ronaldmcdonald
06-27-2012, 09:36 PM
Sad news for Classic TV fans: Don Grady, best known as Robbie Douglas on the hit 1950s sitcom My Three Sons (and before that, an original Mouseketeer alongside Annette Funicello, Johnny Crawford, Jimmie Dodd and more), has died.
Don Louis Agrati was born in San Francisco, California on June 8, 1944.
According to his obituary from Variety, Don had mastered several musical instruments by age 10, 3 years before becoming a Mouseketeer.
In 1959, 15-year-old Don (who died tonight of Cancer) was cast opposite fellow Disney alumni Fred MacMurray on a situation comedy pilot for the ABC Television Network called My Three Sons, which debuted on September 29, 1960 and lasted 12 successful years until April 13, 1972, spanning 380 shows.
Don left My Three Sons in 1971, at the end of Season 11, to concentrate on a full-time career as a Film/TV composer; in fact, per his Variety obituary, Don also wrote a few songs for My Three Sons during his tenure on the show.
On a personal note, I was fortunate enough to meet Don via the world of Facebook, and though I talked to him a few times, Don always had a word of encouragement for me, as I continue to pursue my own Showbiz dreams.
Don is survived by his wife of 26 years, Ginny Lewsader, and their 2 teenage children, Joey and Tessa, along with his mother, Mary.
A younger sister, Lani (known for TVs Eight is Enough), died in 2001, aged 47, of a Drug Overdose; her death was accidental.
In conclusion, lets remember Don Grady, dead tonight of Cancer, aged 68.
I strongly encourage, in rememberance of Don, to watch My Three Sons for a Don Grady Rememberance Weekend; I have the first 18 episodes on DVD along with 3 other episodes, all from their original network broadcasts.
Don Louis Agrati was born in San Francisco, California on June 8, 1944.
According to his obituary from Variety, Don had mastered several musical instruments by age 10, 3 years before becoming a Mouseketeer.
In 1959, 15-year-old Don (who died tonight of Cancer) was cast opposite fellow Disney alumni Fred MacMurray on a situation comedy pilot for the ABC Television Network called My Three Sons, which debuted on September 29, 1960 and lasted 12 successful years until April 13, 1972, spanning 380 shows.
Don left My Three Sons in 1971, at the end of Season 11, to concentrate on a full-time career as a Film/TV composer; in fact, per his Variety obituary, Don also wrote a few songs for My Three Sons during his tenure on the show.
On a personal note, I was fortunate enough to meet Don via the world of Facebook, and though I talked to him a few times, Don always had a word of encouragement for me, as I continue to pursue my own Showbiz dreams.
Don is survived by his wife of 26 years, Ginny Lewsader, and their 2 teenage children, Joey and Tessa, along with his mother, Mary.
A younger sister, Lani (known for TVs Eight is Enough), died in 2001, aged 47, of a Drug Overdose; her death was accidental.
In conclusion, lets remember Don Grady, dead tonight of Cancer, aged 68.
I strongly encourage, in rememberance of Don, to watch My Three Sons for a Don Grady Rememberance Weekend; I have the first 18 episodes on DVD along with 3 other episodes, all from their original network broadcasts.