“Forgotten Hollywood”- So Long to Orson…
Manny P. here…
“`Orson Bean was an actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He was also a long-time panelist on the television game show To Tell the Truth. An admirer of Laurel and Hardy, Bean served as a founding member of The Sons of the Desert, an international organization devoted to the duo’s career.
“`Following military service, he started working in small venues as a magician before transitioning in the early 1950s to stand-up comedy. His career took off when he adopted the stage name Orson Bean. –>
“`His acting career almost ended before it actually begun. He was placed on the Hollywood blacklist for attending Communist Party meetings while dating a member. Fortunately, live television was desperate for talent in the early era of the small screen and Orson was very available.
“`On Broadway, Bean appeared in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? Bean received a Tony nomination for his role on Subways are For Sleeping. He also voiced the title character on the concept album for You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Plus, Orson appeared in several films, including Anatomy of a Murder and Being John Malkovich.
“`In the end, television proved to be most fruitful for Bean. He was Mr. Bevis on a memorable episode of The Twilight Zone, and a regular on Mary Hartman Mary Hartman, Fernwood 2Night, and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. Orson also guest-starred Love American Style, The Love Boat, The Facts of Life, Murder She Wrote, and Diagnosis: Murder. Both Jack Paar and Johnny Carson invited him frequently on their versions of The Tonight Show.
“`Orson Bean was ninety-one.
Until next time> “never forget”
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