February 28

This Day in Humor with Mike Durrett

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Born 1894: Ben Hecht, playwright, "The Front Page." As one of Hollywood's top screenwriters: "Twentieth Century" (1934), "Nothing Sacred" (1937), "Monkey Business" (1952). Died 1964.

Born 1903: Vincente Minnelli, film director, "Meet Me in St. Louis" (1944), "Father of the Bride" (1950), "Bells Are Ringing" (1960), "The Courtship of Eddie's Father" (1963). Father of Liza Minnelli. Died 1986.

Born 1915: Zero Mostel, three-time Tony Award winner, film actor, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (1966), "The Producers" (1968), "The Front" (1976). Died 1977.

Born 1919: Don McGuire, actor and film director, but, comedically, most successful as a screenwriter, "Back at the Front" (1952), "Artists and Models" (1955), "The Delicate Delinquent" (1957), "Tootsie" (1982, story).

Born 1923: Charles Durning, actor, "Tootsie" (1982), "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" (1982), "Evening Shade" (1990-94).

Born 1930: Gavin MacLeod, actor, "McHale's Navy" (1962-64), "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970-77), "The Love Boat" (1977-86).

Born 1942: Frank Bonner, actor, best remembered as salesman Herb Tarlek on "WKRP in Cincinnati" (1978-82). Also, TV sitcom director, "Who's the Boss?" "Head of the Class," "Evening Shade," "The Mommies."

Born 1945: Bubba Smith, athlete turned actor, played Moses Hightower in the "Police Academy" movie series.

Born 1945: Tracy Keenan Wynn, screenwriter, "The Longest Yard" (1974).

Born 1948: Bernadette Peters, Tony Award-winning actress and Broadway powerhouse, "Dames at Sea," "The Goodbye Girl," "Annie Get Your Gun." Her funny films include "The Longest Yard" (1974), Mel Brook's "Silent Movie" (1976), "The Jerk" (1979). TV: "All's Fair" (1976-77).

1955: Gilbert Gottfried, stand-up comedian, actor, "Saturday Night Live" (1980-81), "Problem Child" (1990), "Aladdin" (1992, Iago).

1983: After 11 years, the two-year Korean War came to an end on the final episode of TV's "M*A*S*H."

Copyright ©2003 Mike Durrett. All rights reserved.