Last Remaining Cast Members

[Loach]

@Jay_Z

@Qadgop_the_Mercotan

@silenus The standards you quote seem like the current-day ones. Back over half a century ago, they were not so stringent. Even then, during wartime they threw out the rules/requirements for training. I worked with a doc whose med school class was rushed through in 3 years, and then right after that they were all sent out to MASH units in WW II. Residencies, fellowships likewise got shortened, or the student/doc just got yanked out of them. My senior attendings back in med school (1979-83) were often WW II docs who got pushed through accelerated curriculums, went to war, and considered themselves lucky to get into private practice when the war was over. Many did get called up again for Korea.

A qualified chest cutter back in that era might have done a general surgery internship where he got to do a bunch of thoracic cases.

As far as getting called up again, my dim understanding of the process is that it was highly parochial and political.

Ted Williams, the baseball player, got called up for Korea after already missing three years of his career for World War II. This was not a particularly common process; few if any other players that had served in WWII were called back. Williams also was unusual in that he actually saw combat as a pilot, unlike others such as Joe DiMaggio who spent their service time playing baseball on base teams.

Williams remained in the Inactive Reserves and was called up due to that status. I am assuming Inactive Reserves were people willing to remain on such a callup list without actively continuing training. Williams did not continue to fly or maintain any skills post WWII. Williams complained at the time that the Active Reserves (people actually meeting and practicing) were bypassed in favor of the Inactive Reserves. One can only imagine that the Active Reserves contained people bypassing actual service and obtaining their positions through political connections, consequently the Armed Services “overlooking” this available force in favor of the Inactive Reserves.

Williams was offered a chance to play service ball but opted to enter into combat again. The offer to play service ball, which obviously would have required procurement of another actual pilot, again perhaps indicates the political nature of the process of who exactly was called up, or called up again.

There was no opting to enter combat again. Ted Williams saw no combat in WWII. He did fly combat missions in Korea. As for calling up inactive verses active, it’s complicated. It has nothing to do with politically important people being in the reserves. The amount of those activated and the length of activation depends on what level of national emergency is called. In cases of less than full mobilizations it’s often legally easier to call up inactives than it is to mobilize active guard and reserves. It’s also easier to pick and chose people with needed individual skills.

[Gatopescado]

@Elmer_J.Fudd

As far as I can tell, Carl Anthony , one of the cops from Plan 9 from Outer Space , is still alive. I don’t think there are any other survivors.

Bela Lugosi didn’t even survive to start filming!

[running_coach]

@Gatopescado

@Elmer_J.Fudd

As far as I can tell, Carl Anthony , one of the cops from Plan 9 from Outer Space , is still alive. I don’t think there are any other survivors.

Bela Lugosi didn’t even survive to start filming! -

Some people have all the luck.

[Loach]

To go along with the MASH talk, Robert Hogan died today. He played chopper pilot Smilin’ Jack Mitchell in season 4 episode 21. Not a main cast member but a memorable one from one episode.

[kenobi_65]

@Loach

To go along with the MASH talk, Robert Hogan died today. He played chopper pilot Smilin’ Jack Mitchell in season 4 episode 21.

I distinctly remember that episode – Mitchell was a diabetic, and had been hiding it in order to keep flying. Hawkeye and B.J. had figured it out, and Mitchell described his symptoms, including being thirsty all the time. When I first developed diabetes, close to 20 years ago, that scene kept replaying in my memory.

[Jay_Z]

@Loach

To go along with the MASH talk, Robert Hogan died today. He played chopper pilot Smilin’ Jack Mitchell in season 4 episode 21. Not a main cast member but a memorable one from one episode.

The character Robert Hogan from Hogan’s Heroes, as played by Bob Crane, was named after the actor Robert Hogan, who was a friend of one of the producers. Robert Hogan, the actor, appeared on Hogan’s Heroes a couple of times.

[Loach]

@kenobi_65

@Loach

To go along with the MASH talk, Robert Hogan died today. He played chopper pilot Smilin’ Jack Mitchell in season 4 episode 21.

I distinctly remember that episode – Mitchell was a diabetic, and had been hiding it in order to keep flying. Hawkeye and B.J. had figured it out, and Mitchell described his symptoms, including being thirsty all the time. When I first developed diabetes, close to 20 years ago, that scene kept replaying in my memory.

That’s the one. Jack wanted to keep pushing to get the record of most wounded flown. He also did a trick with a hypodermic needle.

[solost]

With the recent passing of Gavin MacLeod at 90, I believe the last 2 remaining core cast members of the Mary Tyler Moore Show are Ed Asner and Betty White.

This makes me feel so old. I occasionally watch MTM reruns these days on one of the broadcast retro stations, and I clearly recall seeing those same episodes when first run as a kid, watching with my parents. The MTM characters are all in their 30s and 40s then, quite a bit younger than I am now. The last 2 survivors are now in their 90s-- Asner is 91 and Betty White is 99(!).

[DesertDog]

@Gatopescado

Bela Lugosi didn’t even survive to start filming!

His last thoughts, So much for that tontine…

[Guest-starring_Id]

The cast of Get a Life is stil going strong, save for comic great Bob Elliot, who passed away from lubng cancer in 2016.

[Chefguy]

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. only had a few leading actors, but a lot of guest shots. Of the main actors, only David McCallum survives. One of the guest stars was June Lockhart, who is 95.

[SCAdian]

@Chefguy

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. only had a few leading actors, but a lot of guest shots. Of the main actors, only David McCallum survives.

Post #123.

[Chefguy]

Dang. Did a search, too.

[Loach]

With the death of Clarence Williams III and the earlier deaths of Peggy Lipton and Tige Andrews, Michael Cole is the only remaining regular cast member of The Mod Squad.

[flurb]

@flurb

Went to a screening of Strangers on a Train last night, and the only surviving member of the main cast is Patricia Hitchcock who played Barbara Morton.

Have to update my own post with the sad news that Patricia Hitchcock passed away on Monday at the age of 93. What an incredible life.

Pat Hitchcock, Daughter of Alfred Hitchcock Who Appeared in His Films, Dies...

[caligulathegod]

The passing of Markie Post last week and Charles Robinson last month leaves just John Larroquette, Richard Moll and Marcia Warfield from Night Court’s core cast.

[E-DUB]

Potter could have lied abut his age to get in during WW1. My dad did. (I’m 68 and he was born in 1899. He caught the tail end of the war.)

[terentii]

Holy crap! You were born when your dad was 54? I’m 66, and my dad was born in 1921. I thought 34 was an old age to have a child!

(I should talk. My daughter was conceived when I was 39.)

[Mahaloth]

@caligulathegod

The passing of Markie Post last week and Charles Robinson last month leaves just John Larroquette, Richard Moll and Marcia Warfield from Night Court’s core cast.

Wow, depressing to hear that.

[Mahaloth]

@terentii

Holy crap! You were born when your dad was 54? I’m 66, and my dad was born in 1921. I thought 34 was an old age to have a child!

My Mom’s dad was just shy of 49 when she was born and was also born in 1899.