This Week in Television History: February 2017 PART IV

As always, the further we go back in Hollywood history,
the more that fact and legend become intertwined.
It's hard to say where the truth really lies.

February 28, 1942

Frank Bonner is born Frank Woodrow Boers, Jr. 

The actor and television director is best known for playing sales manager Herb Tarlek on the television sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati.

March 2, 1917

Desi Arnaz was a born. Born into the upper-class in Cuba, ending up having to flee to the United States when the Batista regime came into power. 

While he gained international renown for leading a Latin music band, the Desi Arnaz Orchestra, he is best known for his role as Ricky Ricardo on the American TV series I Love Lucy, starring with Lucille Ball, to whom he was married at the time. He and Ball are generally credited as the inventors of the rerun in connection with the show.

March 5, 1982

John Belushi was found dead in his room, by Bill Wallace at Bungalow number 3 of the Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California. 

The cause of death was a speedball; the combined injection of cocaine and heroin. On the night of his death, he was visited separately by friends Robin Williams and Robert De Niro, each of whom left the premises, leaving Belushi in the company of assorted others, including Catherine Evelyn Smith. His death was investigated by forensic pathologist Dr. Ryan Norris among others, and while the findings were disputed, it was officially ruled a drug-related accident.

To quote the Bicentennial Minute, "And that's the way it was".

Stay Tuned

Tony Figueroa