Farewell…Eugene Polley

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Eugene Polley, inventor

Couch potatoes should take a moment today and thank Eugene Polley, the inventor of the first wireless TV remote, for endless hours of channel surfing. Polley died May 20 of natural causes. He was 96.

In 1955, Polley, then an engineer for Zenith, developed the first gun-shaped wireless Flash-Matic, which pointed a beam of light at photo cells in the corners of the television screen. Each pump of the Flash-Matic’s trigger could change the channel or volume on their sets. Polley spent 47-years at Zenith and earned 18 TV-related patients. Along with fellow Zenith engineer Bob Alder, he was honored in 1997 with an Emmy for their pioneering work in TV remotes.

Farewell and a heartfelt thank you Mr. Polley.

Farewell…George Lindsey

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George Lindsey, actor

It is with a heavy heart TTC bids farewell to the man who graced our television screens for almost 30 years as the beanie-wearing grinning Goober. George Lindsey died early Sunday morning after a brief illness. He was 83.

From 1964 to 1993 Lindsey protrayed Goober Pyle, the service station attendant who appeared on “The Andy Griffith Show,” then its successor, “Mayberry RFD” and finally “Hee Haw.”

Although he was best known as Goober, Lindsey had other TV credits, including on “The Rifleman,” “‘CHIPs,” and “Twilight Zone.”

Lindsey is survived by his companion Anne Wilson, two children and two grandchildren.

Farewell…Jonathan Frid

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Jonathan Frid, Actor

Jonathan Frid, who played Barnabas Collins on the daytime soap opera Dark Shadows died last week of natural causes. He was 87.

Born in Canada, Frid spent 30 years doing live theater, but it was his portrayal of the deeply conflicted vampire on the gothic soap opera from 1966-71 about odd, supernatural goings-on at a family estate in Maine that earned him a place in TV culture. In fact, Frid even has a cameo in Johnny Depp’s upcoming comical movie remake of the TV show.

Farewell Jonathan.

Farewell … Dick Clark

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Dick Clark, TV Icon

Even in recent years, while in poor health due to a stroke, I very much enjoyed tuning in to New Years Rocking Eve – just to share that moment with the legendary Dick Clark. It’s going to be a bittersweet New Years Eve this year. To make things worse, Ryan Seacrest will be very melodramatic I’m sure.

According to Hollywood Reporter, Dick Clark dies this morning after suffering a massive heart attack. The “perpetual teenager” was 82 years old.

Farewell sir! You will be missed!

Farewell…Mike Wallace

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Mike Wallace, Journalist

News journalist Mike Wallace, well known for his hard hitting questions and interviews on “60 Minutes,” died Saturday. He was 93.

Wallace was an original correspondent for the CBS news magazine back in 1968 when it debuted. He retired in 2006 as a regular full time correspondent, but continued to appear on the show on occasion until his final interview in 2008 with baseball star Roger Clemens on his alleged steroid use.

Before his start on “60 Minutes,” Wallace was a versatile broadcaster spending the 1940s and 50s appearing on radio and television programs as announcer, reporter, actor and even game show host. It wasn’t until “Nightbeat” and later “The Mike Wallace Interview” on ABC in the late 1950s when Wallace perfected his interrogation interviewing style we grew to know on CBS.

Wallace is survived by his wife, son, stepdaughter, two stepsons, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Farewell Mr. Wallace. Thanks for always asking the tough questions.

Farewell… Davy Jones

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Davy Jones, Singer/Actor

It’s with a heavy heart TTC bids farewell to the lead singer on one of the best pop groups created for television. Davy Jones died today at his home of a massive heart attack. He was 66.

Born in the U.K, Jones rose to fame in the U.S. while starring as the lead singer of “The Monkees,” made to be an American version of the Beatles. The show of the same name aired on NBC from 1966-1968. Jones is probably best remembered as singing lead vocals on songs like “I Wanna Be Free” and “Daydream Believer.” Thought the show was short lived, Jones continued to tour with the other Monkees for a time.

Many may also remember Jones from a popular episode of “The Brady Bunch,” in which he makes an appearance as himself at Marcia Brady’s school dance where Marcia, president of her school’s Davy Jones Fan Club, promised she could get him to appear before her classmates.

Farewell…Ian Abercrombie

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Ian Abercrombie, Actor

The British actor who played Elaine’s boss Mr. Pitt on “Seinfeld,” died last Friday from complications of kidney failure He was 77.

Abercrombie, who had recently been diagnosed with lymphoma, was a veteran British stage and screen actor who began his career as a dancer. He appeared in the film “Army of Darkness” and on such TV shows as “Wizards of Waverly Place” and “Birds of Prey,” in which he played Alfred Pennyworth. Abercrombie was also the voice of Chancellor Palpatine in the animated TV series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”

He is survived by his brothers, Douglas, Donald and Alex.

Farewell…Robert Hegyes

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Robert Hegyes, Actor

Robert Hegyes, best known for playing Jewish Puerto Rican student Juan Epstein in “Welcome Back Kotter” has died. He was 60.

Hegyes and nearly all of the original cast members reunited last year at the TV Land Awards to recognize the show’s 35th anniversary. He followed his role on “Kotter” by playing Detective Manny Esposito on “Cagney and Lacey.” Hegyes was a graduate of Rowan University in southern New Jersey, where he returned on occasion to teach master classes in acting.

Hegyes leaves behind three siblings, two children and two step-children. You will be missed Epstein.

Farewell…Harry Morgan

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…Harry Morgan, Actor

Harry Morgan, an Emmy-winning character actor best known for playing Colonel Potter in the television series “M*A*S*H,” died today at his home in Los Angeles. He was 96.

Morgan appeared in more than 100 movies, mostly in supporting roles, but also appeared frequently on many television shows. Before his memorable role as Colonel Sherman T. Potter, commander of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital unit in Korea on “M*A*S*H,” Morgan was a fixture on TV from the ’50s to ’70s. He played Pete Porter in both “December Bride” and “Pete and Gladys”, Detective Bill Gannon on “Dragnet”, and Amos Coogan on “Hec Ramsey.”

Morgan is survived by his second wife, Barbara, and four sons from both marriages: Chris, Charlie, Paul and Danny. May you rest in peace Harry Morgan.

Farewell…Patrice O’Neal

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…Patrice O’Neal, Comedian

Comedian Patrice O’Neal died today in New York from complications after suffering a stroke last month. He was 41.

O’Neal appeared on Conan O’Brien’s and David Letterman’s late night TV shows and was also a frequent guest on the “Opie & Anthony” radio show on Sirius XM. He also appeared on Comedy Central’s celebrity roasts. In fact, O’Neal’s performance was a highlight of last summer’s roast of Charlie Sheen.

Some may remember O’Neal from his TV guest spots, including “The Office,” where he played warehouse worker Lonny (or as Kelly affectionately called him, “sea monster”). O’Neal is survived by his wife, Vondecarlo, his step daughter Aymilyon and sister Zinder.