It’s the birthday of …

a bunch of characters. Character-actors, that is.

Doris Roberts is 75. She’s Raymond’s mom.

Loretta Swit is 67. She’s Major Houlihan.

Not known for TV but rather for the movies is Ralph Macchio. The Karate Kid is 43 today.

Art Carney was born on this date in 1918. He’s most famous for playing Ed Norton opposite Jackie Gleason’s Ralph Kramden but he won the Oscar for Best Actor for Harry and Tonto. Carney died last year.

Martin Balsam was born on this date in 1914. Balsam was also a character actor. NewMexiKen’s favorite Balsam roles: Juror #1 in 12 Angry Men, Henry Mendez in Hombre, Mr. Green in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, and his Oscar-winning Arnold Burns (Best Supporting Actor) in A Thousand Clowns. Balsam died in 1996.