Whatever became of Bea Pons and others?

[bb]

I am a big fan of Car 54 having discovered them when there were on NICK@Nite back in the late 80s and during the early days of Comedy central.

I know both Toody & Muldoon are no longer with us and that Al Lewis, Charlotte Rae,
and Nipsey Russell are, but what every became of Mrs. Toody played by Bea Pons? She still living? Also what ever happened to Albert Henderson ( O'Hara ) and Hank Garrett ( Nicholson )?

I did read elsewhere that Sgt. Block ( Paul Reed ) is still living though I'm not sure when the Car 54 website was updated. Somewhere in my collection I have a copy of a late 60s Chesterfield 101 cigarette spot featuring him.

[Jimbo]

Hank Garret, who played Officer Nicholson, is still alive, and still acting. He has a part in the movie "Baby Geniuses 2", the upcoming sequel to "Baby Geniuses" (in which he also appeared). He appeared as well in the 1999 movie "The Million Dollar Kid". It is interesting to note that another Car 54 cast member, Carl Ballantine (he played Toody's Brother-In-Law Al) was also in this movie.

Bruce Kirby ("Officer Kissel") has worked continuously since his Car 54 days, appearing in numerous movies and TV shows (he turns up in a number of "Colombo" made-for-TV movies).

Al Lewis ("Officer Schnauser") celebrated his 91st birthday in April 2001! A few years ago, he ran as the Green Party candidate for Governor of New York.

Alice Ghostley, who played Lucielle Toody's friend Bonnie Kalsheim in a few episodes, also continues to enjoy a prolific acting career.

Another Car 54 alumni who went on to have a storied acting career is the great Ossie Davis.

Nathaniel Frey, who portrayed Desk Sargent Sol Abrams, passed away in 1970.

Jack Healy ("Officer Rodriquez"), passed away in 1972.

I do not know the status of Beatrice Pons, Albert Henderson, or Paul Reed.

I had assumed that Paul Reed was no longer living, since he appeared to be about 50 years old at the time the series aired (although it's tough to judge a person's age on those early TV shows!). Then again, Al Lewis and Carl Ballantine are still with us, so hopefully Paul Reed is also.

[This message has been edited by Jimbo (edited 11-04-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Jimbo (edited 11-06-2001).]

I met and interviewed Hank Garrett (Patrolman Ed Nicholson) in May 2001 while I was out in the Los Angeles area. He's a great guy, with lots of interesting stories to tell about CAR 54, and his long career in comedy and acting. He played many of the big clubs in NYC and Brooklyn during the 50s and 60s and continues to do a one-man show.

[Jimbo]

To "stnontv": Are you at liberty to share any of those "interesting stories" that Hank Garrett told you about his "Car 54" days? If so, many of us would love to read them! Thanks.

[Goodnight Gracie]

I believe Paul Reed passed on. Could be wrong tho.

[biffbronson]

BUMP

Beatrice Pons (1906-1991) was a nice-looking lady! Already into her 50s on Bilko and Car 54, she held her own. So feisty, I like her!

[MichaelKeith]

Yeah I always liked Bea in that role too. such good comic timing on her part. Very funny woman.

[stevea]

Nobody form back in 2001 mentioned Charlotte Rae, but she lived a long life, with plenty of work after C 54.

Agree with everyone on Bea Pons.

I don't think anyone from the cast is still with us.

[Alan Brady's Hair]

List of eight people credited in Car 54, Barney Miller, and Night Court:

https://www.imdb.com/search/name/?ro...2472,tt0086770

Plus the guy who wrote Deck the Halls.

[Bub]

Originally Posted by stevea

Nobody form back in 2001 mentioned Charlotte Rae, but she lived a long life, with plenty of work after C 54.

Agree with everyone on Bea Pons.

I don't think anyone from the cast is still with us.

I don’t know if anyone else from the show is still living, but just a couple days ago I learned that Hank Garrett is 92 according to Wikipedia.

[Bonniegirl]

I am in LOVE with this show !!! I Been watching the Catchy comedy channel binge today . Saw a lot of the episodes and I can honestly say this has become one of my favorite shows ! It is hilarious ! I had seen it before but not really even a whole episode.

So friggin' funny , and realistic . The way they are so portrayed as blue collar middle class people . Such New Yorkers ! Love seeing Fred Gwynne and AL Lewis together in another show besides The Munsters . And Joe E Ross is hilarious! As well as Charlotte Rae playing AL Lewis's wife plus Nipsey Russell. Great cast , really good, funny show !

And my Husband has been watching too. He 's enjoying it, never had seen it before!

[Bub]

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

I am in LOVE with this show !!! I Been watching the Catchy comedy channel binge today . Saw a lot of the episodes and I can honestly say this has become one of my favorite shows ! It is hilarious ! I had seen it before but not really even a whole episode.

So friggin' funny , and realistic . The way they are so portrayed as blue collar middle class people . Such New Yorkers ! Love seeing Fred Gwynne and AL Lewis together in another show besides The Munsters . And Joe E Ross is hilarious! As well as Charlotte Rae playing AL Lewis's wife plus Nipsey Russell. Great cast , really good, funny show !

And my Husband has been watching too. He 's enjoying it, never had seen it before!

I tuned in yesterday, but didn’t catch a full episode. I have yet to get into this show. It’s not bad, but it doesn’t keep my attention for some reason. I’ll keep trying an episode from time to time because I do love 50s & 60s sitcoms. Sometimes I just keep going back and eventually I learn to like them, maybe because I get tired of watching the ones I’ve practically memorized!
That’s what finally happened with The Donna Reed Show. It finally clicked and I watched the first five seasons & enjoyed them. I hope to catch the last three at some point.