My folks were both in show biz....they were with the U.S.O. during the end of, and after, WWII. Mom was a Rockette and a tap dancer. Dad was a singer/songwriter/comedian/emcee...
We met Mike and Dodie and Mark through mutual friends when we moved out to So. Cal. in the late 50's. Our friends son Victor went to school with Dodie's son Mark {Mike adopted him}. Believe it or not, back then, even little kids like me could go to Hollywood parties.
There was an agent who had parties for the TV western actors--plus people like Lloyd Bridges of Sea Hunt--a few times a year. The Bonanza guys would be there along with people like Doug McClure and other TV western "stars". Mike and Dad got pretty close---they went to Dodger ball games together.
And when Mike wanted to record an album {ALL the TV stars back then wanted to record albums! Richard Chamberlain, Vince Edwards, etc.}, he wanted Dad to write the songs and play piano on them. Didn't get much past the talking stage, though, unfortunately.
Mike was a great guy. Fun, nice, loved kids--paid a lot of attention to a little 9 year old girl, following him around with her mouth wide open all the time! lol
He was incredibly handsome in person. After one party, he and Dodie were leaving, but he turned, walked all the way down the hallway, and gave me a nice big kiss on the cheek.
Needless to say, I didn't wash that part of my body for LONG time. He would send autographed pictures in the mail for me and my friends too.
Dan Blocker was the sweetest man I just about ever met. Just as HUGE and gentle and a big teddy bear. His premature death was so hard to take. And Mike and Dan were very close---I know it tore him up too.
Mom and Dad got to work with a lot of cool people--most of them before they were really famous---Doris Day, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop.....and not long ago, Dad told me he worked with Bela Lugosi once! lol Of course, this was WAY past his prime as a "monster". But, they had an interesting life....
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RIP Pernell Roberts (Read 844 times)
