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2009 | 2008 | 2000 | 1999 | 1997

3 articles from 2009

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Magician/Actor Ballantine Dead At 92

5 November 2009 2:06 PM, PST | WENN | See recent WENN news »

Comedy magician and actor Carl Ballantine has died of natural causes at his home in the Hollywood Hills. He was 92.

A U.S. TV favourite, Ballantine became beloved for his cabaret act on variety shows but he's perhaps best remembered as Lester Gruber on 1960s sitcom McHale's Navy, which also featured Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway.

Billed as The Amazing Ballantine, the actor played an inept illusionist on shows like the Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show.

He received a Lifetime Achievement Fellowship from the Magic Castle in Hollywood in 2007.

Funnyman Steve Martin, who presented Ballantine with the honour, tells the Los Angeles Times newspaper, "Carl Ballantine influenced not only myself but a generation of magicians and comedians. His was also the most copied act by a host of amateurs and professionals."

Another fan, David Copperfield, tells the Times, "Carl Ballantine created comedy magic. The combination of magic and comedy had perhaps been done before, but he truly defined it and made it his own." »

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Michael J. Fox wins Emmy No. 5 for 'Rescue Me'

13 September 2009 10:23 AM, PDT | Gold Derby | See recent Gold Derby news »

Michael J. Fox won his first Emmy on the drama side for a recurring role on "Rescue Me" as the wheelchair-bound boyfriend of Denis Leary's ex. Fox had contended in this guest actor category in 2006 for a guest spot on "Boston Legal" (he lost to Christian Clemenson on that same show). Fox's four other Emmy wins came for comedy - three consecutive lead actor awards for "Family Ties" (1986-1988) and another for his final season on "Spin City" in 2000.

Fox's competition this year was formidable. Edward Asner picked up his 17th Emmy bid for an appearance on "CSI: NY." Asner already owns seven Emmys won across four categories. Oscar champ Ernest Borgnine ("Marty") was the 21st performer to nab a guest acting nod for an appearance on "ER."  Borgnine also lost his previous two Emmy bids (1963 lead actor, "McHale's Navy"; 1980 supporting actor movie/mini, "All Quiet on the Western Front »

- tomoneil

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'Lost In Space' actor Bob May dies

19 January 2009 11:51 AM, PST | Digitalspy | See recent digitalspy news »

Bob May has died from congestive heart failure in LA at the age of 69. The veteran actor and stuntman was best known for playing The Robot in the 1960s TV show Lost In Space. May also appeared in films with Jerry Lewis and TV shows such as The Time Tunnel, McHale's Navy and The Red Skelton Show during his acting and stunt career. Lost In Space matriarch June Lockhart said: "He always said he got the job because he fit in the robot suit. It was one of those wonderful (more) »

- By Sarah Rollo

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2009 | 2008 | 2000 | 1999 | 1997

3 articles from 2009

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