• Gabe Kaplan is a professional poker player, actor, and comedian, known for Welcome Back, Kotter and High Stakes Poker.
• His net worth is estimated to be over $30 million, mainly from acting projects and financial investments.
• He has won over $2 million in poker competitions.
• After a failed attempt to become a professional baseball player, he pursued a career in comedy and acting, leading to the creation of Welcome Back, Kotter.
• Over the years he has also appeared in several television programs, films, and poker tournaments.
Contents
- 1 Who is Gabe Kaplan?
- 2 The Net Worth of Gabe Kaplan
- 3 Early Life, Education, and Career Beginnings
- 4 Acting Career – Welcome Back Kotter
- 5 Continued Acting Work and Poker
- 6 Recent Endeavors
- 7 Personal Life
Who is Gabe Kaplan?
Gabriel Weston Kaplan was born on 31 March 1945, in Brooklyn, New York City USA, and is a professional poker player, actor and comedian, perhaps still best known for his role in the television sitcom “Welcome Back, Kotter” which aired during the 1970s. In recent years, he’s been better known for his work on the GSN program “High Stakes Poker”, in which he serves as a commentator.
The Net Worth of Gabe Kaplan
As of early-2020, Gabe Kaplan’s net worth is estimated to be over $30 million, earned through success in his various endeavors. The majority of his wealth was gained from successful acting projects, which in turn funded many financial investments which helped him prosper.
He’s also won over $2 million in poker competitions.
Early Life, Education, and Career Beginnings
Gabe grew up in Brooklyn and is of Jewish descent, with his family settling in the US to find safer and better opportunities. As a child, he became very interested in a career as a professional baseball player, hoping to make it in Major League Baseball (MLB). He attended New Utrecht High School located near home.
After matriculating, he tried out to become a part of a minor league team but was unsuccessful.
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This led him to decide that baseball wasn’t really for him, and he began looking at other avenues. While doing so, he worked in New Jersey as a bellman for a hotel, where he saw comedians go to the hotel and perform stand-up shows, which inspired him to pursue something similar. He began developing his skills and jokes, often performing at New York City’s Café Tel Aviv and other local locations. He improved to the point that his comedy routine was attracting a lot of attention.
Acting Career – Welcome Back Kotter
Gabe gained the opportunity to tour around the country, performing his stand-up routine, which often consisted of experiences he had as a child.
At this time, he was being invited to several television programs, including “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in which he made five guest appearances in a year. While working on a comedy album about his high school experiences, he was then approached by television producers to create a sitcom starring himself.
He got on board with this opportunity, leading to the creation of “Welcome Back, Kotter”. The comedy show focuses on him playing the titular high school teacher, who becomes involved in a remedial class featuring ethnically and racially diverse children.
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The show ran for four years and elevated his career nationally. The show built his comedy career further, and he incorporated his personal experiences into the show. While working on the show, he also competed in “Battle of the Network Stars” representing ABC. After the end of his show in 1979, he continued his stand-up tours, and also got a lead role in “Fast Break”, which was released shortly afterwards.
Continued Acting Work and Poker
Over the next few years, Gabe balanced hiscomedy workwith several acting endeavors. In 1981, he had another starring role in “Lewis & Clark”, playing the titular Lewis, which ran and featured a New York native who has a dream of starting a country-music club.
After a few more television appearances, he took a long break from acting, to focus on other endeavors brought about by the financial success his career brought him. He invested a lot of his money in the financial markets and was successful, leading to his wealth growing exponentially. He then became interested in playingpokerat a professional level, making his debut in the World Series of Poker during the late 1970s. After a few years his skill became well known, and he was considered one of the best players at the time, solidified with a win at the Super Bowl of Poker. He continued to showcase his skill in the next five years, and remained a mainstay of poker for decades to come.
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Recent Endeavors
In 2004, Kaplan made headlines once more as he reached third place of a Texas hold’em event by World Poker Tour, at which he won over $250,000. He also consistently placed highly at various World Series of Poker (WSOP) events. During this time he became a close partner and collaborator for WSOP, becoming a commentator for many of their events.
He also competed in an episode of “Poker After Dark”, in which he defeated Vanessa Rousson, Kristy Gazes, Ali Nejad, Annie Duke, and Howard Lederer.
He continued to build his tenure with a ninth-place finish at the 2007 WSOP HORSE event.
He then competed in “Poker After Dark” once more, and won again, with many considering the episode one of the greatest comebacks in the show’s history. In terms of his television work, he often appeared in various poker-related programs such as “Intercontinental Poker Championship”, “High Stakes Poker”, and “National Heads-Up Poker Championship”. He also made an appearance in “The Grand”, and released thebook“Kotter’s Back: E-mails from a Faded Celebrity to a Bewildered World”, which featured absurd emails he composed and people’s reaction to them. In 2018, he returned to mainstream television with a guest appearance in “BoJack Horseman” – the Netflix show is considered one of the greatest series of all time.
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Personal Life
Gabe has never revealed any information about a romantic partner or a wife, preferring to keep to himself. He does have a daughter, but has shared no information about her mother. There have been rumors that he is gay, due to his support of same-sex marriage in the US, but the rumors were shot down after he posed in a picture with his daughter. There were also some rumors that he became romantically involved with “Welcome Back, Kotter” co-star Marcia Strassman, who played his on-screen wife, but it has never been confirmed. Shepassed awayin 2014, and it led to a lot of coverage on Gabe’s end due to their professional relationship.
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Daniel Wanburg
As the Managing Editor at The Legit, I direct a dynamic team dedicated to creating rich content that profiles the lives and accomplishments of influential figures. My commitment to detail and storytelling drives the production of biographies that truly engage our audience. I manage all aspects of the editorial process, from conducting thorough research to crafting vivid narratives, all while ensuring the accuracy and quality of our work.At The Legit, our goal is to offer our readers comprehensive profiles that provide deep insights into the realms of business, entertainment, and more. Through diligent research and engaging storytelling, we highlight the exceptional journeys and achievements of those who both inspire and intrigue us.
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Actors
Published
8 hours ago
on
July 1, 2024
By
Daniel Wanburg
Contents
- 1 Who was Dana Hill?
- 2 Education and early life
- 3 Roles in TV series
- 4 Roles in movies
- 5 Other credits
- 6 Awards and nominations
- 7 Love life and relationships.
- 8 Interesting facts and hobbies
- 9 Death and wealth
Who was Dana Hill?
The late American actress Dana Hill was born Dana Lynne Goetz in Los Angeles, California USA, on 6 May 1964, meaning that Taurus was her zodiac sign. She appeared in 68 movies and TV series prior to her death in 1996, and is perhaps still remembered best for playing Audrey Griswold, one of the main characters in the evergreen 1985 adventure comedy movie “National Lampoon’s European Vacation”, which also starred Beverly D’Angelo and Chevy Chase, and was directed by Amy Heckerling. It follows the Griswold family as they’re vacationing in Europe, and the film won one of its two award nominations.
Education and early life
Dana was raised in Los Angeles alongside her brothers Matthew and Daniel, by their mother Sandy nee Hill who was a housewife, and father Theodore Arthur ‘Ted’ Goetz who was a director of commercials.
Dana grew up being passionate about running, and aged 10 placed #3 nationwide in the 880-yard run, as well as #4 in the mile run; she collapsed while running a couple of weeks later, and was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. This marked the end of Dana’s career as an athlete, and she thus focused on acting.
She studied at a local high school in Los Angeles, but upon matriculating in 1982 didn’t enroll at college.
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Roles in TV series
Dana had made her debut TV series appearance in the 1978 episode “Mork the Gullible” of the family science fiction comedy “Mork & Mindy”, and the year 1979 saw her play Maggie Joy in all the three episodes of the adventure series “The French Atlantic Affair”, which starred James Coco, Horst Buchholz and Jean-Pierre Aumont, and follows a group of terrorists who’ve hijacked a luxury liner; the series won a 1980 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design and Title Sequences, for Phill Norman.
The year 1980 saw Dana appear in an episode of three series: the family adventure “The Magical World of Disney”, the adventure comedy “ABC Afterschool Specials”, and the drama “Family”.
In 1981 and 1982, she starred as Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Gallagher in all the 20 episodes of the comedy “The Two of Us”, which also starred Peter Cook and Mimi Kennedy, and follows single mother Nan Gallagher who’s hired British man Robert Brentwood as her butler; the series was nominated for a Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Television Series. Some of Dana’s following appearances were in single episodes of the action crime adventure “Magnum, P. I.”, the adventure comedy “CBS Schoolbreak Special” and the adventure “The Rousters”.
In 1987 and 1988, she voiced the lead character Orphan Scrappy in 19 episodes of the animated action adventure “Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures”, while she then voiced Raggedy Dog in eight episodes of the short animated comedy “The Adventures of Raggedy Ann & Andy”.
In 1990 and 1991, Dana voiced Kevin in 14 episodes of the animated family comedy “Widget, the World Watcher”, created by Peter Keefe, and which starred Russi Taylor, Jim Cummings and Kath Soucie. It follows the alien Widget as he’s learning about humans on Earth, and the series won a 1992 Environmental Media Award for Children’s Animated.
Dana’s final three TV series roles were voicing Wee Willie Winkle in the 1996 episode “Three Ghosts and a Baby” of the short animated adventure “The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper”, various characters in 19 episodes of the short animated adventure “The Pink Panther” from 1994 through 1996, and Charles in 46 episodes of the animated adventure comedy “Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man” from 1994 through 1997.
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Roles in movies
Dana’s debut film role was playing Courtney Featherstone in the 1979 comedy “Featherstone’s Nest”, and she could then have been seen appearing in the 1980 drama “The $5.20 an Hour Dream”, the 1980 crime adventure “The Kids Who Knew Too Much” and the 1981 drama “Fallen Angel”.
She played Sherry Dunlap in the 1982 drama “Shoot the Moon”, directed by Alan Parker, and which starred Albert Finney, Diane Keaton and Karen Allen. It follows a mother of four who’s been abandoned by her husband for a younger woman, and the film was nominated for seven awards. Dana was then cast to appear in the 1982 drama “The Member of the Wedding”, the 1983 biographical romantic drama “Cross Creek” and the 1983 comedy “Branagan and Mapes”.
She played Sergeant Andrea Pritchett in the 1986 comedy “Combat High”, directed by Neal Israel, and which starred Keith Gordon, Wallace Langham and George Clooney; it follows two boys who’ve been forced to enroll at military school. The remainder of the ‘80s saw Dana voice characters in the 1988 animated adventure comedy “The Flintstone Kids’ Just Say No Special”, the 1989 animated drama “Marvin: Baby of the Year” and the 1990 animated family comedy “Jetsons: The Movie”.
Remembering Dana Hill, The actress who played Audrey Griswald in National Lampoon's European Vacation and voiced Jerry in Tom and Jerry: The Movie, Charles in Duckman, and Max Goof in Goof Troop. pic.twitter.com/K60QY9SFNX
— Alec Behan (@alec_behan) May 6, 2020
In 1991, Dana played Francy in the drama “Final Verdict”, directed by Jack Fisk, and which starred Treat Williams, Olivia Burnette and Glenn Ford. It follows the life of journalist Nora Rogers, whose father Earl Rogers was the best lawyer in the country, and the film was nominated for four awards.
Dana’s final three film roles were in the 1992 short animated adventure “The Odyssey: A Journey Back Home”, the 1993 short animated adventure “The D.A.R.E. Report: The Land of Decisions and Choices” and the critically acclaimed 1996 animated family drama “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, all voice roles.
Other credits
Dana sang the song “Reach Out and Touch Someone” in the 1985 movie “National Lampoon’s European Vacation”, the song “Friends To The End” of the 1992 “Tom and Jerry: The Movie”, and the song “Reindeer Rumba” of the 1992 movie “Goof Troop Christmas”.
She received special thanks (posthumously) for the 1997 episode “Ajax & Ajaxer” of the animated series “Duckman: Private Duck/Family Man” and the 2012 episode “Blu-Ray: Las Vacaciones Europeas de una Chiflada Familia Americana” of the historical comedy series “Special Collector’s Edition”.
Some of Dana’s talk-show appearances were in “Hot Potato”, ”Body Language” and “To Tell the Truth”.
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Awards and nominations
Dana was nominated for four Young Artist Awards, winning two: in 1982 for Best Young Actress in a Television Special, for her performance in “Fallen Angel”, and in 1984 for Best Young Actress, Guest in a Television Series for “Magnum, P. I.”
Love life and relationships.
Dana preferred to keep the details of her love life to herself, and never spoke of any men, or perhaps women whom she’d dated.
She was in an on-screen matchup with American actor William Zabka when they starred alongside in the 1985 movie “National Lampoon’s European Vacation”; some people believe that the two might had been dating in real life, but this hasn’t been confirmed.
There are also those who believe that Dana was in a long-term relationship with a fellow actor at the time of her passing, but that she preferred to keep their relationship a secret; this hasn’t been confirmed either.
Dana was single at the time of her death, never marry and didn’t have children.
Interesting facts and hobbies
Dana’s growth was stunted during her teenage years because of diabetes, and some people mistook her for a 12 or 13 years old girl even when she was in her late 20s.
For her performance in the play “Picnic”, played at the Los Angeles’ Ahmanson Theatre, Dana won a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Distinguished Featured Performance.
She was highly friendly and found it easy to get along with fellow actors and actresses.
Dana was involved in charity, and mostly contributed to non-profit organizations aiming to help diabetics.
She was a lover of animals, and dogs were her favorites.
Dana was a fan of actor Marlon Brando, and some of her favorite movies were “Last Tango in Paris”, “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Superman”.
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Death and wealth
Dana struggled with diabetes her entire life, and in May 1996 fell into a diabetic coma; she suffered a paralytic stroke a month later, and died on 15 July 1996, aged 32. Her remains were cremated.
At the time of Dana’s passing, her net worth was estimated at over $1 million.
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Actors
Published
14 hours ago
on
July 1, 2024
By
Daniel Wanburg
Contents
- 1 Who is James Denton?
- 2 Education and early life
- 3 Roles in movies
- 4 Roles in TV series
- 5 Other credits
- 6 Awards and nominations
- 7 Love life and relationships
- 8 Interesting facts and hobbies
- 9 Height, eyes and wealth
Who is James Denton?
American actor and singer James Denton was born in Nashville, Tennessee USA, on 20 January 1963, making Aquarius his zodiac sign. He’s had roles in 55 TV series and movies, but is perhaps known best for portraying Mike Delfino in the mystery comedy series “Desperate Housewives”, which starred Marcia Cross, Felicity Huffman and Teri Hatcher, and was created by Marc Cherry. It follows the lives of several female friends whose neighbors have committed suicide, the series aired from 2004 through 2012, and won 66 of its 255 award nominations.
Education and early life
James was raised Southern Baptist in Goodlettsville, Tennessee alongside his two siblings, by their mother Mary Jean Woolslair Denton who was a housewife, and father J. T. Denton who was a dentist and an Army veteran – he passed away aged 63 in 1993.
James was mostly into music while attending Goodlettsville High School, and later in life became a Minister of Music at Westmoreland United Methodist Church; he was physically quite active as a teenager, and played both basketball and football.
He matriculated in 1981 and then enrolled at University of Tennessee, from which he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in advertising in 1985; he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
Prior to launching his career in the film industry, James sold advertising for two radio stations.
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Roles in movies
James’ debut film role was playing Ray Higgs in the 1993 crime thriller “Thieves Quartet”, and the following years saw him appear in the 1995 drama “Hunter’s Moon”, and in 1997 the romantic comedy “That Old Feeling” and the science fiction crime action “Face/Off”.
What marked the ‘90s for James was playing Mitch in the 1998 comedy “Primary Colors”, directed by Mike Nichols, and which starred John Travolta, Emma Thompson and Kathy Bates. It follows a man who’s joined the presidential campaign of a smooth-operator candidate, and the film won 10 of its 41 award nominations, including Oscar nominations for Best Writing and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Kathy Bates).
James’ following roles were in the 2001 action crime mystery “The Pretender”, the 2004 short drama “Jumbo Girl”, and the 2006 short drama “Assumption”. The year 2007 saw him play Agent Murphy in the crime action “Tortured”, written and directed by Nolan Lebovitz, and which starred Laurence Fishburne, James Cromwell and Kevin Pollak. It follows an FBI agent who’s been ordered to torture a member of a crime family.
The first half of the 2010s saw James appear in the thriller “Foreclosed” and the musical drama “Grace Unplugged” both in 2013, and the 2014 romantic comedy “Stranded in Paradise”. In 2015, he played Kyle Jackson in the crime comedy “Dancer and the Dame”, directed by Gabriel Sabloff, and which starred Billy Gardell, Cuja and Zeus; it follows detective Rick Dancer as he’s working on a case with his canine partner Princess.
James’ three most recent film roles have been in the 2020 family comedy “Selfie Dad”, the 2021 romantic comedy “A Kiss Before Christmas”, and the 2022 romantic comedy “Perfect Harmony”.
Roles in TV series
James’s debut TV series role was playing Jack Bullock in the 1996 episode “The Good, the Bad and the Wealthy” of the adventure science fiction fantasy “Sliders”, and from 1997 through 2000, he played Mr. Lyle in 36 episodes of the science fiction mystery “The Pretender”, which starred Andrea Parker and Michael T. Weiss, and was created by Craig W. Van Sickle and Steven Long Mitchell. It follows a man who’s just escaped from a secret testing facility, and is now working various jobs across the US; the series won five of its 23 award nominations.
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In 2003 and 2004, James played the lead character Special Agent John Kilmer in all the 17 episodes of the mystery thriller “Threat Matrix”, which also starred Will Lyman and Kelly Rutherford, and was created by Daniel Voll. It follows John Kilmer and his elite team as they’re eliminating terrorists in the US – the series was nominated for two awards. James appeared in an episode of a couple of series in the 2000s, including the comedy “Reba”, the fantasy horror “Masters of Science Fiction”, and the crime action “JAG”.
In 2016, he portrayed Peter Hudson in seven episodes of the mystery comedy “Devious Maids”, which Marc Cherry created, and which starred Roselyn Sanchez, Dania Ramirez and Ana Ortiz. It follows the lives of four Latina maids working in Beverly Hills, the series aired from 2013 through 2016, and won two of its 16 award nominations.
Some of James’ most recent TV series roles have been in the 2018 episode “Checkmate, Part 2” of the crime action “NCIS: New Orleans”, 75 episodes of the fantasy comedy “Good Witch” from 2015 through 2021, and the 2023 episode “Paymer vs. Paymer” of the adventure “Fantasy Island”.
Other credits
James has received special thanks for three TV specials: the 2005 “Desperate Housewives Special: Sorting Out the Dirty Laundry”, and in 2006 “Desperate Housewives Special: All the Juicy Details” and “Desperate Housewives Special: The More You Know, the Juicier It Gets”.
He produced the 2016 romantic comedy movie “For Love & Honor”, the 2021 romantic comedy film “A Kiss Before Christmas”, and the 2022 romantic comedy movie “Perfect Harmony”.
Some of James’ recent talk-show appearances have been in “Tamron Hall”, “Today” and “Entertainment Tonight”.
Awards and nominations
James has won seven of his 11 award nominations. Some of his wins include two joint Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2005 and 2006, a 2006 Teen Choice Award for TV – Choice Actor, and a 2008 Prism Award for Performance in a Comedy Series, all for “Desperate Housewives”.
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Love life and relationships
There are several women whom James has dated, that his fans know about, including American country singer-songwriter Deana Kay Carter while they were both attending high school.
James married American actress Jenna Lyn Ward in 1997, but their divorce was finalized in 2000.
Since 16 December 2002, he’s been married to American actress, screenwriter and personal trainer Erin O’Brien Denton; she gave birth to their son Sheppard Denton in May 2003, and their daughter Malin O’Brien Denton followed on 22 March 2005. The family of four lived in Glendale, California prior to moving to Chanhassen, Minnesota, where they’re residing today.
James is married to his second wife Erin O’Brien Denton as of May 2023, and they have two children together.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnewSdHrscR/?hl=en
Interesting facts and hobbies
James was very close to his father, and has his initials tattooed on his left bicep, as well as his birth and death dates, and rank in the Navy.
He’s a huge fan of Major League Baseball (MLB) and had an opportunity to spend an afternoon training with the Boston Red Sox.
James is a philanthropist, and is today a supporter of the non-profit organization Angel Foundation, which helps cancer patients.
His Instagram account’s followed by nearly 3,000 people, and James has posted close to 300 pictures and videos onto it.
He’s been passionate about travelling since his teenage years, and has been to many countries around the world; James’ dream travel destination is Osaka, Japan.
His favorite actor is Jack Black, while some of his favorite movies include “School of Rock”, “High Fidelity” and “Nacho Libre”.
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Height, eyes and wealth
James’ age is 60. His hair and eyes are brown, he’s 6ft 1in (1.85m) tall and weighs around 180lbs (82kgs).
James’ net worth’s been estimated at over $7 million, as of May 2023.
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Actors
Published
22 hours ago
on
July 1, 2024
By
Daniel Wanburg
Contents
- 1 Who was Carol Wayne?
- 2 Education and early life
- 3 Roles in TV series
- 4 Roles in movies
- 5 Other credits
- 6 Awards and nominations
- 7 Love life and marriages
- 8 Interesting facts and hobbies
- 9 Death and wealth
Who was Carol Wayne?
The late American actress Carol Marie Wayne was born in Chicago, Illinois USA, on 6 September 1942, meaning that Virgo was her zodiac sign. She appeared in 26 movies and TV series prior to her untimely death in 1985, while she’s perhaps still remembered best for playing June Warren in the 1968 comedy movie “The Party”, written and directed by Blake Edwards, and which starred Peter Sellers, Claudine Longet and Natalia Borisova. It follows a clerical mistake which has led to a bumbling Indian star being invited to a party in Hollywood rather than being fired – the movie was nominated for a 1970 Turkish Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Film.
Education and early life
Carol was raised alongside her sister Nina Rae Wayne in Chicago, by their father Edward A. Wayne and mother Eileen ‘Billie’; Nina’s a retired actress with seven credits to her name.
Carol was mostly into figure skating during her teenage years, and launched her career together with her sister when they joined the travelling entertainment show Ice Capades, after Carol had matriculated from a local high school in 1961.
The two then began working at Tropicana Resort & Casino as the Folies Bergere showgirls, and in the mid-1960s, they moved to Los Angeles, California in pursuit of acting.
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Roles in TV series
Carol’s debut TV series role was playing Ginger LaVeer in the 1966 episode “The Super-Colossal Affair” of the crime action adventure “The Man from U. N. C. L. E.”, and she was then cast to appear in an episode of the action adventure comedy “I Spy”, the comedy “Occasional Wife” and the family fantasy comedy “I Dream of Jeannie”.
In 1969, she portrayed Bunny in the episode “A Bunny for Tabitha” of the popular family fantasy comedy “Bewitched”, created by Sol Saks, and which starred Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York and Dick Sargent. It follows a witch who’s married to an ordinary man, the series aired from 1964 through 1972 and won 14 of its 47 award nominations. Carol could then have been seen appearing in an episode of the comedy “The Red Skelton Hour”, the drama “Sarge”, and another drama “The Bold Ones: The Lawyers”.
From 1970 through 1972, she played Rosie in six episodes of the critically acclaimed romantic comedy “Love, American Style”, which starred Barbara Minkus and Stuart Margolin; each episode is a stand-alone comedy film, the series aired from 1969 through 1974 and won two of the seven awards for which it was nominated. In 1972, Carol portrayed Bobbi in the episode “A Puzzle for One” of the crime action “Mannix”, and was then cast to appear in an episode of the fantasy comedy “The Girl with Something Extra”, the drama “Medical Center” and the action adventure comedy “Emergency!”
Her only other TV series role was playing Rose in two 1981 episodes of the action adventure comedy “The Fall Guy”, which starred Heather Thomas, Lee Majors and Douglas Barr, and was created by Glen A. Larson. The series aired from 1981 through 1986, follows the life of a film stuntman who’s also a bounty hunter, and won one of the two awards for which it was nominated.
Roles in movies
Carol’s debut film role was playing Ernestine in the 1967 mystery “Gunn”, and the year 1972 saw her play Nancy in the romantic comedy “Every Man Needs One”, directed by Jerry Paris, and which starred Connie Stevens, Ken Berry and Gail Fisher; it follows a chauvinist architect who’s been forced to hire a feminist as his assistant, while he’s now fallen in love with her.
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Some of Carol’s following roles were in the 1979 fantasy comedy “Heaven on Earth”, the 1979 comedy “Scavenger Hunt” and the 1981 crime mystery “The Big Black Pill”. In 1982, she played Doreen in the family comedy “Savannah Smiles”, directed by Pierre De Moro, and which starred Mark Miller, Donovan Scott and Bridgette Andersen. The film follows the life of Savannah, the only child of wealthy politician Richard Driscoll, and it was nominated for three awards.
Carol’s final three film roles were in the 1983 comedy “Surf II”, and the drama “Heartbreakers” and comedy “E. Nick: A Legend in His Own Mind” both in 1984.
Other credits
Carol made a guest appearance in many talk-shows, including “Whew!”, “The Alan Thicke Show” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson”.
Her life was covered in the 2020 short documentary film “Raising the Dead: Re-Examining Night of the Living Dead”.
Awards and nominations
Carol was nominated for a 1977 Photoplay Award for Favorite Female Sex Symbol.
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Love life and marriages
Carol was married thrice. Her first husband was Loreto ‘Larry’ Cera; they married on 1 May 1965, and their divorce was finalized in June 1967.
Carol and her second husband, the late American photographer and moviemaker Barry Feinstein exchanged vows on 17 February 1969, and she gave birth to their son Alex Feinstein in the following year; their divorce was finalized in 1974.
From 1975 through 1980, Carol was married to American producer Burton Roy Sugarman.
She was unattached at the time of her death, was married thrice and had a son with her second husband Barry Feinstein.
Was thinking about Carol Wayne the other day. Had forgotten she appeared on The Tonight Show over 100 times! Did a lot of game shows like Hollywood Squares, always sticking to her well-known "blonde" persona. Died at age 41 with her death ruled an accidental drowning. pic.twitter.com/bDCFVbfcwn
— Classic Film TV Cafe (@classic_film) September 3, 2020
Interesting facts and hobbies
Carol posed nude for the magazine “Playboy” in February 1984, and the same year saw her file for bankruptcy.
She was an avid horseback rider, and enjoyed breeding Andalusian horses; Carol was also passionate about growing bonsai trees and gardening.
She was passionate about travelling and visited a number of US states, as well as a couple of European countries.
Carol was into dancing, and took lessons for several years as a teenager.
She was a philanthropist and was involved with a number of charity organizations.
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Death and wealth
Carol died on 13 January 1985; her body was found by a fisherman in the shallow bay in Manzanillo, Colima, Texas at the Las Hadas Resort. Her death was ruled ‘accidental’, and an autopsy showed no drugs or alcohol in her body; three days prior to her death, Carol had a heated argument with companion Edward Durston, who was an American car salesman.
Carol would’ve been 80 today; her net worth was estimated at over $2 million at the time of her death.
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