March 20th

Today is the birthday

… of Carl Reiner. He’s 86. From the Encyclopedia of Television:

Carl Reiner is one of the few true Renaissance persons of 20th-century mass media. Known primarily for his work as creator, writer and producer of The Dick Van Dyke Show–one of a handful of classic sitcoms by which others are measured–Reiner has also made his mark as a comedian, actor, novelist, and film director.

… of Barney Miller, who’s 77. That’s Hal Linden.

… of Hockey hall-of-famer Bobby Orr, 60.

… of Marcia Ball, 59.

… of four-time Oscar nominee William Hurt, 58. He won best actor for Kiss of the Spider Woman.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds’ Jimmie Vaughan (Stevie Ray’s brother) is 57.

Two-time Oscar nominee Shelton Lee is 51. His mother called him Spike.

Holly Hunter is 50. Miss Hunter has been nominated for an Academy Award four times, twice for best actress and twice for supporting actress. She won the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for The Piano in 1993. She has also won Emmys for Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom and Roe vs. Wade.

Fred McFeely Rogers was born 80 years ago today. It was always a beautiful day in his neighborhood, and what higher praise can you give any individual?