January 08 - 14, 2009
Q: Whatever became of Barbara Lawrence, the beautiful actress who was in “Oklahoma!” and “A Letter to Three Wives”? — H.F.W. A: Barbara, 78, began her film career in 1945 at the age of 15. She starred in dozens of films in her 17-year film career. She retired in 1962 and became a real estate agent in Beverly Hills. She divorced her third husband, Lester Nelson, in 1976. In 2008, she published a book called “Welcome to the Jungle,” a romantic adventure novel based on her experiences living in South America for five years in the 1960s. Barbara has four children and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. ••• Q: The actor who plays House on “House, M.D.” sounds so familiar. In what else might I have seen him or heard him? — Betty H., Waynesboro, Va. A: Hugh Laurie is a British actor who has many movies and television shows to his credit. Back in England, he is perhaps most famous for his comedic performances in the “Blackadder” series, “Jeeves and Wooster” and “A Bit of Fry and
Tidbits of Casper - For Advertising call 307-473-8661 • 161 South Fenway, Casper, WY Laurie.” In the States, aside from “House,” Hugh is best known as the voice of Mr. Fredrick Little in the “Stuart Little” movies. His voice will be highlighted yet again in March of this year, when he plays Dr. Cockroach Ph.D. in the new DreamWorks cartoon/feature film “Monsters vs. Aliens.” ••• Q: Did country superstar Porter Wagoner pass away? I heard he did, but never read about it in the newspaper. Also, is he in the Country Music Hall of Fame? — Charles R., St. Louisville, Ohio A: Mr. Porter Wayne Wagoner did indeed pass away on Oct. 28, 2007, at the age of 80. Porter was credited for introducing a young Dolly Parton to America via his long-running television show, “The Porter Wagoner Show.” They were a popular duet team in the late ’60s through the early ’70s. In 2002, Dolly was on hand to induct Porter into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In addition to his 81 charted singles throughout his long country-music career, in June 2007 Porter released his final album, “Wagonmaster,” to great critical acclaim. ••• Q: One of my favorite shows of all time is “Northern Exposure.” I was wondering whatever happened to the actor who played the character Ed. — Joan O., Burlington, Wis. A: Darren E. Burrows, 42, played the character of Ed Chigliak on the popular series (1990-’95) about a big-city doctor who comes to practice medicine in the small town of Sicily, Alaska. Since “Exposure,” Darren has been keeping busy in film and television; however, he hasn’t been in projects that have been quite so high-profile. He starred in the TV movie “The Siege at Ruby Ridge” and gueststarred on shows like “NYPD Blue” and “The X-Files.” He has a movie called “NoNAMES” set to open later this year, which will reunite him with “Exposure” co-star Barry Corbin. Have a question for Cindy? E-mail her at letters@cindyelavsky.com, or write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. © 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.
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