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He had that same genuine likability factor, owned that same trademark lantern jaw and was just as appealing and gifted as his older brother, Dick Van Dyke, but, for decades, Jerry Van Dyke bore the brunt of his brother's overwhelming shadow.

Six years younger than brother Dick, the comic actor was born on July 27, 1931, in Danville, Illinois. Raised there, the crew cut blond showed an aptitude for clowning in high school. His stand-up comedy venues first took the form of dives and strip clubs throughout the Deep South in which his banjo-playing became an intricate part of the routine. At one point, Jerry was a regular on the Playboy club circuit. He then set his sights on the top showrooms in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and Atlantic City and became a dependable opening act.

Jerry's early career should have been rightfully interrupted when he joined the Air Force in 1952. He, instead, kept the troops laughing by performing in Special Services shows. Winning a military talent contest actually earned him a couple of appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) (aka "The Ed Sullivan Show") and resulting TV exposure. Following his tour of duty, he nabbed variety appearances and a regular comic relief role on The Judy Garland Show (1963). He found comic acting parts as well on TV. Like brother Dick, who was a huge TV star by this time, Jerry also did a stint emceeing a game show. In Jerry's case, it was Picture This (1963).

Ever the hapless klutz and happy-go-lucky stammerer, Jerry built up his TV reputation in the early 60s. He turned down the title role in Gilligan's Island (1964), which he rightfully deemed inane, but instead chose the equally silly My Mother the Car (1965). It proved to be a detrimental career move. While "Gilligan" became a surprise hit that still runs in syndication four decades later, Jerry had to live down starring in one of the most lambasted sitcoms of all time. Truthfully, the two shows were on an equal (sub)par with each other. It was just a cruel luck of the draw that Jerry ended up biting the bullet while Gilligan's Bob Denver found cult celebrity. Jerry's subsequent two series were also one seasoners with Accidental Family (1967), a sitcom in which he more or less played himself (a nightclub comedian), and Headmaster (1970), a drama starring Andy Griffith in which he played a physical education coach. Neither did much for his career. A promising co-star role with Griffith in the film Angel in My Pocket (1969) also went nowhere. Over the years, Jerry has appeared as a guest star on a number of brother Dick's shows, including the classic The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961) in which he played, of course, Dick's brother.

The genially dim character "George Utley" on Bob Newhart's 1980s series was originally created for Jerry but Tom Poston assumed the part. Good fortune finally smiled on Jerry when he won the hapless role of "Luther Van Dam", a role that capped his long career, on Coach (1989). He earned four consecutive Emmy nominations and a steady paycheck for eight seasons. His seesaw struggle and survival after nearly five decades truly paid off this time, and only proves his love for the business.

Nearing the millennium, Jerry was seen frequently on the smaller screen. In addition to guesting on such shows as "The New Addams Family," "The District," "Diagnosis Murder," "My Name Is Earl," "Committed" and "Raising Hope," the veteran actor played the regular roles as grandpa types in the sitcom fantasies Teen Angel (1997) and You Wish (1997); had the recurring grandparent role of Big Jimmy Hughes in the comedy series Yes, Dear (2000) and ended his career as a grandpa in the established sitcom The Middle (2009) starring Patricia Heaton and Neil Flynn.

In later years, Jerry spent much of his time at a ranch in Arkansas where he lived with his second wife, the former Shirley Jones (not the singer/actress), and raised cattle. Tragedy struck in 1991 when one of his three children, Kelly Van Dyke, a substance abuser, took her own life. On the sly, one could also find Jerry at the poker table as part of ESPN tournaments. He died in Arkansas on January 5, 2018, aged 86.

Angela Watson was born a farmer's daughter in a little town of 500 people, outside of Danville, Illinois. Her parents retired and moved to Southwest Florida when Angela was just ten years old. Her performing career had begun with tap dancing at the age of three, continuing into her pre-teens when she amassed over 200 trophies and 60 crowns competing in numerous beauty pageants. Angela quickly learned that even the best dancer had difficulty beating out a singer in the talent portion of those contests. Angela was determined to win First Place, thus her singing career was born. At age 13, she locked herself in her room, not appearing for days until she announced to her parents she would be singing Patsy Cline's "Walking After Midnight" in the upcoming pageant, and that she planned to win. And win she did! Her pageant success led to modeling in New York and Dallas, until she was discovered by a manager who advised her parents to take her to Los Angeles and give her a shot at television and film work. Her first national commercial was for McDonald's, followed by Doritos, IBM and GE. Within her first year in California, Angela was cast in a recurring role on ABC's "Davis Rules" with Jonathan Winters and Randy Quaid. The following year, Angela was handpicked to costar in the 90's TGIF sitcom "Step by Step" playing Suzanne Somers and Patrick Duffy's very vain and seemingly shallow, though with a good heart, teenage daughter "Karen Foster" for 7 seasons. The show has over 150 episodes currently streaming on Hulu. Even though a successful TV actress, Angela was far from an experienced Hollywood wild child, and unfortunately her innocence and naivete were taken advantage of by a so called "production partner" who promised to help her transition into an adult actor with longevity in the business. By the time her family and friends realized he was actually a con man who was brainwashing Angela, it was too late. Over the next 20 years, not only was Angela isolated from everyone she loved, but he also convinced her that she had to sue her parents for supposedly "stealing her money," when in fact, he was the one fleecing her acting earnings. Her relationship with the narcissistic abuser turned into a daily nightmare she couldn't escape from. Thankfully, Angela was able to secretly listen to some YouTube videos that she now knows was actually reprogramming her brain to choose to be happy despite her circumstances. After two years of doing so, she realized she had the courage and strength to break free. Angela says it was "by the Grace of God, and her mother's unceasing prayers for her return," that she is now joyfully reunited with her formerly estranged family and friends. This new chapter of her life has already kicked off with quite a bang, after accompanying her new husband to the optometrist, Michael Witherington, a songwriter at heart from Oklahoma. He asked Angela to record his catchy original song, "We Love Santa Claus," with producer Julian Sundby, and Angela was delighted to sing the fun toe-tapping holiday tune. Angela kicked off 2020 playing 8 different characters in a 6 week run of The Dining Room.

Ned Luke was born on 4 October 1958 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Grand Theft Auto V (2013), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) and Boardwalk Empire (2010). He has been married to Amy Sax since 12 November 1997. They have one child.

A graduate of the University of Southern California School of Law, Morris Ankrum was an attorney and an economics professor before switching careers and joining the theater. He was a veteran stage actor by the time he entered the film industry in the 1930s. His film career spanned 1933-64, during which time he played in 279 films and TV shows. Ankrum spent much time in westerns, playing everything from Indian chiefs to crooked bankers. Among his best remembered parts are his numerous villainous roles in Paramount's highly popular Hopalong Cassidy film series. The Hoppy films in which he appears include North of the Rio Grande (1937), Hills of Old Wyoming (1937), Pirates on Horseback (1941), Three Men from Texas (1940), Borderland (1937), and Hopalong Cassidy Returns (1936), among others.

He was cast in many other films throughout the '30s, '40s, and '50s, varying from small appearances to co-starring roles. He can be seen in low-budget "B" pictures and big-budget blockbusters alike. It was in the 1950s, though, that he hit his stride in the science-fiction genre, where his gruff, no-nonsense demeanor and authoritative voice perfectly fit the role of the military officer helping scientists fight off outer-space menaces, most memorably as Col. Fielding in the classic Invaders from Mars (1953).

Later in his career he did much TV work, in such series as Bonanza (1959), The Rifleman (1958), Rawhide (1959), Cheyenne (1955), Gunsmoke (1955), The 20th Century-Fox Hour (1955), Maverick (1957), Have Gun - Will Travel (1957), Sea Hunt (1958), and over a dozen more. At the end of his career from 1957-64, he had a recurring role as a judge in 22 episodes on the Perry Mason (1957) TV series.

General purpose actor James Wainwright was born in Illinois in 1938 and discovered he had artistic talent at a young age, landing a scholarship at Carnegie University. This active pursuit was all but dissipated when he decided to join the Marines. Following his honorable discharge, he made do with a number of unskilled jobs until he found an interest in another area of the fine arts -- acting. He auditioned and earned a seat as a student at the Actors' Studio, then proceeded to migrate West in the late 60s to pursue film and TV stardom.

Initially cast as a ruthless heavy, his image was redeemed somewhat after landing a recurring role in 1969 on the already-established TV program Daniel Boone (1964). In 1972, he fronted in his own weekly series Jigsaw (1972) as dogged Lt. Frank Dain of the California State Police Department's Bureau of Missing Persons--a man who didn't always play by the rules. What could have been his ticket to TV stardom barely lasted a season. In years to come he was seen in secondary support to a number of Oscar-winning cinema stars, notably Clint Eastwood in Joe Kidd (1972), George Kennedy in the prison drama Mean Dog Blues (1978) and Walter Matthau and Robin Williams in The Survivors (1983). He also appeared in a number of mini-movies, particularly that of a younger J. Edgar Hoover who grows up to be bulldog Broderick Crawford in The Private Files of J. Edgar Hoover (1977), and guested on the more popular shows including "Cannon," "The Fall Guy," "Dynasty," "Magnum P.I.," "Hardcastle & McCormick" and "Hunter."

In his second TV series he reverted back to playing the heavy as an unstable scientist who invents and unleashes humanistic robots to take over the world in Beyond Westworld (1980). Based on the popular 1973 Yul Brynner movie, the program was very short-lived. Following additional episodic work on TV, as well as the lowbudget action film Mission Manila (1988), Wainwright left the screen. Little was heard from or about the actor until his reported death from lung cancer on December 20, 1999 at age 61.

Bobby Short was an attraction at Manhattan's Cafe Carlyle for three decades (he doubtless got his greatest exposure there in a scene from Woody Allen's film Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)). Short is the quintessential New Yorker, the Fred Astaire of saloon singers, an international icon of style and glamour.

Brett Haley was born on 17 August 1983 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He is a director and writer, known for Hearts Beat Loud (2018), All the Bright Places (2020) and I'll See You in My Dreams (2015).

Donn Gift was born on 14 December 1924 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Fighting Father Dunne (1948), The Enchanted Valley (1948) and The Happy Years (1950). He died on 8 July 1979 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Before the tragic legacies of songbird icons Édith Piaf, Billie Holiday and Judy Garland took hold, there was the one...the original...lady who sang the blues and started the whole "bawl" rolling. Like her successors, Helen Morgan lived the sad songs she sang...and more.

She started her life fittingly enough on August 2, 1900 in very humble surroundings. Her father was an Illinois dirt farmer and school master. She moved to Chicago while young and worked a number of menial blue-collar jobs -- manicurist, cracker-packager, counter clerk. But her passion was music and, at the age of 18, decided to leave and pursue her dream as a cabaret singer. Within a few years, she was working under the Broadway lights with the George White Scandals. In between. she studied music at the Metropolitan Opera and performed in vaudeville shows.

Helen was the antithesis of the freewheeling "Jazz Age" baby as her deep, dusky voice seemed born to weave tales of sadness and lament rather than focusing on fun and frolic. The Chicago mobsters and underground bootleggers bawled like burly babies and really took to Helen's "torch song" renditions while glamorously propped on a piano with trademark scarf in hand (originally used to disguise nerves). Prohibition-era gangsters even bankrolled her clubs which became very popular...and frequently raided.

Helen conquered Broadway in the late 1920s with her quintessential role as the tragic mulatto, "Julie", in the landmark smash musical, "Show Boat", in 1927. Introducing the standards "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" and "Bill", Helen earned more success with the musical "Sweet Adeline" in 1929 in which she introduced another favorite "Why Was I Born?". Her fragile mind and heart, however, couldn't handle the problems that started surfacing in the 1930s.

A broken marriage, emotional instability and a deep passion for the demon drink quickly did her in. She couldn't hold jobs and her health worsened by the year. After spiraling badly for a half-decade, she tried sobering up and made a huge splash in 1936 with the screen version of Show Boat (1936) starring Irene Dunne, Allan Jones and Paul Robeson. She also began to redeem herself in clubs again but it was ultimately too late. Years of abuse did its damage and she died of liver cirrhosis in 1941 at age 41. In 1957, a glossy, somewhat fictitious movie was made chronicling her life and troubled times. The Helen Morgan Story (1957), starred a game Ann Blyth as the sultry, ill-fated songstress, with Gogi Grant a spectacular choice for dubbing in the vocals to all of Helen's best known standards.

Yes, before there was a Garland, there was Morgan, and although Garland seems to have her beat these days as THE musical icon of despair, Helen was the original tear-stained blueprint.

Franklin Dennis Jones was born on 26 March 1944 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Reindeer Games (2000), Nebraska (2013) and Impostor (2001). He died on 15 February 2015 in Austin, Texas, USA.

Mali Finn was born on 8 March 1938 in Danville, Illinois, USA. She was a casting director, known for L.A. Confidential (1997), Avatar (2009) and Titanic (1997). She was married to Don Finn. She died on 28 November 2007 in Sonoma, California, USA.

Colby Carter was born on 23 November 1922 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He was married to Jean Carter. He died on 30 April 2022 in the USA.

John Sibley was born on 25 January 1912 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Lady and the Tramp (1955), Sleeping Beauty (1959) and The Sword in the Stone (1963). He was married to Jane Crockett. He died on 15 February 1973.

Christy Marx was born in 1952 in Danville, Illinois, USA. She is a writer and director, known for Hypernauts (1996), Jem and the Holograms (2015) and Jem (1985).

Chris Fogleman was born in Danville, Illinois, USA. Chris is an actor and writer, known for Cold Case (2003), Hitman, Inc. and Tripping Forward (2009).

Jack Doan was born on 12 June 1972 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He is an actor, known for WWE Smackdown! (1999), WWE Raw (1993) and WWE Money in the Bank (2010).

David Lewman has written and story-edited animated shows for Nickelodeon, Disney, Comedy Central, and Cartoon Network, including Kick Buttowski, George of the Jungle, Spaceballs, Lucky Fred, Rekkit Rabbit, Fresh Beat Band of Spies, Rollin' With The Ronks, Mondo Yan, Piny, Buddy Thunderstruck, Get Blake, DJ & The Fro, Yin Yang Yo, Tak & The Power of Juju, Pinky Dinky Doo, 3 South, and Drawn Together. He has also written for the live-action sitcom 3rd Rock From The Sun and the reality show My Life Is A Sitcom. David is the author of over 140 books for young readers starring such well-known characters as SpongeBob, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Minions, and the Trolls.

Molly LaMar was born on 3 April 1971 in Danville, Illinois, USA. She died on 28 December 2017 in Danville, Illinois, USA.

Alma Murphy was born on 15 December 1888 in Danville, Illinois, USA. She was an actress, known for Goodyear Theatre (1957), Alcoa Premiere (1961) and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1969). She died on 10 December 1978 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Robin Yount was born on 16 September 1955 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He has been married to Michele Edelstein since 14 February 1979. They have four children.

Clark Burroughs was born on 23 August 1883 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Branded (1931). He died on 18 December 1951 in Morgan County, Ohio, USA.

Jack Smith was born on 28 August 1952 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He died on 7 January 2016 in St Louis, Missouri, USA.

Dale Wayne Sigler was born on 10 May 1967 in Danville, Illinois, USA.

Gary Gardner was born on 24 March 1944 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Boulevard (2014). He died on 15 June 2013 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Harry LaPearl was born on 10 October 1884 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Polly of the Circus (1917), Still Waters (1915) and The Flying Twins (1915). He was married to Loretta ?. He died on 14 January 1946 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Tim Kirby was born on 16 July 1966 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He is an actor, known for Holly (2015).

Andrew J. Peevler was born on 30 May 1976 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Return of the Ghostbusters (2007), Holes in the Sky: The Sean Miller Story (2021) and Ghosts of the West: The End of the Bonanza Trail (2012).

Kevin R. Young was born on 16 February 1957 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He was an actor, known for Travis (1991), North & South: Book 1, North & South (1985) and North & South: Book 2, Love & War (1986). He died on 7 May 2012 in Illinois, USA.

Ryan Thomas was born on 5 November 1984 in Danville, Illinois, USA.

Zeke Bratkowski was born on 20 October 1931 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He died on 11 November 2019.

Jon Crispin was born on 19 March 1953 in Danville, Illinois, USA. He is an actor, known for The Redeemer: Son of Satan! (1978). He has been married to Bonnie since 1 October 1983. They have one child.

Jeff Oster was born on 31 May 1957 in Danville, Illinois, USA. Jeff is a composer, known for Chance Reunion (2013) and Fair Is Fair (2011).

Since the moment of his birth in Danville Illinois, Brad knew he had a knack for telling stories. That his mother went into labor with him during CHINATOWN, could have something to do with it.

As a producer, writer and director, Brad brought his love for storytelling to the American Film Institute in 1997. As one of the youngest filmmakers in his class, Brad wrote and produced five films including the thriller TERRA MEA - the story of a man trapped for eternity inside a box with a jealous lover. He also wrote the Hitchcock-inspired film, STALE IDENTITY for director Mitch Levine. While spending a year immersed in the Native American culture of California and Canada, Bradley wrote and produced the 2000 Sundance Film Festival selection, MY BROTHER, starring the film and television actor Adam Beach (FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, WINDTALKERS and SMOKE SIGNALS).

Changing his sights to the advertising world, Brad teamed up with the marketing unit at Miramax for Martin Scorsese's GANGS OF NEW YORK and wrote the tag line, "American Was Born In The Streets", which promoted the film on a world-wide basis on both posters and the theatrical trailer.

For 13 years, Brad became immersed in the advertising and marketing industry, specializing in experiential, online and social media marketing for top agencies in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.

In 2015, Brad founded the production company Madness Maker Films and has produced four music videos for Internationally know act Macabre, a live seven camera recording for The Tossers, another internationally known band. In 2016, Brad began production on the musical documentary PUNK BAND (2018), currently playing on Amazon Prime.