She died in her sleep, apparently of heart failure, her publicist told the Los Angeles Times. He said her body was found by her longtime companion, Jonathan Cookson.
On Newhart, which ran on CBS from 1982 to 1990, Ms.Frann played Joanna Loudon. She also starred in the ABC series Kings Crossing (1982) and in the Jackie Collins miniseries Lucky Chances (1990) on NBC. Earlier in her career, she played Amanda Peters for four years on NBC's Days of Our Lives
Ms. Frann also appeared in the TV movies Fatal Charm (1992); Single Women, Married Men (1989); Eight Is Enough: A Family Reunion (1987), and The Hitchhiker.
Ms. Frann, who was born in St. Louis, studied drama at Northwestern University and worked as a wearther reporter for the NBC station in St. Louis. She was host of a morning show in Chicago for four years.
She is survived by two sisters and a brother.
Universal Pictures has paid widow of Theodor Geisel $9 million for the film rights of two Dr. Seuss stories, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Oh, the Places You'll Go! The studio announced that Ron Howard will direct Jim Carrey in the live-action movie of Grinch, set for a Christmass 2000 release. Daily Variety said that as part of her deal Audrey Geisel will get about 4 percent of soundtrack and merchandising sales.
Happy Birthday to Cindy Williams, Shirley Feeney, who turned 51 and Barbara Eden who's 64 (*When I'm 64*...Beatles song...nevermind).
NEW YORK (Variety) - Bob McAllister, the lively host of "Wonderama," a three-hour Sunday morning children's show of the 1960s and '70s, died of lung cancer July 21 at his home in Manhattan. He was 63.
"Wonderama," a mix of cartoons, music, games and contests, had been on the air 12 years when McAllister replaced Sonny Fox as host in 1967.
Using his background as a magician, his ventriloquist's dummy named Chauncey and even his own dog Ralph, McAllister made the show his own until it was canceled by Metromedia in 1977.
McAllister, who began performing magic and ventriloquism as a child, was rewarded with Chauncey in high school for good grades, and the dummy stayed with him through his early career.
In 1953, McAllister appeared on and won Ted Mack's "Amateur Hour." He went on to host children's TV shows in Norfolk, Va., and Baltimore before joining "Wonderama."
McAllister used his "Wonderama" theme song, "Kids Are People, Too," as the name for his next show, which debuted on ABC in 1978. The show went on to win an Emmy, but McAllister was replaced by a younger host after only a few months.
McAllister returned to magic, touring the country and lecturing. He also produced a video, "Bob McAllister's Amazing Magic," and manufactured magician's tricks.
McAllister, who was married and divorced twice, is survived by his mother, three daughters, and three grandchildren.
Reuters/Variety
Children's entertainer and popular puppeteer Shari Lewis died of pneumonia while being treated for cancer at Cedars-Sinai Hospital. The creator of such memorable puppets as Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse and Hush Puppy, Lewis won 12 Emmys for her work as a ventriloquist and children's show host. "Everyone at NBC mourns the passing of Shari Lewis, a talented
educator and entertainer who enriched the lives of millions during
her long and wonderful career. Those of us who are parents will
always look up to Shari because she always looked out for the best
interests of our children," said NBC President Don Ohlmeyer. Lewis
was 65.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Robert Young, whose death was announced Wednesday, was equally at home playing a debonair lover, a caring father or a dedicated doctor, but the man behind the actor was insecure and fought a lifelong battle with depression and alcoholism.
Best known for his lead roles in the long-running television shows "Marcus Welby, M.D.," and "Father Knows Best," Young died Tuesday night aged 91, according to a statement issued by his publicist.
He died of respiratory failure at his home in the Los Angeles suburb of Westlake, Bernstein Communications said.
"The world has lost one of its last real leading men, and I have lost my father," daughter Betty Lou Gleason said.
"When I saw Dad a couple of days ago, we had a wonderful visit. He was alert and joking, so it came as a real shock to learn he'd gone so fast."
Family members, including Young's four daughters, were immediately notified of his death and were traveling to Los Angeles. His wife of 61 years, Betty, died in 1994. A funeral and memorial service will be held in the Los Angeles area, probably next Monday, Bernstein Communications said.
During his career, Young performed on stage, in more than 100 movies and on the radio.
But he was best known for his portrayal of the steadfast, contended Jim Anderson, the loving father of three children in television's "Father Knows Best," a series that consistently rated in the top 10 during its seven years on the air.
He went on to star as the dedicated and compassionate family doctor Marcus Welby, in another hit series, "Marcus Welby, M.D." for seven years until 1976.
In contrast to his career success, Young battled alcoholism and depression throughout his life and in 1991 attempted to commit suicide.
He admitted in interviews that he felt guilty playing such upright citizens when, in his private life, he sought solace in a bottle to stave off depression.
In a 1983 interview he said, "When I became an actor I constantly felt I wasn't worthy, that I had no right to be a star."
"...I hid a black terror behind a cheerful face. Naturally, I tried to find a way out. Alcoholism was the inevitable result."
In the same interview, Young said it took him 30 years to realize he was drinking himself to death. He described his fight to beat alcoholism as "an immensely slow, difficult process, but after slipping back again and again, I at last made a kind of giant step and I was across the threshold to sanity and health."
But he slipped again in 1991 when, in a fit of drunken depression, he attached a hose from his car's exhaust pipe to the inside of the vehicle. The suicide attempt received wide publicity.
Born in Chicago on February 22, 1907, Young was one of five children. When he was 10 months old the family moved to Seattle and, 10 years later, to Los Angeles.
After graduating from high school he worked at a bank during
the day and studied acting at night. His first professional
appearance, at the age of 22, was with a touring theatrical
group at $65 a week. "Big Money in those days," he once said.
Cage courting Eddie's Father
By Dan Cox
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Nicolas Cage will produce and star in a remake of "The Courtship of Eddie's Father," the 1963 film starring Glenn Ford and Ron Howard.
Ford played a widower who struggles to find a new wife/stepmother who meets the approval of his young son (played by Howard). The film was also the basis for an ABC TV series starring Bill Bixby and Brandon Cruz that ran from 1969-72.
Cage was said to be interested in the project because he has a seven-year-old son, Weston, approximately the age of the young boy in the original picture.
No director or other talent are attached to the Warner Bros. project. Sources said Howard, now a successful director, will not be involved with the project.
The Oscar-winning star of "Leaving Las Vegas" is set to start shooting "Bringing Out the Dead" under Martin Scorsese's helm. He is also circling "Family Man" for a possible shoot in early 1999. His next film, the Brian De Palma-helmed thriller "Snake Eyes," is set for an Aug. 8 release.
Access Hollywood - NBC Barbara Eden back in her I Dream of Jeannie costume! But this time it's for a Lexus TV Commercial. "It's almost like doing the show again." says Eden, age 63. Can you tell the difference from her in 1965 and now in 1998? It'll be hard!! How she stay so fit? "I do spinning classes...and the weights." Good news for you Jeannie fans, a I Dream of Jeannie movie is already in the works. Barbara is already hinting for a part!