TV Stars Who Died in 2006

During 2006, we lost some of the TV stars who were the pioneers, the ones who took a chance on the new medium, when it was not even sure that it would succeed. Take some time to remember them, and the good times they bought us over the years.

Dennis Weaver June 4, 1924- Died February 24 2006( Cancer)
Dennis Weaver was in movies and on the stage, but what most of us remember him for are his three staring TV rolls, as the deputy in Gunsmoke, a bears best friend in Gentle Ben and Mc Cloud, where he was a Texas lawman working in New York Among his numerous guest roles are appearances in Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Lonesome Dove and Magnum PI and many, many others. He also served as President of Screen Actors Guild (SAG) from 1973-1975. Dennis is survived by his wife of 61 years, Gerry his three children, Robby, Rick and Rusty and 3 grandchildren Jennifer, Travis and Jess.

Al Lewis April 30, 1923 - Died February3, 2006)
Al Lewis is known to generations of viewers as Grandpa Munster and became know forever after as Grandpa Al Lewis. He even tired to use that name when he ran for political office, but it was deemed illegal. He began his in burlesque and vaudeville theaters. His first well-known television role was as Officer Leo Schnauser on Car 54, Where Are You? from 1961 to 1963, which stared Fred Gwynne, Herman Munster. He is survived by his second wife Karen Ingenthron, his three sons from his first marriage to Marge Domowitz and four grandchildren.

Don Knotts July 21, 1924 - Died February 24, 2006
Oh course we all remember Don Knotts as Barney Fife and/or Ralph Furley. He also stared opposite Andy Griffith in No Time For Sergeants, both on Broadway and in the movie. Other movies were The Incredible Mr. Limpet
Move Over, Darling and It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World Recently he had been doing a variety of cartoon voices and had many guest rolls in innumerable tv shows. He is survived by his third wife, Frances Yarborough, and two sons from his first marriage.