# Who were the most famous people when you were growing up who have completely disappeared? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 22, 2016, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761 "2016-11-22T19:33:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/61 "2016-11-23T02:41:18Z")
(I think Burt Reynolds somehow sabotaged Gary Sandy’s career, post-WKRP, because, Loni Anderson.) Here are a few names that seemed BIG BIG BIG in the past, and they just fizzled out. - Mena Suvari (from ‘American Beauty’) - I read she works as a dominatrix ? - Thora Birch, ‘Ghost World’ who is a daughter of porn stars. - ‘Fiona’, a rather homely singer who was on one episode of ‘Miami Vice’. - Edie Brickell, now Mrs. Paul Simon. The cast of Northern Exposure mostly disappeared. Oh, a few worked here and there, but other than Rob Morrow and John Corbett, that was it for them. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/62 "2016-11-23T02:42:03Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Wasn’t “Here come de Judge!” first done by Sammy Davis Jr on _ **Laugh-In** _? :dubious: 😕 > > With the exception of Goldie Hawn, the cast of that show pretty much sank into oblivion after it was cancelled, too. (I hated it, but I really, \*really \*dug JoAnne Worley! :o ) > > [http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/62/2153/640/JoAnn%20Whorley%20melons%20copy.jpg](http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/62/2153/640/JoAnn%20Whorley%20melons%20copy.jpg) Lily Tomlin had a small measure of success post _Laugh-In_. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/63 "2016-11-23T02:48:23Z")
> [@drad\_dog](#): > > I’m totally with you on this. > > I also remember around that time that there were famous people named Kelly Monteeth, and Randy Mantooth. I had never known such names existed but I thought there must be something going on somehow. I don’t know about Kelly Monteith, who I’ve never heard of. But Randolph Mantooth is of Native American descent. My wife has a huge crush on his 1970s self, and watches him on the reruns of \* Emergency\* on MeTV. I read an interview with him recently where he said that he was advised to change his name when he became an actor. He responded, “I can’t change my name. What would my father say?” ---
**Author:** ![5\_time\_champ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/278dde/32.png) [@5\_time\_champ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5_time_champ)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/64 "2016-11-23T02:55:21Z")
Some folks still alive: Doc Sevrenisen appeared in our homes almost every night as leader of NBC Orchestra on the Tonight Show for 25 years. From the Partridge Family- I wonder if Danny Bonaduce is for famous, or infamous, than Shirley Jones or even Susan Dey. Pam Dawber pretty well disappeared after Mork & Mindy to raise her and Mark Harmon’s children. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/65 "2016-11-23T03:08:14Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Lily Tomlin had a small measure of success post _Laugh-In_. And Ruth Buzzi got a small role on _ **That Girl** _. Can we think of anyone else here? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/66 "2016-11-23T03:09:44Z")
A few years ago, I had to explain to a few Millennial co-workers (a few GAY MALE Millennial co-workers) who Grace Jones was. I began by saying “She’s as 80s singer who Lady Gaga ripped off.” Some other folks who used to be BIG!!! Charles Grodin Dabney Coleman Sade Ani Difranco The entire cast of “Northern Exposure” (with the possible exception of John Corbett who appeared on “Sex and the City” for a couple of years) Rufus Wainwright Duncan Sheik Caroline Leifer Jeri Ryan Eddie Izzard ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/67 "2016-11-23T03:10:46Z")
> [@5\_time\_champ](#): > > Some folks still alive: > Doc Sevrenisen appeared in our homes almost every night as leader of NBC Orchestra on the Tonight Show for 25 years. Doc has done some promos for Johnny Carson reruns on Antenna TV. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/68 "2016-11-23T03:15:42Z")
These guys were huge mega-stars on TV when I was a kid: Milton Berle Arthur Godfrey Red Skelton Art Linkletter Jimmy Durante Steve Allen Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca All the original Mouseketeers How many of them have you even heard of? ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/69 "2016-11-23T03:15:45Z")
> [@Don\_Draper](#): > > Jeri Ryan Otherwise known as Seven of Nine on _ **ST: Voyager** _?!? :eek: Man, give me a few hours alone with her on the Holodeck before I die, _please_! :o Sorry, but I fail to see the connection (or not) between gay men and Grace Jones… 😕 ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/70 "2016-11-23T03:19:54Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > These guys were huge mega-stars on TV when I was a kid: > > Milton Berle > Arthur Godfrey > Red Skelton > Art Linkletter > Jimmy Durante > Steve Allen > Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca > All the original Mouseketeers > > How many of them have you even heard of? I remember all of them. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/71 "2016-11-23T03:22:48Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Wasn’t “Here come de Judge!” first done by Sammy Davis Jr on _ **Laugh-In** _? :dubious: 😕 Sammy made the line famous, but he appropriated it from Dewey “Pigmeat” Markham. From [here](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigmeat_Markham): > [@](#): > > His boisterous, indecorous “heyeah (here) come da judge” schtick, which made a mockery of formal courtroom etiquette, became his signature routine. Markham would sit at an elevated judge’s bench (often in a black graduation cap-and-gown, to look more impressive), and deal with a series of comic miscreants. He would often deliver his “judgments”, as well as express frustration with the accused, by leaning over the bench and smacking the accused with an inflated bladder-balloon. He had hit comedy recordings in the 1960s on Chess Records, and saw his routine’s entry line become a catchphrase on the Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In television show, as did his phrase “Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls”. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/72 "2016-11-23T03:28:01Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > These guys were huge mega-stars on TV when I was a kid: > > Milton Berle > Arthur Godfrey > Red Skelton > Art Linkletter > Jimmy Durante > Steve Allen > Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca > All the original Mouseketeers > > How many of them have you even heard of? I remember all of them too, especially \*\*Mouseketeer Doreen: \*\* 🆒 NSFW: [http://celeb.gate.cc/media/cache/original/upload/2/3/23522d8d9b.jpg](http://celeb.gate.cc/media/cache/original/upload/2/3/23522d8d9b.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/73 "2016-11-23T03:33:56Z")
> [@Don\_Draper](#): > > Dabney Coleman The Commodore (aged version) on _ **Boardwalk Empire** _. I had to watch several episodes of the show before I realized it was him. _Damn!_ :smack: ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/74 "2016-11-23T03:35:31Z")
There was a time in 1985-6 when football star “Refrigerator” Perry was all over TV: The Superbowl, Coke commercials, guest appearances on many shows. > **[William Perry (American football)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Perry_(American_football))** > > William Anthony Perry (born December 16, 1962) is an American former football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons, primarily with the Chicago Bears. Nicknamed "the Refrigerator", he played college football for the Clemson Tigers, where he was named ACC Player of the Year, and was selected by the Bears in the first round of the 1985 NFL draft. Perry gained popularity during his rookie season as a member of the 1985 Bears team that won the franchise's... > [@](#): > > As of September 23, 2015 Perry is living off a monthly social security disability check, and also gets some disability money from the NFL as he lives in an assisted living townhouse. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/75 "2016-11-23T03:40:30Z")
Judy and Audrey Landers. I don’t know if there was ever a chance of them being anything, but they were everywhere in the late 70s. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/76 "2016-11-23T03:44:31Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Judy and Audrey Landers. I don’t know if there was ever a chance of them being anything, but they were everywhere in the late 70s. I think Audrey turned up a few years ago on the latest incarnation of _ **Dallas** _. Almost as hard to recognize her as it was with Charlene Tilton. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/77 "2016-11-23T03:51:01Z")
Art Linkletter died a few years ago, aged about 100. Several years before that, he was the keynote speaking at a fundraising dinner for the domestic violence agency in the city where I was living at the time. I purchased a ticket, and ended up not going because I was sick. ☹ Whatever happened to Mr. T? Last I heard, he was doing bit parts in some of those awful low-budget Christian movies. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/78 "2016-11-23T03:56:12Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Just out of curiosity … who the hell is Heidi Montag??? 😕😕😕 [Heidi Montag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidi_Montag) is an actress (a term I’m using very loosely) who was in the MTV “reality show” [The Hills](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hills_(TV_series)). My own personal contribution to this thread would have to be [Harry Anderson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Anderson). ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/79 "2016-11-23T03:59:11Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > I always wonder in there are still adolescents who fall in love with those great old films. Once in a while, I do see a recent post on IMDb under Irene Dunne or Katharine Hepburn, that starts “I’m 17, but I love these old films…” When I was young, my mom used to love old movies, but I couldn’t see the attraction. It turns out I like them (well, I do now), I just don’t like the same ones my mom did. I go a little weak in the knees for Carole Lombard in _My Man Godfrey_. I remember in the days before VCRs that old movies would show up in theaters occasionally. I remember my mother seeing _Gone With the Wind_ sometime about the mid-'70s. When I was ten years old, a 35-year-old movie seemed ancient. _Star Wars_ is now 40-years-old. Maybe the question to ask, Rivkah, is whether today’s adolescents are crushing on a young Carrie Fisher. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761/80 "2016-11-23T04:03:42Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > [Heidi Montag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heidi_Montag) is an actress (a term I’m using very loosely) who was in the MTV “reality show” [The Hills](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hills_(TV_series)). > > My own personal contribution to this thread would have to be [Harry Anderson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Anderson). Aha! I never watch either reality shows or MTV, so it’s not surprising I’ve never heard of her. Harry Anderson, on the other hand, was great on both _ **Cheers!** _ and _ **Night Court** _. I’ll be willing to watch those until the day I die. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-the-most-famous-people-when-you-were-growing-up-who-have-completely-disappeared/772761.md?page=5)