV included directing religious programming, farm reports and movie inserts for live television. Following a successful directorial period he moved in front of the camera as an on air talent, appearing as host of several children's programs, portraying the characters "Captain 11," "Chuckwagon Chuck," "Captain Squint" and "Joe the Cook" in "Joe's Popcorn Party" before landing the part of J. P. Patches. The "J. P. Patches Show" originally aired in Minneapolis and featured Daryl Laub in the original J. P. Patches role. Wedes assumed the title role in 1955 after Laub left WTCN for another broadcasting position at a rival TV station. In 1958 Wedes moved his family to the Pacific Northwest after accepting a job offer from Fred Kauffman, a former WTCN coworker to do children's programs for Seattle's KIRO television. The "J. P. Patches Show" debuted in Seattle during the second week of February in 1958, and was the stations first live and locally produced program to be broadcast in color. During the program's two plus decade run, Wedes appeared in over 10,000 locally produced episodes establishing himself as one of the regions most recognized, revered and enduring cultural icons. In 1960 he was joined by Bob Newman who alongside Wedes played the popular characters of "Gertrude," "Ketchikan the Animal Man," "Ggoorrsstt the Friendly Frpl," "Boris S. Wort (The Second Meanest Man in the World)" and over a dozen other characters. Newman would remain with Wedes until the shows cancellation in September of 1981. Many well known public celebrities would become frequent visitors to the show over the years, representing a cross section of the arts, sports and science. Notable guest stars to appear on the program included Steve Allen, Jane Meadows, Danny Thomas, Clayton Moore, Jack LaLane, Jacques Cousteau, Burt Ward, Jesse Owens, Debbie Reynolds, Slim Pickens, Tiny Tim and Colonel Harlan Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame. Following the end of the "Patches Show," both Wedes and Newman remained in high demand for personal appearances, often seen together at various civic activities, county fairs, concerts, parades, children's hospitals and private birthday functions. Wedes served as one of the primary inspirations for Matt Groening's "Krusty the Clown," a cartoon character featured on the Fox Network's animated series "The Simpsons." His notable achievements in broadcasting include Emmy's for "Best Children's Program," "Best Performer," "Best Personality," the 1992 National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle Award, and the 2008 Golden Circle Award. He made his final public appearance on September 17, 2011 at the Fishermen's Fall Festival in the Ballard community of Seattle. He died following a long illness from complications of blood cancer at the age of 84.
- Mark Hayes was born on 12 July 1949 in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA. He was married to Jana. He died on 17 July 2018 in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA.
- Norah Lofts was born on 27 August 1904 in Shipdham, Norfolk, England, UK. She was a writer, known for Jassy (1947), 7 Women (1965) and Guilt Is My Shadow (1950). She was married to Robert Jorisch and Geoffrey Lofts. She died on 10 September 1983 in Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, England, UK.
- Producer
- Writer
Jerry Bredouw was born on 8 September 1919 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. He was a producer and writer, known for The Bold Ones: The Lawyers (1969) and Appointment with Destiny (1971). He was married to Patricia M. Woody, Julie Bennett and Barbara Wade. He died on 2 November 2017 in Edmonds, Washington, USA.- Paul Castle was born on 2 August 1923 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He was an actor, known for The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950). He died on 23 January 2010 in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA.
- Colette O'Neil was born on 24 October 1895 in Castewellan Castle, County Down, Ireland. She was an actress, known for Hindle Wakes (1918). She was married to Miles Malleson. She died on 5 October 1975 in Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, England, UK.
- Nellie Fisher was born on 10 December 1920 in Berkeley, California, USA. She was an actress, known for Up in Central Park (1948), Thru the Crystal Ball (1949) and America Song (1948). She died on 19 October 1994 in Edmonds, Washington, USA.
- Writer
- Producer
David Wagoner was born on 5 June 1926 in Massillon, Ohio, USA. He was a writer and producer, known for Sunday Town Music Project, The Escape Artist (1982) and Thoreau and the Lightning (2012). He was married to Robin Seyfried. He died on 18 December 2021 in Edmonds, Washington, USA.- Terrence Miller was born on 26 December 1941. He died on 9 November 2020 in Edmonds, Washington, USA.
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Cinematographer
Donald Biddle Keyes was born on 17 February 1894 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was a cinematographer, known for Everybody's Acting (1926), Diplomacy (1926) and Maid to Order (1931). He died in November 1974 in Edmonds, Washington, USA.- Magne Nes was born on 18 June 1936 in Karmøy, Norway. He died on 20 July 2022 in Edmonds, Washington, USA.
- Bob Throndsen was born on 2 May 1947 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA. He died on 4 February 2023 in Edmonds, Washington, USA.
- Dennis Bennett was born on 28 October 1917 in England, UK. He was married to Rita Marie Reed and Elberta. He died on 1 November 1991 in Edmonds, Washington, USA.
- Location Management
- Production Manager
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ray Freeborn was born on 9 October 1941 in Brentford, Middlesex, England, UK. Ray was a production manager and assistant director, known for Highlander (1986), Casualties of War (1989) and Keeping Mum (2005). Ray was married to Joan Marilyn Barber. Ray died in 2012 in Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, England, UK.- J. Howard Edmondson was born on 27 September 1925 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA. He was married to Jeannette Bartleson. He died on 17 November 1971 in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA.
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Cinematographer
Geoff Meldrum was born on 4 June 1918 in Hampstead, London, England, UK. He was a cinematographer, known for Thunderbirds (1965), The Girl in the Picture (1957) and Supercar (1961). He died in January 1997 in Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, England, UK.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
John Maisch was born on 16 April 1970 in Duluth, Minnesota, USA. He was a director and writer, known for Sober Indian Dangerous Indian (2014). He was married to Julia Self. He died on 3 March 2022 in Edmond, Oklahoma, USA.