THE HAT SQUAD: BILL ERWIN

I have Bill Erwin, Emmy nominated for a guest appearance on 'Seinfeld', listed in the Hat Squad tributes as the last actor to pass away in 2010. However, it looks as though Per Oscarsson of Sweden actually takes that final spot in the roll call - two bodies have been found in the burned ruins of his home and they are believed to be the award-winning octogenarian and his wife.

But even so, I wanted to tip my cap to Mr. Erwin. I've always been a big fan of the character actors and it saddens me deeply every time one of them finally leaves the stage. Not only for the contributions they made to the Tele-Folks Directory of Earth Prime-Time, but because I fear there will never be anyone coming along of their caliber to take their place.

Mr. Erwin is probably best known to TV audiences as he looked as an old man in shows of the last twenty years, like 'Seinfeld' and 'Star Trek: The Next Generation': But he was knocking around in the different time periods of Toobworld for many years, providing many characters to the TV roster.

As an example, here's how he looked in an episode of 'The Rifleman': I'm not sure the argument could be made that his character of Joe Flecker of the Old West was related to Sid Fields of New York City, but he could be an ancestor to Dr. Dalen Quaice who was seen on board the Enterprise.....

Good night and may God bless, good sir.

BCnU....