Spoiler : Sorry to report the passing of OTR actor-director Herb Ellis (Dragnet). Our mutual friend Peggy Webber just posted: "Many of our excellent actors have passed recently. But we have just lost one of the ones most deserving of being called an actor He was and is Herb Ellis. He died this morning at his home in San Gabriel [CA]. May God rest his soul. He was an angel to all who knew him. Never have so many owed so much to one man. He never sought credit. But did so much behind the scenes."

Spoiler : Herb was a friend and a great talent, and I'll miss him a great deal.

Spoiler : This is the end of an era for Dragnet. Well done, Herb Ellis. Rest in peace.

Spoiler : I loved this guy. He was a friend and a mentor. Herb was responsible for getting me a guest starring role on MASH. In a town where traditionally, successful friends will rarely recommend another actor to a producer for a role, he broke the tradition. I miss ya pal. Think of you often. Hugs to Sylvia.

Spoiler : Born in Cleveland, Ohio 1/17/1921. Ellis began his career as an announcer at KFMB-San Diego, California. Writer for radio programs including episodes of Nightbeat on NBC (1950-1952); Jason And The Golden Fleece on NBC (1952-1953). One of at least five actors to play Archie on The New Adventures Of Nero Wolfe for NBC-Radio (1950-1951). Joe Friday's partner on Dragnet for NBC-Radio and NBC-TV 5/15/52-6/5/52 (4 shows); again 8/21/52-9/14/52 (5 shows); briefly was an associate director for the television series. Regular performer on radio programs including Are These Our Children? for ABC (1946-1948); Escape for CBS (1947-1954); This Is Your FBI for ABC (1948-1953); Dangerous Assign- ment for NBC (1949-1953); Broadway Is My Beat for CBS (1949-1954); The Tales Of The Texas Rangers (1950-1952); Rocky Fortune for NBC (1953-1954). Regular performer on Mysteries Of Chinatown for ABC-TV (1949-1950); syndicated tele- vision series, Not For Hire (1959). Frank La Valle on The D.A.'s Man for NBC-TV (1959). Doctor Dan Wagner on Hennesey for CBS-TV (1960-1962).