THE HAT SQUAD: FRED TRAVALENA

Fred Travalena was an impressionist, one of the last in the old style line of performers to successfully meld the showmanship of Las Vegas with television. Called "The Man of A Thousand Faces", Travalena died the other day at the age of 66 after a long battle with cancer. His death completed the superstitious group of three (a cluster of celebrity deaths), along with Billy Mays and Gale Storm; the second "group of three" in the span of a week.

Here are his most notable appearances as a member of the "League of Themselves":

Stand Up with Fred Travalena (1997) (TV)

"Good Sports"
- Pros and Ex-Cons (1991)
This was a sitcom which starred Ryan O'Neal and the late Farrah Fawcett, who just passed away this past week as well.

"Newhart"
- A Midseason's Night Dream (1988)
This means that Fred Travalena was on the mind of Dr. Bob Hartley of 'The Bob Newhart Show', as 'Newhart' was just one long dream spurred on by a late-night snack of Japanese food.

"Madame's Place"
- Episode #1.47 (1982)
Even though this was basically a variety show, it holds its place in Toobworld because of the fictional interaction with Madame, the "Naughty Marionetta".

Just based on those three appearances alone, Fred Travalena would be eligible for entry into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame.

He made his mark in several TV series, mostly locked into one particular character for each of them....

"Black Scorpion" .... Charlie Chortle
- He Who Laughs Last (2001)

"Beverly Hills, 90210" .... Club Owner
- Ever Heard the One About the Exploding Father? (2000)

"Histeria!" .... Lenny
- The Wild West (1998)

"Walker, Texas Ranger" .... Ross Perot
- Standoff (1995)
I'm not sure if he was providing the voice for the real Ross Perot or what.....

"Dinosaurs" .... Bob Hack
- Nuts to War: Part 2 (1992)

"The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!"
- Chippie Chimpmunks (1989) .... Mr. Gibbel
- Will the Real Elvis Please Shut Up!/Love 'Em and Leave 'Em (1989) .... Elvis

"Murphy Brown" .... Don Sarasota
- Buddies Schmuddies (1989)

Spitting Image: The Ronnie and Nancy Show (1987)

Poochie (1985) .... Zipcode

"Fantasy Island"
- Lady's Choice/Skin Deep (1984)

"Dragon's Lair" (1984) .... King Ethelred

Shooting Stars (1983) .... Teddy

"ABC Weekend Specials"
- The Secret World of Og (1983) .... Og/Old Man/Glub Villager

"Shirt Tales" (1982) .... Bogey Orangutan

"Smurfs" (1981) .... Additional Voices

"Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo" (1979) .... Additional Voices

"The Love Boat" .... Ted Ashton
- Double Wedding/Ventriloquists, The/Julie Falls Hard (1978)

"Keep on Truckin'" (1975)

"The ABC Comedy Hour" (1972)

"The Jetsons" (1962) .... Additional Voices

Good night, and may God bless......

BCnU!