FYI: Hassie and Little Luke

There was a previous query concerning what happened to Lydia Reed and Michael Winkleman.
Not long before the TNN Reunion show, Kathleen Nolan and Richard Crenna took part in an on line chat. I read the transcript on a website lurid.com that used to have a section for rural tv. As I recall, a question came up about the kids who played Hassie and Little Luke. Kathleen Nolan related the following:

Lydia Reed: After leaving TRM she left acting altogether and is currently a wife and mother living in the San Fernando Valley.

Michael Winkleman: After leaving TRM and finding acting jobs scarce, he too decided to leave acting and was last known to be a greenskeeper at Universal Studios, California.

Apparently, neither one had any interest in joining the reunion show.

[sbwalker53]

We're glad to know that the two actors from one of our favorite sitcoms ever both are alive and well. My wife and I were concerned as well about their absences from the TNN reunion show -- for goodness' sake, they were not even mentioned! Their performances -- in particular, Lydia Reed's in the surprise party episode -- were crucial to our love for this show.

[tv star collector]

Originally Posted by Caladon

There was a previous query concerning what happened to Lydia Reed and Michael Winkleman.
Not long before the TNN Reunion show, Kathleen Nolan and Richard Crenna took part in an on line chat. I read the transcript on a website lurid.com that used to have a section for rural tv. As I recall, a question came up about the kids who played Hassie and Little Luke. Kathleen Nolan related the following:

Lydia Reed: After leaving TRM she left acting altogether and is currently a wife and mother living in the San Fernando Valley.

Michael Winkleman: After leaving TRM and finding acting jobs scarce, he too decided to leave acting and was last known to be a greenskeeper at Universal Studios, California.

Apparently, neither one had any interest in joining the reunion show.

Thanks for the update on Lydia Reed and Michael Winkleman. I had wondered
whatever became of them.

[Pilor]

With regards to Mike Winkelman, both Sag and IMBD say he was deceased in 1999? Also, there is no bio info of any sorts on the web. Not susprising considering many child actors in the 1950's were simply out of the business by the time they reached high school.

I was stationed (Navy - Hawaii) with "Lil Luke" briefly in 1967 time frame. Quiet sort of guy but very nice and absolutely no ego about his past acting career. Matter of fact, after the initial novelty wore off, he went from being called "Lil Luke" to just plain Winkelman. To me, he was not what you would call a "popular" guy, probably more of the opposite. My group left shortly after his group arrived and I do not recollect ever getting to know him.

Im also curious as to what happened in his adult life since anyone in my age bracket remembers the "Real McCoys".

[Dr. Trocar]

Pilor, Sadly, Michael L. Winkelman is indeed deceased June 6, 1946-July 27, 1999 age 43, and 1 month. As Far as I know at Present only Kathleen and Lydia are the only remaining cast members alive. Luke,(richard Crenna) and of course George (Andy Clyde)and Flora (Madge Blake) Mac Michael are gone. As is Pepino,(Tony Martinez) 9/16/02.

[Tom Barrister]

My understanding is that they were both a bit hard to handle in the final season, which is why they weren't used much.

Lydia Reed simply got tired of the acting business. Since her whereabouts were known, it's likely that she was approached regarding the "Reunion" and declined to participate.

Michael Winkleman had health issues that prevented him from participating in the "Reunion" and passed away shortly thereafter at age 53.

[mimi]

I would like to know how they explained their absence on the show, or did they just not say as was the usual for the day