THE HAT SQUAD: HENDERSON FORSYTHE

These are excerpts from the New York Times obituary for actor Henderson Forsythe:

Henderson Forsythe, an accomplished character actor who demonstrated his versatility in plays by dramatists like O'Neill, Beckett and Pinter and in rollicking musicals, movies and television — including 31 years on the soap opera "As the World Turns," died on Monday at his home in Williamsburg Landing, Va. He was 88.

Mr. Forsythe was acclaimed for his portrayal of Ed Earl Dodd, the earthy, profane sheriff in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." He won the 1979 Tony Award for outstanding featured actor in a musical for the role, and when he reprised the role in London, was nominated there for actor of the year in a musical.

Millions of fans of "As the World Turns," knew Mr. Forsythe's character, Dr. David Stewart, as if he were a family member. From the time he replaced Ernest Graves, who briefly played Dr. Stewart, in December 1960, Mr. Forsythe saw his character through almost innumerable twists and turns, none more intriguing than when he almost married a second wife while suffering from amnesia in 1981. Dr. Stewart died in 1991.

His television appearances ranged from playing Dr. Kildare's father to roles in episodes of "Law & Order" to Big Bud, a crotchety old geezer, in "Eisenhower and Lutz," a 1988 series.

In one episode, Big Bud recounts that he took some sushi home once. He said he "fried it up and wasn't half bad."

In interviews, Mr. Forsythe insisted he did not consider acting in a soap opera to be beneath him. "It's the variety that makes it interesting," he told The Associated Press in 1979. But his first love remained serious theater, though in 1994 he played a reincarnated Col. Harland Sanders in commercials for KFC restaurants.

TV SERIES
"Nearly Departed" (1989) TV Series .... Grampa
"Eisenhower & Lutz" (1988) TV Series .... Barnett M. 'Big Bud' Lutz
"Eight Is Enough" (1977) TV Series .... Big Bud
[This is the same character in both shows, a fact pointed out in several online encyclopedias, but not mentioned in any of the reference books I have here in Toobworld Central. You learn something new every day... too bad it took the man's death for me to discover this.]
"As the World Turns" (1956) TV Series .... Dr. David Stewart #2 (1960-1990)
"The Edge of Night" (1956) TV Series .... Martin Sprode (1958)
"From These Roots" (1958) TV Series .... Jim Benson (1958-1960)

TV MOVIES
Carolina Skeletons (1991) (TV) .... Judge Brickstone
In the Line of Duty: Manhunt in the Dakotas (1991) (TV) .... Doc Martin
Sessions (1983) (TV)
Word of Honor (1981) (TV) .... Peterson

TELE-HISTORY
Zoya (1995) (TV) .... Arnold Evan
Teamster Boss: The Jackie Presser Story (1992) (TV) .... Senator Bruckmeyer
Separate But Equal (1991) (TV)
Concealed Enemies (1984) (TV) .... John Foster Dulles
"Freedom to Speak" (1982) (mini) TV Series .... Sam Ervin/Lyndon B. Johnson/John Marshall
Crisis at Central High (1981) (TV) .... Glenn Huckaby

TV GUEST APPEARANCES
"Law & Order"
- Blood Money (1999) TV Episode .... Hamilton Stewart
- God Bless the Child (1991) TV Episode .... Lucius Carpenter
"I'll Fly Away"
- Amazing Grace (1991) TV Episode
"The Corner Bar"
- To Your Good Health (1973) TV Episode
"Mr. Broadway"
- Between the Rats and the Finks (1964) TV Episode .... Grayson
"East Side/West Side"
- Takes Sides with the Sun (1964) TV Episode .... Bowen Munro
"The Defenders"
- A Taste for Vengeance (1963) TV Episode .... Dr. Morton
- The Riot (1961) TV Episode .... John Andrews
"The United States Steel Hour"
- Night Run to the West (1963) TV Episode .... Calvin Broderick
- Second Chance (1958) TV Episode .... Dr. Bill Ward
"Dr. Kildare"
- An Ancient Office (1962) TV Episode .... Dr. Stephen Kildare
"Play of the Week"
- All Summer Long (1961) TV Episode
"The Witness"
- Police Lt. Charles Becker (1960) TV Episode
"Studio One"
- The Human Barrier (1957) TV Episode .... Dr. Barnes
- The Mother Bit (1957) TV Episode .... Mr. Minton
- The Furlough (1957) TV Episode .... Police Sergeant
- The Playwright and the Stars (1957) TV Episode .... Riley
"The Alcoa Hour"
- A Double Life (1957) TV Episode .... Victor

[Credits from IMDb.com]

BCnU.....
Tele-Toby