James T. Callahan (Walter Powell) Has Passed Away - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 08-08-2007, 03:11 AM

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James T. "Jimmy" Callahan, an actor best known for playing the cranky grandfather on television's "Charles in Charge," has died. He was 76.

Callahan, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in February, died Friday at his Fallbrook home, said his wife, Peggy Cannon-Callahan.

"As an actor, he was just an absolute pleasure. He wanted what was best for the team, and that's very rare," Scott Baio, who starred in "Charles in Charge," told The Times on Tuesday.

On the show, Callahan played Walter Powell, a retired Navy man he referred to as the "blustery old grandfather" in a 2000 People magazine interview. When CBS canceled "Charles in Charge" after one season, Callahan joined the cast for the syndicated version, which ran from 1987 to 1990. The role was a favorite that brought him wide recognition.

"He loved hanging out with us," Baio said, "and he loved, loved, loved working."

The youngest of three children, Callahan was born Oct. 4, 1930, in Grand Rapids, Mich., to William and Elenora Callahan. His father worked in sales.

After serving in the Army in West Germany from 1951 to 1953, Callahan returned home to work at the post office.

He discovered acting while attending school in the Midwest. On the advice of a teacher, he enrolled in the University of Washington to study drama and graduated in the late 1950s.

Between 1959 and 2007, Callahan appeared in more than 120 films and television shows.

He was featured in several episodes of "Dr. Kildare" on NBC in the early 1960s and played a press secretary on "The Governor & J.J.," which aired on CBS from 1969 to 1972. More recently, Callahan had appeared on several episodes of the medical drama "Body & Soul" on the Pax TV network.

One of his favorite film roles was as the band leader in "Lady Sings the Blues" (1972), his wife said. He also portrayed a country-western singer in "Outlaw Blues" (1977) with Peter Fonda. Callahan's final film, a horror movie called "Born," has not been released.

In 1994, at 63, he married for the first time. His wife survives him.

88survivor · 08-08-2007, 10:26 AM

A sad loss, indeed. He was great and funny as Grandpa Powell....I remembered him even playing as one of the relatives(an uncle that earlier passed away) from the Seaver clan that visits Mike in his visions in Growing Pains...

catlover79 · 08-08-2007, 10:36 AM

Dynomite · 08-08-2007, 10:40 AM

I remember James T. Callahan when he was Captain Fallone in an episode of The A-Team. He was a good character actor and he will be missed.

Pavan · 08-08-2007, 12:10 PM

Very sad. Here is our tribute:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/20...s-james-t.html

Zoneboy · 08-08-2007, 12:19 PM

I was in shock when I read the obit, I had no idea that he was sick because up until the day of his death, He was scheduled to attend the Twilight Zone convention that was held this past weekend in NJ. Several actors didn't show up including Mr. Callahan and it's obvious now as to why.

Scoobiedoo30 · 08-08-2007, 12:46 PM

rest in peace

MacLeaper · 08-08-2007, 03:42 PM

It's very sad to hear about this news. I loved James Callahan on "Charles in Charge". He also acted in so many different shows- I also remember him on "The Final Lap" episode of Growing Pains.
And on "Voodoo Doll" (Parts 1 and 2) on "The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries"

He will definitely be missed. May God bless his family and friends during this sad time.

Scoobiedoo30 · 08-08-2007, 03:51 PM

James also guest started on Benson

88survivor · 08-08-2007, 06:11 PM

With the release of 2nd Season, they should be a tribute to James T. Callahan...

Nighthawk76 · 08-08-2007, 06:18 PM

I'm very sorry to hear about the death of Mr. Callahan. Grandpa Powell was one of the things I liked best about the syndicated version of the series. Grandpa always makes me laugh. R.I.P., Mr. Callahan.

Skywalker · 08-08-2007, 07:10 PM

Grandpa Powell was one of my favorite characters on CIC. R.I.P. James.

freshprinceofLA · 08-08-2007, 07:52 PM

I loved James T. Callahan as walter also. He was so funny!
R.I.P.

Mr. Television · 08-08-2007, 08:36 PM

Such a great actor. I loved him in Charge in Charge. R.I.P. Mr. Callahan.

Ohio8 · 08-12-2007, 01:51 PM

He was also in the "Sometimes You Hear the Bullet" episode of M*A*S*H. He was Hawkeye's friend.

08-08-2007, 03:11 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,386	James T. Callahan (Walter Powell) Has Passed Away Link James T. "Jimmy" Callahan, an actor best known for playing the cranky grandfather on television's "Charles in Charge," has died. He was 76. Callahan, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in February, died Friday at his Fallbrook home, said his wife, Peggy Cannon-Callahan. "As an actor, he was just an absolute pleasure. He wanted what was best for the team, and that's very rare," Scott Baio, who starred in "Charles in Charge," told The Times on Tuesday. On the show, Callahan played Walter Powell, a retired Navy man he referred to as the "blustery old grandfather" in a 2000 People magazine interview. When CBS canceled "Charles in Charge" after one season, Callahan joined the cast for the syndicated version, which ran from 1987 to 1990. The role was a favorite that brought him wide recognition. "He loved hanging out with us," Baio said, "and he loved, loved, loved working." The youngest of three children, Callahan was born Oct. 4, 1930, in Grand Rapids, Mich., to William and Elenora Callahan. His father worked in sales. After serving in the Army in West Germany from 1951 to 1953, Callahan returned home to work at the post office. He discovered acting while attending school in the Midwest. On the advice of a teacher, he enrolled in the University of Washington to study drama and graduated in the late 1950s. Between 1959 and 2007, Callahan appeared in more than 120 films and television shows. He was featured in several episodes of "Dr. Kildare" on NBC in the early 1960s and played a press secretary on "The Governor & J.J.," which aired on CBS from 1969 to 1972. More recently, Callahan had appeared on several episodes of the medical drama "Body & Soul" on the Pax TV network. One of his favorite film roles was as the band leader in "Lady Sings the Blues" (1972), his wife said. He also portrayed a country-western singer in "Outlaw Blues" (1977) with Peter Fonda. Callahan's final film, a horror movie called "Born," has not been released. In 1994, at 63, he married for the first time. His wife survives him.
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08-08-2007, 10:36 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382
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08-08-2007, 12:10 PM	#5
Pavan SO News/Reviews Director Administrator Forum Superstar Join Date: Feb 17, 2000 Location: Linden, NJ (Where Hal Linden got his last name from!) Posts: 26,821	Very sad. Here is our tribute: http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/20...s-james-t.html
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08-08-2007, 12:46 PM	#7
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	rest in peace
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08-08-2007, 03:42 PM	#8
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,359	It's very sad to hear about this news. I loved James Callahan on "Charles in Charge". He also acted in so many different shows- I also remember him on "The Final Lap" episode of Growing Pains. And on "Voodoo Doll" (Parts 1 and 2) on "The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries" He will definitely be missed. May God bless his family and friends during this sad time.
	__________________ "Oh boy!" - Dr. Sam Beckett "You can do anything you wanna do if you put your mind to it." - MacGyver "Have mercy!" - Uncle Jesse "Ha, I kill me!" - ALF "I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No man comes to The Father but by Me."- Jesus Christ (John 14:6)

08-08-2007, 10:26 AM	#2
88survivor Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2006 Location: NY Posts: 1,849	A sad loss, indeed. He was great and funny as Grandpa Powell....I remembered him even playing as one of the relatives(an uncle that earlier passed away) from the Seaver clan that visits Mike in his visions in Growing Pains...

08-08-2007, 10:40 AM	#4
Dynomite Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 10, 2006 Location: near Dayton, Ohio Posts: 579	I remember James T. Callahan when he was Captain Fallone in an episode of The A-Team. He was a good character actor and he will be missed.

08-08-2007, 12:19 PM	#6
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,386	I was in shock when I read the obit, I had no idea that he was sick because up until the day of his death, He was scheduled to attend the Twilight Zone convention that was held this past weekend in NJ. Several actors didn't show up including Mr. Callahan and it's obvious now as to why.

08-08-2007, 03:51 PM	#9
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	James also guest started on Benson

08-08-2007, 06:11 PM	#10
88survivor Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 03, 2006 Location: NY Posts: 1,849	With the release of 2nd Season, they should be a tribute to James T. Callahan...

08-08-2007, 06:18 PM	#11
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	I'm very sorry to hear about the death of Mr. Callahan. Grandpa Powell was one of the things I liked best about the syndicated version of the series. Grandpa always makes me laugh. R.I.P., Mr. Callahan.

08-08-2007, 07:10 PM	#12
Skywalker Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2003 Posts: 14,204	Grandpa Powell was one of my favorite characters on CIC. R.I.P. James.

08-08-2007, 07:52 PM	#13
freshprinceofLA The Bosses Senior Member Join Date: Aug 09, 2005 Location: A small town in: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,810	I loved James T. Callahan as walter also. He was so funny! R.I.P.
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08-08-2007, 08:36 PM	#14
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Such a great actor. I loved him in Charge in Charge. R.I.P. Mr. Callahan. Attached Images
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08-12-2007, 01:51 PM	#15
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,953	He was also in the "Sometimes You Hear the Bullet" episode of MASH.* He was Hawkeye's friend.
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