Celebrity R.I.P. X3

My mother said that celebrities always die in groups of three. I remember this vividly from my childhood years, probably from the first time I heard her say it. It's a frightening thought for a small child when you think about it. When Don Knotts died a few days ago, I thought "Who's next?" Sure enough, no sooner than we lose Deputy Barney Fife, than we also lose McCloud and Detective Kolchak.

Don Knotts created such a memorable character in Barney Fife that it's hard to picture him as anything else. I also fondly remember his roles as the Reluctant Astronaut and Mr. Limpet. Oh, and he was Jack Tripper's landlord after the Ropers moved out, but he was a little creepy in that role.

I never liked McCloud. The role that defines Dennis Weaver for me is the classic Spielberg TV movie Duel. A man, a Dodge Dart and a truck from hell. If you haven't seen this movie, go immediately to your local rental shop or Netflix queue and check it out. Made in 1971, for years it was a late night TV staple. Today the movie has developed a real cult following. It's probably in my top 25 favorite films.

Darren McGavin had an amazingly prolific acting career; go to Credits, it's unbelievable. I liked him as Sinatra's drug supplier in The Man with the Golden Arm and the gambler in The Natural. The Night Stalker scared the hell out of me. I prefer to remember him as the "Old Man" in A Christmas Story. "It's a leg!!"

Ok that's three. I guess Hollywood is safe for a little while.