'Gilligan's Island' Director Michael Joseph Kane Dies At Age 88 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 04-13-2011, 11:50 PM

Actor-director Michael Joseph Kane died of natural causes on April 6 after a brief stay in a hospice in Palm Desert, Calif. He was 88.

Kane appeared as a sailor in the original stage production of "Mr. Roberts" with Henry Fonda, later becoming the stage manager for the road company of that show. He was associated with numerous television programs including the daytime variety show "Art Linkletter's House Party," which he directed from 1952-69 at CBS.

In the 1970s Kane directed single episodes of "The Brady Bunch" and "Gilligan's Island" and was first a.d. on episodes of "The Rockford Files" and "Dallas."

Off Broadway he helmed Kurt Vonnegut's play "Happy Birthday, Wanda June," which opened at the Theatre de Lys in 1970.

As an actor he appeared in minor parts on television and stage and participated in the L.A. area workshop Theater East.

Kane served in the American military during WWII. Prior to duty and upon his return, he involved himself in radio and theater projects, which led to his move to California.

He was the president of the Radio and Television Directors Guild during its historic merger with the Screen Directors Guild in 1960 and served many years on the Health and Pension Plan Board of the Directors Guild of America. After his retirement from fulltime television work, he became a faculty member of the Dept. of Theater & Dance at Cal State Fullerton, where he taught for five years.

Kane is survived by two daughters and four grandchildren, as well as longtime companion Honey Protas.

Contributions may be made to Odyssey House, 74350 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118035422?refCatId=14

catlover79 · 04-13-2011, 11:51 PM

Marvo301 · 04-14-2011, 01:16 AM

Michael Joseph Kane

Steve Carras · 05-13-2011, 01:05 AM

He directed "The Pigeon", the one that Sterling Holloway appeared in [it was one of the last episodes and the one with that big fat hairy fugly spider subplot.

]

RIP

Liza · 05-22-2011, 05:30 PM

Sorry to hear that

04-13-2011, 11:50 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	'Gilligan's Island' Director Michael Joseph Kane Dies At Age 88 Actor-director Michael Joseph Kane died of natural causes on April 6 after a brief stay in a hospice in Palm Desert, Calif. He was 88. Kane appeared as a sailor in the original stage production of "Mr. Roberts" with Henry Fonda, later becoming the stage manager for the road company of that show. He was associated with numerous television programs including the daytime variety show "Art Linkletter's House Party," which he directed from 1952-69 at CBS. In the 1970s Kane directed single episodes of "The Brady Bunch" and "Gilligan's Island" and was first a.d. on episodes of "The Rockford Files" and "Dallas." Off Broadway he helmed Kurt Vonnegut's play "Happy Birthday, Wanda June," which opened at the Theatre de Lys in 1970. As an actor he appeared in minor parts on television and stage and participated in the L.A. area workshop Theater East. Kane served in the American military during WWII. Prior to duty and upon his return, he involved himself in radio and theater projects, which led to his move to California. He was the president of the Radio and Television Directors Guild during its historic merger with the Screen Directors Guild in 1960 and served many years on the Health and Pension Plan Board of the Directors Guild of America. After his retirement from fulltime television work, he became a faculty member of the Dept. of Theater & Dance at Cal State Fullerton, where he taught for five years. Kane is survived by two daughters and four grandchildren, as well as longtime companion Honey Protas. Contributions may be made to Odyssey House, 74350 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260. http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118035422?refCatId=14
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04-13-2011, 11:51 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382
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04-14-2011, 01:16 AM	#3
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	Michael Joseph Kane
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05-13-2011, 01:05 AM	#4
Steve Carras Sandra Bullock RULES! Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 30, 2002 Location: Riverside County, CA Posts: 807	He directed "The Pigeon", the one that Sterling Holloway appeared in [it was one of the last episodes and the one with that big fat hairy fugly spider subplot.] RIP
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05-22-2011, 05:30 PM	#5
Liza BestYearsofOurLives Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 24, 2001 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 6,537	Sorry to hear that