WHATEVER HAPPENED TO: Gary Sandy - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 04-02-2011, 06:58 PM

http://talkingmoviezzz.blogspot.com/...ary-sandy.html

Wednesday, September 16, 2009
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO: GARY SANDY

Gary Sandy is an actor who may just be known for one role. It was a good enough role that, even today, he is still well remembered.

Gary studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before beginning work on the soap opera AS THE WORLD TURNS. Throughout the 1970’s, he worked in theatre as well as assorted small roles in films (SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE, HAIL, THE LAST OF THE COWBOYS) along with TV shows (MEDICAL CENTER, STARSKY AND HUTCH, CHiPS).

In 1978 he would have his breakthrough role, that of Andy Travis, the program director at WKRP IN CINCINNATI. Surrounded by eccentric characters, Andy was sort of the voice of reason at the station. WKRP was, to me, one of the decades most memorable sitcoms. But, it only ran for four seasons.

After WKRP went off the air, Gary appeared in a film every once in a while. There were horror films such as TROLL and MOMMY’S DAY as well as TV appearances on MURDER SHE WROTE, DIAGNOSIS MURDER, SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH and back to soap operas on YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. He even had a small role as a lawyer in Michael Mann’s THE INSIDER.

But there was nothing at the level of WKRP.

So, What Ever Happened To Him?

Gary continues to work on his first love, the theatre. He routinely appears in regional theatre and in traveling companies of various shows. He played Billy Flynn in the play CHICAGO, as well as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS opposite Ann-Margret. He has played Harold Hill in THE MUSIC MAN in seven different productions.

A few years ago, I was walking in EPCOT CENTER at WALT DISNEY WORLD. I happened to look up and see this very familiar looking guy walk past me. I'm pretty sure it was Gary Sandy!!

He was headed to one of the restaurants in the World Showcase. This was over twenty years after WKRP went off the air, and he still looked the same.

catlover79 · 04-05-2011, 08:22 PM

I did see Mr. Sandy and Ann-Margret perform The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas when the show came to Cleveland in early 2002. They both did a great job. I also would love the chance to see him as Harold Hill - especially performing "You've Got Trouble".

Retro4Life · 04-05-2011, 09:14 PM

I am not 100 percent sure, but I think Sandy played "Tom" on ATWT way back when.

One of MANY actors to play that role, obviously.

catlover79 · 04-05-2011, 09:18 PM

Many actors did indeed portray Tom Hughes, but Gary Sandy wasn't one of them. He played a character named Hank on ATWT in 1970.

Retro4Life · 04-05-2011, 09:20 PM

^ Hmm...OK, thanks. I know there was someone who resembled Sandy who played Tom, though...wonder who that was? Or if I'm just getting senile?

catlover79 · 04-05-2011, 09:47 PM

I have no idea - that was before my time!!

I did read somewhere that Richard "John-Boy Walton" Thomas played Tom as a child.

Heidi Dawn · 04-06-2011, 03:02 PM

I'm glad that he's still doing theatre, he enjoys it. It would be nice to see him on TV again. Gary still looks good for his age, I've seen recent pictures of him. One of my many crushes from TV.

04-02-2011, 06:58 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	WHATEVER HAPPENED TO: Gary Sandy http://talkingmoviezzz.blogspot.com/...ary-sandy.html Wednesday, September 16, 2009 WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO: GARY SANDY Gary Sandy is an actor who may just be known for one role. It was a good enough role that, even today, he is still well remembered. Gary studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before beginning work on the soap opera AS THE WORLD TURNS. Throughout the 1970’s, he worked in theatre as well as assorted small roles in films (SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE, HAIL, THE LAST OF THE COWBOYS) along with TV shows (MEDICAL CENTER, STARSKY AND HUTCH, CHiPS). In 1978 he would have his breakthrough role, that of Andy Travis, the program director at WKRP IN CINCINNATI. Surrounded by eccentric characters, Andy was sort of the voice of reason at the station. WKRP was, to me, one of the decades most memorable sitcoms. But, it only ran for four seasons. After WKRP went off the air, Gary appeared in a film every once in a while. There were horror films such as TROLL and MOMMY’S DAY as well as TV appearances on MURDER SHE WROTE, DIAGNOSIS MURDER, SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH and back to soap operas on YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. He even had a small role as a lawyer in Michael Mann’s THE INSIDER. But there was nothing at the level of WKRP. So, What Ever Happened To Him? Gary continues to work on his first love, the theatre. He routinely appears in regional theatre and in traveling companies of various shows. He played Billy Flynn in the play CHICAGO, as well as Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS opposite Ann-Margret. He has played Harold Hill in THE MUSIC MAN in seven different productions. A few years ago, I was walking in EPCOT CENTER at WALT DISNEY WORLD. I happened to look up and see this very familiar looking guy walk past me. I'm pretty sure it was Gary Sandy!! He was headed to one of the restaurants in the World Showcase. This was over twenty years after WKRP went off the air, and he still looked the same. Attached Images
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

04-05-2011, 09:14 PM	#3
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I am not 100 percent sure, but I think Sandy played "Tom" on ATWT way back when. One of MANY actors to play that role, obviously.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

04-06-2011, 03:02 PM	#7
Heidi Dawn Muppets Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 01, 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 883	I'm glad that he's still doing theatre, he enjoys it. It would be nice to see him on TV again. Gary still looks good for his age, I've seen recent pictures of him. One of my many crushes from TV.
	__________________ Complete Series Box Sets I own: MASH, Three's Company, Gilligan's Island, The Dukes Of Hazzard, The Golden Girls, The Monkees, The Brady Bunch, Full House, I Dream Of Jeannie, Bewitched, Taxi, Gimme A Break, Dallas, Charlie's Angels, Joanie Loves Chachi, Laverne & Shirley, Mork & Mindy, The Cosby Show, The Facts of Life, Family Ties, Diff'rent Strokes, Green Acres.

04-05-2011, 08:22 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I did see Mr. Sandy and Ann-Margret perform The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas when the show came to Cleveland in early 2002. They both did a great job. I also would love the chance to see him as Harold Hill - especially performing "You've Got Trouble".

04-05-2011, 09:18 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Many actors did indeed portray Tom Hughes, but Gary Sandy wasn't one of them. He played a character named Hank on ATWT in 1970.

04-05-2011, 09:20 PM	#5
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	^ Hmm...OK, thanks. I know there was someone who resembled Sandy who played Tom, though...wonder who that was? Or if I'm just getting senile?

04-05-2011, 09:47 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I have no idea - that was before my time!! I did read somewhere that Richard "John-Boy Walton" Thomas played Tom as a child.