Tom Poston dies at 85 (1 Viewer)

[Henry Gale]

This excerpt from his obit is the part of his career I knew best:

"Poston's run as a comic bumbler began with "The Steve Allen Show" after Allen plucked the character actor from the Broadway stage to join an ensemble of eccentrics he would conduct "man in the street" interviews with.

Don Knotts was the shaky Mr. Morrison, Louis Nye was the suave, overconfident Gordon Hathaway and Poston's character was so unnerved by the television cameras that he couldn't remember who he was. He won an Emmy playing "The Man Who Can't Remember His Name."

 

[Bryan X]

I remember meeting him after seeing a taping of Newhart in L.A.

A truly gifted actor. R.I.P.

 

[Rob Willey]

Yesterday when I heard he had died, without thinking I pointed at his picture on the TV screen and said "Zotz!". Then I thought about it and felt very bad.

RIP, Tom. I truly enjoyed your work.

Rob

 

[ThomasC]

RIP, Tom. :frowning:

 

[TonyD]

crap

i really liked this show and his clown who lived in the closet.

 

[Marty M]

He had been married to Suzanne Pleshette for the last 5 or 6 years.

 

[Johnny Angell]

This is the first I've heard of that, though I admit I don't follow celebrity private lives all that much.

He was good in everything he did, but I still consider the Steve Allen Show to be the peak of comedy on TV. Oh, that show was so funny. Bill Dana, Louis Nye, Don Knotts, and Tom. I know I'm forgetting others.

What was the guy who always said "Why Not?" It always cracked me up. I still remember the time Steve got a glimpse of himself on the monitor as a sportscaster or newsman, and couldn't stop laughing. And Tom's switch from happy to suddenly vacant look when asked him name, funny, funny, funny.

 

[LarryDavenport]

The Peeper will be missed.

I also liked Committed.

 

[Jonathan_]

He had a part on an episode of Home Improvement that was hilarious. He will be missed.

 

[RyanAn]

I new him first as the handyman/security guard on Family Matters, but grew to love him on his countless other contributions to television. His short-lived sitcom "Commited" was easily in my top 5 new shows cancelled before it's time of this millenium, and I'm really honest about that.

ry