Posted on 01/27/2017 4:45:20 PM PST by ifinnegan
The Emmy-winning actress, a former starlet at RKO Pictures, starred opposite Raymond Burr on the long-running legal drama.
Barbara Hale, who played the steadfast secretary Della Street opposite Raymond Burr on the legendary courtroom drama Perry Mason for nine seasons and 30 telefilms, has died. She was 94.
Hale, a former contract player at RKO and Columbia who made more than 50 films before landing her signature role, died Thursday at her Sherman Oaks home in Los Angeles.
Survivors include her son William Katt, best known as the star of the 1980s ABC series The Greatest American Hero. He reported her death on Facebook.
(Excerpt) Read more at hollywoodreporter.com ...
She was also in The Giant Spider Invasion spoofed in MST3K.
RIP, Ma’am.
They all made a good company of actors together. William Hopper who played the PI in the series was actually in the early version of the Navy Seals.
And Dean Martin’s wife in the original “Airport” movie.
RIP Della.
Funny, my wife and I have been watching Mannix episodes every night for the last week or so. I have 7 seasons on dvd.
Last night we watched two episodes and afterwards I came into the computer/music room to catch the FR headlines before going to bed. It was then that I learned he had passed away.
As a matter of fact we are watching Mannix right now.
Gotta get back...cheers!
We usually watch it at night and I watch it in the morning when working out. Watched most of the episodes back in the 60s. Always liked her and I really enjoy seeing the cars of the 60s they drove. Tragg was cool.
Me, too. That was a great show.
Yeah, Tragg (Ray Collins) and his fedora always reminded me of the detective movies of the 30s and 40s or the “Film Noir” ones of the 40s and 50s.
Orson Wells thought Collins was the best actor there was period. He definitely brought a flair to the role and Tragg was the only one who could always hold his own with Perry.
Perry Mason was one of my favorite shows in the day. Sounds like she lived a long full life.
I'm pretty sure he didn't want Burr holding it, if you get my drift. Not that there's anything wrong with that...
Perry Mason reruns is a show I try to watch. I never can figure out who the murderer is, though. The ‘Murder She Wrote’ series was easier to solve.
OMG I didn’t know that. Sheesh, I guess I have to learn who died here on FR.
RIP Barbara Hale (I didn’t know William Katt (American Hero & Carrie) was her son.
RIP Mike Conners
And now John Hurt. Sad
There were several things I have picked up on about the show.
It had several anti-Communist episodes especially Communist China. It was not heavy handed but definitely there.
Also and I guess this had to do with whoever was selecting cast members but it had a really high number of beautiful girl guests.
I never watched it before very recently.
I have been watching it on MeTV for the last year or two.
And yes, a lot of very pretty actresses.
Now why didn’t Perry ever marry Della?
He had a medical problem in his wrist.
I have never read any of the books but my guess would be that Erle Stanley Gardner wanted there to be a bit of romantic interest. Also Paul Drake always liked her.
I read a good article in Sports Afield or maybe Outdoor Life in the early 60s by Gardner. It was about survival guns and he thought everyone should have a Smith & Wesson model 17, 6 inch barrel. I agree. It might have had a different name back then but the same gun, a .22LR on a medium frame.
I do the Perry Mason twice a day on MeTV as well.
All three of this week’s deaths are MeTV regulars.
I just hope nothing happens to Rich Koz (Son of Svengoolie.)
He’s been suffering with heart issues for several years now.
(Hence his frequent fill-ins with old material.)
Oh MAN...this is too bad...
Those were great years of TV-Mannix, Mission Impossible,
The FBI, Hawaii 5 OH. About 15 years ago we cancelled Dish network and about 10 years ago stopped watching network TV.
We have Hulu Plus and buy movies that we like.
“Her Son played Paul Drake in the later TV Perry Mason movies. They were not as good as the early TV shows.”
Her son was William Katt. He is best known for playing Mr. Hinkley (The Greatest American Hero).
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