Died On This Date - Feb. 6

Thomas (Jacobs), Danny (Amos)
b. January 6, 1914 d. February 6, 1991
Actor, Singer, Producer. His career began as a nightclub comedian with a brief fling in the movies. His greatest success was achieved in television starring in long run sitcom's then a producer responsible for such shows as...Andy Griffith Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, Gomer Pyle and the Mod Squad. However, his show business career pales in comparison to his role as Humanitarian. As a young man, he embraced as his patron saint, St Jude Thaddeus, one attributed to lost or impossible causes.

Laine, Frankie
b. March 30, 1913 d. February 6, 2007
Singer, Actor. Born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio in Chicago, Illinois to Sicillan immigrants, he was a popular singer of the 1940s and 1950s who is best known for his recording of the theme song for the 1960s television series "Rawhide", and the title song for the 1957 film "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral". After making his movie debut in the 1949 film "Make Believe Ballroom", Laine's other credits included "Sunny Side of the Street" (1951), "Meet Me in Las Vegas" (1956), and "He Laughed Last" (1956).

Testrake, John Leigh
b. December 2, 1927 d. February 6, 1996
Captain John Testrake was the pilot of a TWA Boeing 727 flight 847. With 145 passengers and eight crew members aboard, the flight was hijacked on June 14, 1985, by Shiite militiamen while en route from Athens to Rome. The hijackers, demanding the release of hundreds of Lebanese from Israeli jails. During the ordeal, the hijackers were often photographed by a news crew with a cocked pistol at the head/neck of Captain Testrake.

Ashe Jr., Arthur Robert
b. July 10, 1943 d. February 6, 1993
American Tennis Player and Social Activist. Widely recognized as the first outstanding African-American men's tennis champion, Arthur Ashe was the first African-American to represent his country in Davis Cup play (1963), the first African-American man to win the U.S. Open singles title (1968), the first African-American man to win the Wimbledon singles title (1975), and the first African-American to captain the Davis Cup team (1981).

Van Heusen (Babcock), James (Edward Chester)
b. January 26, 1913 d. February 6, 1990
American composer, best known for his film work, with Johnny Burke: “Swinging On A Star”(*) from “Going My Way” and "Aren't You Glad You're You?" from “The Bells of St. Mary’s” for Bing Crosby; and Sammy Cahn: "All the Way"(*) (“The Joker Is Wild”), "High Hopes"(*) (“A Hole In The Head”), "Call Me Irresponsible"(*) (“Papa’s Delicate Condition”) and "My Kind of Town" (“Robin and the Seven Hoods”) – all hits for Frank Sinatra. In all he was nominated for 14 Oscars, winning(*) four.

Wilson, Carl
b. December 21, 1946 d. February 6, 1998
Legendary singer/songwriter with the highly influential 1960s-70s pop-rock band The Beach Boys. He sang lead vocal on the timeless classic "God Only Knows," among many other popular songs. Brother of Beach Boys leader Brian Wilson and drummer Dennis Wilson.

Cotten, Joseph
b. May 15, 1905 d. February 6, 1994
Actor. He started his acting career as a Broadway and radio personality through the Mercury Players directed by Orson Welles. Through Welles, he landed in Hollywood to play ‘Jeddediah Leland’ in “Citizen Kane.” After appearing in “Lydia,” he reunited with Orson Welles in “The Magnificent Ambersons” and “Journey Into Fear.” In a short time, he established himself as a prolific leading man appearing in films such as “Shadow Of A Doubt,” “Hers To Hold,” “Gaslight,” “Since You Went Away,”

Plager, Barclay
b. March 26, 1941 d. February 6, 1988
Professional Hockey Player. A native of Kirkland Lake, Ontario, Plager played the position of Defense for teams in the NHL, CPHL, OHA-JR, WHL, QJHL, M-Cup, EPHL, and the AHL hockey leagues. At 5'10, and 175lbs, Plager played for the Quebec Baronets from 1957 to 1958, Peterborough Petes from 1957 to 1961, Hull-Ottawa Canadiens from 1960 to 1962, Quebec Aces from 1961 to 1962, Pittsburgh Hornets from 1962 to 1963, Edmonton Flyers from 1962 to 1963, Omaha Knights from 1963 to 1964.

Fletcher, Arthur
b. January 5, 1885 d. February 6, 1950
Major League Baseball Player. Played Major League baseball as a shortstop from 1909 to 1920 for the New York Giants and from 1920-1922 for the Philadelphia Phillies. He participated in 14 world series--four with the Giants & ten as a baseline coach with the New York Yankees. In 1920, he authored the book "How to Play Shortstop."

Porter, Henry Martyn
b. April 25, 1835 d. February 6, 1907
Civil War Union Army Officer. Served in the Civil War as Colonel and commander of the 7th Vermont Volunteer Infantry.

Howey, Benjamin Franklin
b. March 17, 1828 d. February 6, 1895
Civil War Veteran US Congressman. During the Civil War he served as Captain and commander of Company G, 31st New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, a nine-months service unit. He was elected to represent New Jersey's 4th District in the United States House of Representatives, serving from March 4, 1883 to March 3, 1885. He was the nephew of New Jersey Governor Charles S. Stratton.

Alden, James
b. March 31, 1810 d. February 6, 1877
Civil War Union Naval Officer. Entered the United States Navy as a midshipman in 1828, and served continuously in the next 33 years, up to the Civil War. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1841, he served in the Charles Wilkes World Exploration Expedition. During the Mexican war her served in the Squadron that captured the City of Vera Cruz, Turspan and Tabasco.