The mysterious man who gave away $1 million each week in “The Millionaire” (CBS, 1955-60) was named John Beresford Tipton.
He was never seen; his voice was provided by Paul Frees, who also provided the voice of Boris Badenov on “The Bullwinkle Show” (ABC, NBC, 1959-63).
Television’s first teen star was Don Hastings, the teenager who played the Video Ranger, sidekick of “Captain Video” (DuMont, 1949-55).
Two actors have played Mickey Spillane’s detective Mike Hammer on TV: Darren McGavin, in “Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer” (synd., 1957-59); and Stacy Keach in “Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer” (CBS, 1984-87).
John Wayne introduced the first episode of “Gunsmoke” (CBS, 1955-75). On September 10, 1955, Wayne explained that he was not able to star in the show, but had recommended a young actor named James Arness for the part of Marshal Matt Dillon.
The announcement of President Kennedy’s assassination was made on TV at 1:40 P.M. EST on Friday, November 22, 1963. On CBS, “As the World Turns” was interrupted by Walter Cronkite with the news bulletin. Actress Helen Wagner had just been saying, “I gave it a great deal of thought, Grandpa,” when the episode was cut…
On “The Flip Wilson Show” (NBC, 1970-74), the name of the boyfriend of the character Geraldine was Killer.
Playboy centerfold Barbi Benton was Maxx, part of a rock group called Sugar, on the 1977-78 ABC TV series, “Sugar Time!”