RIP: LORETTA SWIT

Loretta Swit, who played Maj. Margaret Houlihan on the TV series "M*A*S*H," has died, a representative for her confirmed to CBS News. She was 87.

Swit died at her home in New York City, her rep, B. Harlan Boll, said in a statement to CBS News on Friday. She was believed to have died of natural causes.

Swit starred on stage and screen, but she was perhaps best known for her long-running role as the head nurse who was a foil to Alan Alda's Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce on "M*A*S*H," which aired for 11 seasons on CBS, from 1972 to 1983.

Swit won two Emmys for her performances on "M*A*S*H" and was nominated eight other times for her work on the show. She was also nominated for four Golden Globes.

As the show developed and incorporated more dramatic plot lines with the comedic ones, Swit wanted to portray Houlihan as more than the "Hot Lips" nickname her character was given while having an affair with Linville's Burns.

"Loretta Swit's portrayal of Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan was groundbreaking – bringing heart, humor, and strength to one of television comedy's most enduring roles," Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, said in a statement. "Her talent extended well beyond that iconic character, with acclaimed work on both stage and screen that showcased her intelligence, versatility, and passion."

Apart from her acting career, Swit was an active supporter of animal welfare, serving on the boards of Actors and Others for Animals and The Wildlife Waystation and as a spokesperson for the Humane Society. In 2016, she founded Swit Heart Animal Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to ending animal cruelty. She used proceeds from her original artwork to raise funds.

In 2019, after a 21-year absence, she returned to the screen in the religious film Play the Flute, about a youth group. Swit was married to actor Dennis Holahan, whom she met on the set of M*A*S*H, from 1983 until their divorce in 1995.

Donations in her memory can be to Actors & Others for Animals or the Swit Heart Animal Alliance, which she set up to protect, rescue, train and care for animals and preserve their habitat. She recently created a fragrance and a necklace, the sales of which supported her efforts...

RIP: MARILYN HOWARD - DAUGHTER OF CURLY

Marilyn Howard Ellman, the youngest daughter of The Three Stooges star Curly Howard, died May 6 in Simi Valley of heart failure, her son Bradley Server told The Hollywood Reporter. She was 86.

With her parents divorced and her father often on the road at the height of his career in the early 1940s, Ellman only got to visit him maybe two weekends a month, her son noted. Later, she would spend time with him in the hospital after he had suffered a series of strokes, one of which forced him to leave The Three Stooges in 1946.

“My mom vividly remembers how much he loved animals,” Server said in a 2020 interview. “She would always play with a dog he had. And he absolutely adored this dog that stood by him until the end. You know, despite my grandfather’s big personality onscreen, I learned he was actually a shy, quiet man in private.”

Ellman was just 13 when her dad died at age 48 on Jan. 18, 1952, in San Gabriel, California. Curly had been replaced in the act by brother Shemp Howard, who joined another brother, Moe Howard, and Larry Fine.

Marilyn Howard was born in Los Angeles on Dec. 18, 1938. Her dad — birth name Jerome Lester Horwitz — and mom, Elaine Julia Ackerman, were married for three years before they divorced in 1940. (Curly would have a second daughter named Janie with his fourth wife.)

After Curly’s death, she was adopted by her mother’s second husband, Moe Diamond, when she was 14.

Ellman graduated from North Hollywood High School and attended USC for two years before she worked as a procurement buyer in the electronics business. She would marry twice, and her survivors include her older son, Darren; daughter Andrea; granddaughter Elizabeth; and half-brother Michael...

SOURCE

RECENTLY VIEWED: LILO & STITCH

My daughter is my BFF when it comes to going to the movies, and she wanted to see the new live action Lilo & Stitch movie. I wasn't too excited to see it, but I am glad we did! (Although she made us dress in Lilo & Stich themes - see below).

Lilo & Stitch is a 2025 American science fiction comedy film directed by Dean Fleischer Camp and written by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Rideback, the film is a live-action animated remake of Disney's 2002 traditionally animated film Lilo & Stitch, with some elements also based on that film's animated sequel films and TV shows. It stars Maia Kealoha in her film debut as Lilo Pelekai, with original Lilo & Stitch writer-director Chris Sanders reprising his voice role as Stitch. Kealoha was officially cast for the movie in 2023 by Disney. It also stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Hannah Waddingham, Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis, with original cast members Tia Carrere, Amy Hill, and Jason Scott Lee appearing in different supporting roles.

Lilo & Stitch premiered at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on May 17, 2025 and was released in the United States by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on May 23, 2025. The film has received mixed reviews from critics and has grossed $341.7 million, becoming the sixth highest-grossing film of 2025. The story of Lilo & Stich is about a lonely girl that longs for a friend. Stitch is an alien that gets exiled on our planet. That is all you really need to know.

This is Disney's second live action movie of 2025, after Snow White. It was so nice to watch a Disney movie with no politics or internal issues. Lilo, played by Maia Kealoha is excellent. I worry about her going down the pathway of countless other child stars, but I would go see her in another movie. I didn't know Zach Galifianakis was going to be in the movie either, but his comedic relief was excellent. Lilo & Stitch is a fun movie that harks back to a time when Disney made fun and non political films. Hopefully, with this movie Disney will be returning to better film making...

MY RATING: 9 out of 10

THE EARLY YEARS OF ANN MILLER

In 1941, Ann Miller was already a rising star in Hollywood, dazzling audiences with her extraordinary dancing skills and captivating screen presence. Known for her energetic tap dancing, Miller became a staple of the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals. Her journey to stardom began early; she signed her first contract with RKO Pictures at just 13 years old, after lying about her age. By 1941, she was signed to Columbia Pictures, where she appeared in films like Time Out for Rhythm and Reveille with Beverly. These films showcased not only her dancing prowess but also her vibrant personality, which made her an audience favorite. Ann Miller's ability to combine athleticism and grace in her performances helped redefine what it meant to be a female dancer in Hollywood during this era.

The early 1940s marked a transformative period in Hollywood, with Ann Miller contributing to a surge in musical films that lifted spirits during World War II. The genre provided escapism and joy, and stars like Miller were instrumental in its popularity. Known for her incredible speed—reportedly capable of executing 500 taps per minute—Miller brought an unmatched dynamism to the screen. She often performed in elaborate sequences that required not only technical skill but also an unyielding stamina. Alongside contemporaries like Ginger Rogers and Cyd Charisse, Miller became synonymous with the glamour and innovation of 1940s Hollywood musicals. Her appearances in films like Too Many Girls (1940) and Hit Parade of 1941 helped set the stage for her eventual work with MGM, where she would solidify her status as one of the great musical stars.

Ann Miller’s legacy is a testament to the enduring power of talent and determination during Hollywood’s Golden Age. By the late 1940s, she signed with MGM, where she starred in iconic musicals like Easter Parade (1948) and On the Town (1949), often partnering with legends like Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. While her films are celebrated for their vibrant choreography and grand sets, Miller herself became a symbol of resilience, having overcome personal challenges, including a back injury she sustained as a child. Her contribution to the film industry extended beyond her performances; she was an advocate for the preservation of Hollywood’s history and a proud custodian of its traditions. Today, Ann Miller’s work remains a vital part of the classic Hollywood tapestry, celebrated for its artistry, energy, and undeniable charm...

HOLLYWOOD FEUDS: BILL MURRAY AND RICHARD DREYFUSS

The 1993 comedy What About Bob is now considered to be one of Bill Murray's greatest films. Thirty plus years after it came out the film is celebrated now, but the tension and drama on the set was anything but funny then. Director Frank Oz has confirmed in interviews that there was conflict on the set during the making of the film.In addition, both Murray and Dreyfuss have stated in separate interviews that they did not get along with each other during filming:

It's entertaining—everybody knows somebody like that Bob guy. [Richard Dreyfuss and I] didn't get along on the movie particularly, but it worked for the movie. I mean, I drove him nuts, and he encouraged me to drive him nuts.
— Bill Murray, March 19, 1993 interview with Entertainment Weekly

How about it? Funny movie. Terribly unpleasant experience. We didn't get along, me and Bill Murray. But I've got to give it to him: I don't like him, but he makes me laugh even now. I'm also jealous that he's a better golfer than I am. It's a funny movie. No one ever comes up to you and says, "I identify with the patient". They always say, "I have patients like that. I identify with your character". No one ever says that they're willing to identify with the other character.
— Richard Dreyfuss, October 8, 2009 interview with The A.V. Club

Oz himself also verified that there was a feud between Murray and Dreyfuss:

I was just trying to get the best out of both of them. Richard is a very structured person. And I'm not that structured. And Billy is very unstructured. So you have that opposite going also. And as a matter of fact, I just wrote Richard a letter, after all these years, because I was looking at that movie, and I realized how brilliant Richard's work was. But yes, they didn't get along. And in my perverse directorial intent, I was very pleased [laughs]. They're not supposed to get along. It's not that I was simpatico with Bill, but I leaned more towards the ideas that Bill had. But I am so grateful to Richard for his performance.
— Frank Oz, January 28, 2021 interview with Rolling Stone

In subsequent interviews, Dreyfuss reiterated what he said of his experience working with Murray, notably when he appeared at Fan Expo Canada in 2017. Dreyfuss further alleged in 2019 that at one point during the production, Murray screamed at him while intoxicated, telling him "Everyone hates you! You are tolerated!" and then threw an ashtray at him. When Murray appeared on The Howard Stern Show in 2014, Howard Stern asked him if he intended to irritate Dreyfuss. Murray responded: "I really try to make the other actor look good whenever I can (...) In this particular film, annoying Dreyfuss, which I kind of got to enjoy I gotta confess—but I didn't try to annoy him off the screen." Murray also acknowledged in 2025 that he threw a glass at the ceiling and denied throwing it at Dreyfuss. Although neither of them have crossed paths since the release of the film, Dreyfuss confirmed in a 2020 interview that he has forgiven Murray.

Producer Laura Ziskin recalled having a disagreement with Murray that resulted in his tossing her into a lake. Ziskin confirmed in 2003: "Bill also threatened to throw me across the parking lot and then broke my sunglasses and threw them across the parking lot. I was furious and outraged at the time, but having produced a dozen movies, I can safely say it is not common behavior".

In April 2022, following the suspension of the Being Mortal production, Dreyfuss's son Ben tweeted a recollection about Murray's on-set behavior towards his father and Ziskin: "Bill Murray had a meltdown during [What About Bob?] because he wanted an extra day off and Laura said no and he ripped her glasses off her face and my dad complained about his behavior and Bill Murray threw an ashtray at him." Ben also added, "Everyone walked off the production and flew back to L.A. and it only resumed after Disney hired some bodyguards to physically separate my dad and Bill Murray in between takes."

Whatever the issues making the film were, it might have made for a better movie. The actors might not have been on their best behavior, but the film is a classic!

RIP: GEORGE WENDT

George Wendt, an American actor and comedian who earned six consecutive Emmy nominations for his performance as Norm Peterson on the beloved NBC comedy series “Cheers,” died Tuesday morning at his home. He was 76.

Wendt’s death was confirmed by his publicist Melissa Nathan with the following statement: “George was a doting family man, a well-loved friend and confidant to all of those lucky enough to have known him. He will be missed forever. The family has requested privacy during this time.”

Originally hailing from Chicago, Wendt earned his degree in economics after traveling in Europe and North Africa as a young man, before returning to the Windy City to enroll in the Second City comedy troupe’s acting workshop, which he performed with from 1974 to 1980. He went on to feature in the NBC comedy pilot Nothing But Comedy, which brought him to Los Angeles and landed him his feature debut with My Bodyguard.

After he found widespread success with Cheers, Wendt went on to star in films like Dreamscape, Fletch, and Ron Howard‘s Gung Ho. Additionally, he starred alongside Robert De Niro and Annette Bening in Guilty By Suspicion, and had roles in the films Forever Young, The Man of the House, and The LoveMaster.

Despite his movie roles, Wendt is still best known for his television work, which, outside of Cheers, included The George Wendt Show on CBS and The Naked Truth on NBC. In recent years, the actor has rarely been seen out and about and he appeared to be in ill-health as he was seen visiting the health centre. George was seen using a wheelchair as he was assisted into a dialysis clinic and spent time in the facility...

COOKING WITH THE STARS: PAUL NEWMAN

 Here is a tasty recipe that I may want to make from the great actor Paul Newman...

SPICY CHICKEN AND PASTA

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cherry peppers
1 onion, cut in bite-sized pieces
1 bell pepper, cut in bite-sized pieces
1 1⁄2lbs boneless chicken breasts, cut in bite-sized pieces
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1(28 ounce) jar tomato and roasted garlic pasta sauce
1lb angel hair pasta

1. Heat a large, deep frying pan over medium heat. 

2. Add olive oil, then add hot cherry peppers, onion and bell pepper. Saute 2 minutes.

3. Add chicken pieces and crushed garlic. Saute 3 or 4 minutes until browned. Add pasta sauce, lower heat and simmer.
4. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and put in a serving bowl. Pour chicken and sauce over pasta. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

THE RETURN OF KING OF THE HILL

Life has changed since "King of the Hill" ended way back in 2009.

Hulu has released the first look of the animated comedy revival from creators Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, and the new poster shows a drone flying a case of Alamo beer into Arlen, Texas.

Hank Hill is back with his longtime pals – Bill, Dale, and Boomhauer – drinking beer in the alley behind Hank's house. Hank and company look slightly older, naturally. His pals are embracing change. Bill is enjoying food deliveries by Mega Lo Eats, while Dale is rocking a virtual reality headset with an Alamo in hand.

Judge reprises his voice roles as propane salesman Hank Hill and fast-talking pal Boomhauer. Kathy Najimy returns as Hank's wife Peggy. Pamela Adlon returns as son Bobby, who now works in a fusion restaurant (a career inspired by weekends spent grilling with his dad).

Stephen Root is back as Bill Dauterive. Johnny Hardwick, the voice of Dale Gribble, died in 2023.

Hulu retweeted the poster with the exclamation, "We are so back!" No official date has been given for the series, which is expected in the summer. Show creators will give more information on May 30 at the "King of the Hill" revival event at Austin's ATX TV Festival. Judge, Daniels and other cast members are expected to attend...

A TRIBUTE TO DORIS DAY - SIX YEARS LATER

It amazing that the velvet voice of Doris Day was silenced six years ago today...

HOLLYWOOD MOM: DEDE BALL

DeDe Ball, born on September 21, 1892, was an unwavering supporter of her daughter, Lucille Ball, who became a television icon. DeDe's dedication to Lucy's career was evident in her constant presence at the live shows, where she proudly occupied her designated spot in the audience. In 1975, DeDe shared her experience with Photoplay Magazine, reminiscing, “Oh, I may have missed one or two if I was ill, or up at Lucille’s condominium in Colorado of late, but I don’t think I’ve missed many. I had my own spot where I sat in the audience, my own cheering section. I’d bring my friends with me, and if they didn’t cheer, they didn’t get home!”

This heartfelt support extended beyond live performances. Even during projects without a live audience, such as the film "Mame," DeDe was a cherished visitor on set, contributing to the warm and familial atmosphere that defined Lucy's work. Her presence provided not just moral support but also a sense of comfort in the demanding world of entertainment.

DeDe’s role in Lucy's life highlights the profound bond between mother and daughter, showcasing the importance of family in the face of fame and success. Lucy often credited her mother's encouragement as a driving force behind her relentless pursuit of her dreams.

The relationship between DeDe and Lucille is a poignant reminder of how foundational support can shape one's journey, particularly in the competitive landscape of Hollywood. Their story continues to resonate, illustrating the power of love and encouragement in achieving greatness. DeDe died in 1977...

HOLLYWOOD MOM: CATHERINE SCORSESE

Catherine Cappa was a native of Little Italy, Manhattan, New York City. Her father worked as a stage coordinator in theatre. By the 1930s, Catherine was working as a machinist in the Garment District. In 1933, she married the actor Luciano Charles "Charlie" Scorsese who was also working in the garment industry at the time. The bride was 21-years-old, while the groom was 20-years-old. The couple had three children, including film director Martin Scorsese.

Scorsese made her film debut in her son's short film "It's Not Just You, Murray!" (1964). She also played maternal roles in "Who's That Knocking at My Door" (1967), "The King of Comedy" (1983), "Easy Money" (1983), "Goodfellas" (1990), and "Casino" (1995). She had bit parts in several other films. She appeared as herself in the documentary "Italianamerican" (1974), about the experiences of Italian American immigrants.

While directing his mother in "Goodfellas" (below), Martin didn't tell her that her character's son had just killed someone, and the body was in the trunk of his car. He only told her that her son was home for dinner, and to cook for them. The dinner scene as Tommy's mother was almost completely improvised, including Joe Pesci as Tommy asking his mother if he could borrow her butcher's knife and Jimmy's "hoof" comment.

The painting that Catherine's character brings out was actually painted by "Wiseguy" author Nicholas Pileggi's mother and is based on a picture from the November 1978 National Geographic.
Catherine often she cooked meals for cast and crew members of her son's films. She was working at the time on her cookbook "Italianamerican: The Scorsese Family Cookbook." It was completed and published in 1996, months before her death. It was her only published work...

BING CROSBY - THE HOLLYWOOD YEARS : PART 7