Der Kommissar - page 43

James Thurston “Jim” Nabors –
Actor, singer, Hollywood hayseed.
June 12, 1930 – November 30, 2017.
Aged 87 years.

Most recognized for: Nabors is best known for playing Gomer Pyle… Mayberry’s slack-jawed mechanic turned marine corp embarrassment. After “Andy Griffith” and “U.S.M.C,” Jim was all over the television throughout the 70’s, even hosting a few variety/talk shows of his own. His longest running appearance, however, was at the Indy 500. For a 40+ year run, they wheeled his goofy ass into the Brickyard to sing the Indiana state anthem before the race… a confusing tradition.

Walter Maynard “Bud” Moore –
NASCAR legend, WWII vet, farmer.
May 25, 1925 – November 27, 2017.
Aged 92 years.

Most recognized for: Bud survived the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge to return to the sticks of North Carolina… where he fixed up & sold cars used in moonshine running. So, the transition to NASCAR came naturally. Bud had 63 wins in his 37 year career as a team owner and has been inducted into just about every goddamned Hall of Fame dedicated to the “sport” of driving in a circle.

Julio Oscar Mechoso –
Actor, Cuban, faux Miami vice.
May 31, 1955 – November 25, 2017.
Aged 62 years.

Most recognized for: A Cuban-born Miami native, he made loads of small appearances in film & TV over the past 35 years, including “Miami Vice” and “Grindhouse.” Working with what he was given, he often appeared as a Cuban character… sometimes a cop… a Cuban cop… but usually a Cuban. He was last seen clutching a pork sandwich with mustard, cheese, and pickles. Not really… but like Julio, we’re working with what we have.

Rance Howard –
Actor, Okie, Opie’s real dad.
November 17, 1928 – November 25, 2017.
Aged 89 years.

Most recognized for: Rance was a touring stage actor who started to land some TV roles in the late fifties. Soon after, his young son Ron leapfrogged him, becoming a huge child star on a popular sit-com.  Although pops still managed to get gigs on his own, he did his fair share of milking his little cash cow… even lending a teat to younger brother/mutant-offspring Clint.  Both made guest appearances on “The Andy Griffith Show,” and in just about every movie Ron ever made.  Coat tail ridin’ muthafukkahs.

Wayne Cochran –
Singer, producer, blue-eyed soul man.
July 12, 1939 – November 21, 2017.
Aged 78 years.

Most recognized for: This freakshow with the insane pompadour gave us the golden oldie “Last Kiss” in 1961.  He & his backing band – known as the C.C. Riders – became the house act at multiple vegas casinos… allowing Wayne to give fashion advice to new friend Elvis Presley.  Enter the jumpsuit & cape era.  Later, Wayne returned to Miami & became an evangelist minister… where the spirit ultimately moved him… to a hole in the ground.

Jon Hendricks –
Singer, WWII vet, bejazzler .
September 16, 1921 – November 22, 2017.
Aged 96 years.

Most recognized for: Jazz used to strictly be instrumental music for self-absorbed dope addicts, but then this dude came along & started adding lyrics… inventing a style known as vocalese. Referred to by various sources as “the poet laureate of jazz,” “the James Joyce of jive,” and “the best jazz singer on the planet,” we’ll just call him deceased.

Terry Glenn –
NFL Pro Bowler, Ex-Pat, troublemaker.
July 23, 1974 – November 20, 2017.
Aged 43 years.

Most recognized for: A former walk-on for Ohio State, Terry was drafted by the Patriots in 1996, and what followed was a record setting rookie season. In 2001, he was the first player to catch a Tom Brady NFL touchdown. Then, in typical fashion, came the trouble with money, drugs, theft, public urination, etc. He flipped his car just outside of Dallas and was ruled down for the last time.

Warren “Pete” Moore –
Singer, songwriter, party pooper.
November 19, 1939 – November 19, 2017.
Aged 78 years.

Most recognized for: Pete sang bass in 50’s soul supergroup The Miracles. With his bandmate & childhood friend Smokey Robinson, he co-wrote & recorded some of Motown’s most celebrated hits. But when it comes time to celebrating his own birthday, ol’ Pete can be a real Buzz Killington.

David Cassidy –
Actor, singer, Partridge.
April 12, 1950 – November 21, 2017.
Aged 67 years.

Most recognized for: He was the oldest in a quintet of musical siblings known as The Partridge Family. Their popular early 70’s primetime sitcom made a teen idol of Cassidy… whose maniacally pubescent fans caused riots, deadly gate stampedes, and his near deportation from Australia. Complications of dementia ultimately claimed David, while Danny Bonaduce lives on… and on.

Della Reese –
Singer, actress, holy roller.
July 6, 1931 – November 19, 2017.
Aged 86 years.

Most recognized for: A musical child prodigy turned adult recording artist, she cut over a dozen albums & had a #1 single in 1959. 10 years later, her own TV talk show became the launch pad for a career in TV & film. Although most couch potatoes would know her as angel boss Tess on “Touched By an Angel,” we remember her best as B.A.’s mother on “The A-Team” and for her fight scene with Eddie Murphy in “Harlem Nights”… which resulted in a lost pinky toe.

Earle Hyman –
Actor, voice talent, Huxtable.
October 11, 1926 – November 17, 2017.
Aged 91 years.

Most recognized for: He made some scratch as the voice of warrior/mechanic Panthro in the original “Thundercats” cartoon series. However, Earle’s fat cat status came with playing Heathcliff Huxtable’s father Russell on “The Cosby Show,” a role which earned him an Emmy nomination. Unmarried & childless, he wound up in a room full of rocking chairs at a home for aging actors.

Lonnie Melvin “Mel” Tillis –
Singer, songwriter, stutterer.
August 8, 1932 – November 19, 2017.
Aged 85 years.

Most recognized for: Mel got his start writing hits for other artists… & later found his own fame as a country crooner, in spite of a nasty speech impediment. Burger chain Whataburger shamefully took advantage of both in the 80’s, pimping Mel’s stammering in some cringe-inducing ad campaigns. Shitty TV spots aside, he had 6 number 1 hits, including “Coca-Cola Cowboy“… which might as well have been just another crummy commercial.