Ted Cassidy, Lurch from the Addams Family, born 1932

Actor Ted Cassidy, born July 1932, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is best known for his role as the faithful butler to the Addams Family, which ran for two seasons in the mid-1960's.  He was a successful actor but also found success doing voice-overs.  He appeared on Star Trek as Ruk on What Are Little Girls Made Of?. He provided the voice of Balok's puppet in the Corbomite Maneuver and Gorn in Arena.

He appeared in I Dream of Jeannie, The Six-Million Dollar Man and The Bionic Woman.  He even provided the voice for Godzilla in the animated series in the late 1970's.

He passed away in January 1979 following heart surgery.

Happy birthday, Mr. Homn!

Carel Struycken, born July 30, 1948 in the Hague, Netherlands, has appeared as Lurch in the Addams Family movies and, most notably, Mr. Homn, valet to Lwaxana Troi on Star Trek: The Next Generation.  He appeared five episodes. 

He also appeared in an episode of Babylon 5 and Star Trek: Voyager.  He stands 7 feet tall!

NASA launches Mars Perseverance rover today!

For the third time in only the last week and a half, a rocket was launched to Mars.  Today, NASA launched its spacecraft to the red planet, after China and the United Arab Emirates did the same.  Perseverance was launched from Cape Canaveral this morning and should reach Mars February 18, 2021.  The probe will be accompanied by a helicopter Ingenuity, which will help scout for locations for Perseverance to explore.

I'm thinking of AMEE from Red Planet.

"Cowboys & Aliens" released 2011

I enjoyed this movie despite all the negativity surrounding it.  Cowboys and Aliens was released into theaters July 29, 2011.  It starred Daniel Craig, Harrison Ford, Sam Rockwell and Olivia Wilde.  Jon Favreau.  Steven Spielberg and Ron Howard were among the producers.

Based on a comic book, the story is about an alien invasion in 1873 New Mexico.  It received mixed reviews but was nominated for several awards for its animation effects in a live action film and for its stunt ensemble. 

DubaiSat-1 launched 2009

DubaiSat-1, launched July 29, 2009, was the first satellite built by Emirates Institution For Advanced Science and Technology, which later became the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center in the United Arab Emirates.  It provides images for infrastructure development, urban planning, and environment monitoring and protection.

Babylon 5 episode "A Voice in the Wilderness" airs 1994

One of my favorite episodes of Babylon 5, A Voice in the Wilderness (Part 1) aired July 27, 1994.  The planet around which Babylon 5 is orbiting, has long been thought to be a lifeless rock.  All of a sudden, it comes alive and something under the surface awakens. 

Draal, an old friend of Delenn's, arrives on the station.  And a revolt on Mars breaks out, which has an effect on the crew.  Garibaldi asks Talia if she can find out about an old flame on Mars via her Psi-Corps connections.

The second part aired August 3.

I really miss that show!

Remembering John Saxon (1935-2020)

My favorite bad guy, John Saxon, passed away yesterday from pneumonia.  He would have turned 85 next week.  I always thought he was handsome and he was always popping up as the bad guy: The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bionic Woman, Wonder Woman, Murder, She Wrote.

He also appeared with Angela Lansbury in The Reluctant Debutante and with Bruce Lee in Enter the Dragon.

Saxon won a Golden Globe in 1958 as Most Promising Newcomer - Male for his role in This Happy Feeling.

May he rest in peace.