 LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Tommy Kirk, who acted in a series of family films as a child in the ’50s and ’60s, died at his home here Sept. 29. He was 79.Kirk was known for such films as “Old Yeller,” “The Shaggy Dog,” “Swiss Family Robinson,” “The Absent Minded Professor” and its sequel, “Son of Flubber.” MSTies will remember him as Don Pringle in the movie in episode 204- CATALINA CAPER and Mike in the movie in episode 523- VILLAGE OF THE GIANTS.  LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Actor Tim Donnelley, who, though he had an extensive career, was perhaps best known as sardonic paramedic Chet Kelly in the TV series “Emergency,” in 122 episodes from 1972-78, died here Sept. 19. He retired in the 1980s. He was 77.
MSTies will remember him as clone Richard in the movie in episode 811- PARTS: THE CLONUS HORROR. The website Looper has a nice retrospective. Thanks to Tim for the heads up and Gordon for the confirmation. BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.–Writer and director Joel Rapp, who wrote for many famous sitcoms, including “The Donna Reed Show,” “McHale’s Navy” and “Gilligan’s Island, died at his home here Sept. 15. He was 87.
By the the 1960s he had reached the office of vice president for Universal Pictures when he chucked it all to go into the indoor plant business. MSTies may recall that he wrote and directed the movie in episode 618- HIGH SCHOOL BIG SHOT. The Hollywood Reporter has the story. Thanks to Tim and Gordon for their heads ups. |
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All content posted on Satellite News is copyright © 2026 by Chris Cornell and Brian Henry, except where otherwise noted. This Date in MSTory is written and compiled by Steve Finley, Chris Cornell and Brian Henry. Copyright © 2026 All rights reserved. Please do not reproduce This Date in MSTory items in any form without express written permission from the authors. Items of MST3K news may be duplicated or reposted, as long as Satellite News is cited as the source. The views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Satellite of Love, LLC. No warranty is expressed or implied that the information given herein is completely accurate, and in fact this information can and will change at any time. So there. Mystery Science Theater 3000, its characters and situations are copyrights and trademarks of Satellite of Love, LLC. Banner image created by Larry Lee Moniz. |
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