Spoiler : One of a kind. Even his brief appearances on Knott's Landing were classic.

Spoiler : Howard Duff

Spoiler : Happy birthday, Howard Duff! We love our private detective stories and Dashiell Hammett's legendary private eye, Sam Spade, is at the top of our list. Duff played the role expertly along side Lurene Tuttle, who co-starred as Spade's secretary Effie.

Spoiler : Born in Bremerton, Washington 11/24/1917; died 7/9/1990 of a heart attack in Santa Barbara, California. Married and divorced to Ida Lupino (1951-1973). Studied acting at the Repertory Playhouse in Seattle, Washington. Duff began his radio career at KOMO-Seattle as an announcer in 1935. Screen debut in Brute Force (1947). Lynn Reed on the NBC-BLUE soap, Dear John presented on Irene Rich Dramas (1941). Sam Spade on The Adventures of Sam Spade for the CBS and NBC Radio Networks (1946-1950). Mike McCoy on The McCoy for NBC-Radio (1950-1951). John Stevens in the audition program of Johnny Nighthawk (1954). Host of Adventure Night on Sears Radio Theatre for CBS-Radio (1979-1980). Howard Adams on Mr. Adams And Eve (wife Ida Lupino as Eve) for CBS-TV (1957- 1958). Willie Dante on Dante for NBC-TV (1960-1961). Detective Sergeant Sam Stone on Felony Squad for ABC-TV (1966-1969). Sheriff Titus Semple on Flamingo Road for NBC-TV (1981-1982). Paul Galveston on Knots Landing for CBS-TV (1984- 1985). Senator Henry Harrison O'Dell on Dallas for CBS-TV (1988).