Category: TV

Norman Jewison died on January 20, 2024.  He was 97.

Norman Jewison served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II,  After the war, Mr. Jewison attended Victoria College in the University of Toronto.  He graduated with a B.A. in 1949.

He then moved to London where he worked as a bit actor and script writer for children’s programing.  He moved back to Canada in 1951.  He got work as a writer, director and producer of musicals, comedy-variety shows, dramas, and specials for the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).

In 1958, Norman Jewison began working for NBC, directing Your Hit Parade and The Andy WIlliams Show.  Specials for Harry Belafonte, Jackie Gleason, Danny Kaye and Judy Garland followed.  The first feature film that Mr. Jewison directed was 40 Pounds of Trouble starring Tony Curtis, Phil Silvers and Suzanne Pleshette.  For the remainder of his career, Norman Jewison alternated between television projects and feature films.

Norman Jewison was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director three times.  Films he directed were nominated for a Best Picture Academy Award four times.

Television projects directed by Norman Jewison include: The Big Review; Your Hit Parade (2 episodes); The Chevy Showroom Starring Andy Williams (3 episodes); The Big Party (2 episodes); An Hour with Danny Kaye; Belafonte, New York 19; The Judy Garland Show and Dinner with Friends.

Feature films directed by Norman Jewison include: 40 Pounds of Trouble; The Cincinnati Kid; The Russians Are Coming the Russians are Coming; In the Heat of the Night; The Thomas Crown Affair; Fiddler on the Roof; Jesus Christ Superstar; Rollerball; F.I.S.T.; And Justice For All; Best Friends; A Soldier’s Story; Agnes of God; Moonstruck and The Hurricane.

Norman Jewison could direct any genre of movie.  My favorite Norman Jewison films are In the Heat of the Night, F.I.S.T., And Justice for All and A Soldier’s Story.  They are so good, it’s tough to pick just one and don’t sleep on any of his films!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Norman Jewison’s family, friends and fans.

It has been announced that Lynn Marta died January 11, 2024, from cancer.  Ms. Marta was 78.

Lynn Marta began her professional acting career with a guest spot on the television show, Gidget starring Sally Field.  Throughout the rest of her nearly 40 year career, Ms. Marta appeared on television and in feature films.

Some of Lynn Marta’s television appearances include: Gidget; The Monkees; Then Came Bronson; Love American Style (18 episodes); Dan August; Cannon (tv movie); Mod Squad; The Roookies; Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law; The F.B.I. (4 episodes); Gunsmoke; Assignment: Vienna; Cannon (2 episodes); Genesis II; Marcus Welby, M.D.; Insight (2 episodes); Kojak; Adams of Eagle Lake (2 episodes); Medical Center (4 episodes); The Streets of San Francisco (2 episodes); Barnaby Jones (4 episodes); Starsky and Hutch (4 episodes); The Rockford Files; CHiPs; The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo; Charlie’s Angels (3 episodes); Vega$ (2 episodes); Trapper John, M.D. (2 episodes); Matt Houston; Knight Rider; Designing Women (2 episodes); Law & Order; The Young and the Restless; ER; Days of Our Lives (24 episodes) and American Dreams.

Some of Lynn Marta’s feature film appearances include: Red Sky at Morning; Joe Kidd; 43: The Richard Petty Story; Footloose and The First Power.

I’m not sure when I first saw Lynn Marta.  It was probably in her appearance on The Monkees.  She sure did act in many of the shows I regularly watched.  What a career she had!

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joyce Randolph’s family, friends and fans.

It has been reported that Cindy Morgan, born born Cynthia Ann Cichorski, was found dead of natural causes at her home in Lake Worth Beach, Florida, on December 30, 2023.  Ms. Morgan was 69.

While in college Cindy Cichorski was invited by a local station to report news for them.  At that point she took adopted the professional name Cindy Morgan.  After graduation she worked as a weather reporter before deciding to move to LA.  She became the Irish Spring girl in advertisements and soon landed her first feature film role as Lacey Underall in Caddyshack.  Ms. Morgan would continue to work in feature films and television roles for the remainder of her career.  When she retired from acting, Ms. Morgan could be found making personal appearances at conventions across the country.

Some of Cindy Morgan’s television appearances include: The Love Boat; Vega$; CHiPs (3 episodes); Bring ‘Em Back Alive (13 episodes); The Fall Guy; Amazing Stories; The Magical World of Disney; Falcon Crest (16 episodes); Matlock (3 episodes); Hunter (2 episodes); Harry and the Hendersons and The Larry Sanders Show.

Some of Cindy Morgan’s feature film appearances include: Caddyshack and Tron.

My favorite Cindy Morgan role was as Lacey Underall in Caddyshack.  I met Cindy Morgan at a Tampa Comic Convention back in 2005.  As I said then, Ms. Morgan was humble and polite.  Fans loved her.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cindy Morgan’s family, friends and fans.