Died On This Date

April 28
Hitchcock, Alfred
b. August 13, 1899 d. April 28, 1980
Legendary British-born motion picture director of the 1920s thru 1970s. A major Hollywood icon..."The Master of Suspense." He was married to screenwriter Alma Reville for over 50 years. Father of actress Patricia Hitchcock.

Curtis (Gates), Ken (Curtis Wain)
b. July 2, 1916 d. April 28, 1991
Actor. Best known for his long-running role as Festus, the cantankerous deputy in the long-running TV series "Gunsmoke". Born Curtis Wane Gates in Lamar, Colorado to Dan Gates and Millie Sneed Gates. His father was Sheriff of Las Animas, Colorado. He worked at the town jail and played the saxophone in high school. He served in the Army during World War II. He attended Colorado College for a time wanting to study medicine but was so successful as a singer-songwriter that he left college.

Greer, Dabbs
b. April 2, 1917 d. April 28, 2007
Actor. A native of Fairview, Missouri, Greer is best remembered for his role as the Reverend Robert Alden on the television series "Little House On The Prairie", from 1974 to 1983. He also played the role of the first person saved by Superman in the very first episode of the "Adventures of Superman" TV series in 1952, and that of the older Tom Hanks character in feature "The Green Mile." Greer's acting career spanned some 57 years. He passed away shortly after celebrating his 90th birthday.

Mussolini, Benito
b. July 29, 1883 d. April 28, 1945
Italian Dictator. Known as "Il Duce" (The Leader), he founded Fascism and ruled Italy for 21 years. As a dictator, he reduced unemployment and improved the railroad services, making the trains run on time. In the late 1930s, he teamed with Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan to form the Axis powers. Born in Dovia, Italy, he graduated from Teacher training school in Forli and taught elementary school for a short time. In 1904 he performed his required military service, returning to his profession. Cause of death: Gunshot wound to the chest.

Calhoun (Durgin), Rory (Francis)
b. August 8, 1922 d. April 28, 1999
Actor. He was discovered while horseback riding in the Hollywood Hills in 1943. Alan Ladd convinced him to go for a screen test. With the encouragement of an agent he changed his name to match his rugged appearance. He appeared in many spagetti Westerns but is best known for his starring role in the television Western "The Texan" where he played Big Bill Longley. In his later years he starred in several B-Westerns and found success as a screenwriter, producer, director, and rancher. Cause of death: Emphysema and diabetes.

Newsom, Tommy
b. February 25, 1929 d. April 28, 2007
Jazz Musician. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was a tenor-saxophonist who is best known as a member of the "Tonight Show Band" during Johnny Carson's years as host. He joined them in 1963 and remained with them until Carson's retirement in 1992. Newsom's quiet nature often made him the center of Carson's one-liners during his monologues. Prior to playing on the "Tonight Show", Newsom worked with such music greats as Vincent Lopez and Benny Goodman. Cause of death: Cancer.

Thesz, Lou
b. April 24, 1916 d. April 28, 2002
Six times World Heavyweight Professional Wrestling Champion.Regarded by many as the greatest wrestler of all time. He wrestled in four decades.

Begley, Ed
b. March 25, 1901 d. April 28, 1970
Actor. An imposing character player, he was often cast as a corrupt or misguided authority figure. He won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role as Boss Finley in the film "Sweet Bird of Youth" (1962). Edward James Begley was born in Hartford, Connecticut, the son of Irish immigrants. He ran away from home at age 11, and after a series of odd jobs he served in the U. S. Navy for four years. Making his show business debut in 1931 as a radio actor and announcer, he first appeared on Broadway.

Rogers, Jim
b. July 25, 1915 d. April 28, 2000
Actor, Son of cowboy entertainer Will Rogers. He was the third son and was born while his father was performing on the Broadway stage. When Will Rogers became a movie star, the family moved to California. He played a child's role in three of his father's films and went on to perform in six western movies, including three of the "Hopalong Cassidy" westerns. He was active for many years as a family representative to the Will Rogers Memorial in Claremore, Oklahoma and for the Will Rogers.

Askew, Frank
b. January 9, 1837 d. April 28, 1902
Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General. Graduated from Michigan University, studied law, but did not seek admission to the bar. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 he was commissioned first as a Lieutenant in the 17th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, then as Colonel and commander of the 15th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on July 14, 1865 for "meritorious service".

Rockefeller, Charles Mortimer
b. September 18, 1844 d. April 28, 1899Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. He was born in Gallatin, Columbia County, New York. He was declared dead near Manila, P.I., as "missing in action". He entered the Union Army in New York, New York. His highest rank was Major. He was awarded the CMOH as a Lieutenant in Company A, 178th New York Infantry for action on April 9, 1865 at Fort Blakely, Alabama. His citation reads "Voluntarily and alone, under a heavy fire, obtained valuable information which a reconnoitering party.

Edwards, Oliver
b. January 30, 1835 d. April 28, 1904
Civil War Union Brigadier General. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, he moved to Warsaw, Illinois, once he turned 21. Here, he entered the foundry business until the Civil War began. He immediately moved back to his home state where he enlisted. He mustered in on June 21, 1861, as 1st Lieutenant and adjutant of the 10th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. Subsequently appointed an aide on the staff of Major General Darius N. Couch, he served capably during the Peninsula Campaign in spring 1862.

Phillip, Andy
b. March 7, 1922 d. April 28, 2001
He was an All-American player at the University of Illinois in both his sophomore and junior year. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II and then returned to Illinois to complete his senior year. He started his NBA career in 1947 and was on 5 all-star teams. He led the NBA in assists from 1950-1952. It was during 1952 that he became the first NBA player to reach 500 assists in a single season. In 1956 he joined the Boston Celtics and one year later helped them to their first of 16.