You never could tell with John Forsythe.
Forsythe, who died at age 92 Thursday from cancer and pneumonia, was an actor whose best-known roles covered a wide berth and different hair colors.
In the '50s, he starred as "Bachelor Father" Bentley Gregg, the young, dark-haired, rich single uncle of a teenage girl (Noreen Corcoran, the sister of Mouseketeer and Disney actor Kevin Corcoran) and the boss of a "houseboy" (Sammee Tong). The series name had an innocent connotation and it was just that -- a very wholesome series as Gregg tried to raise his niece Kelly and keep her from the clutches of teenage boys while trying to get his own romantic life in gear.
In the '70s, he was the mysterious Charles Townshend, the man behind "Charlie's Angels." Viewers heard Townshend, but never saw his face. But he was the boss of his "Angels" and their helper, Bosley (David Doyle). His voice conveyed authority -- and the very distinct impression he enjoyed being the boss of three beautiful women. When Townshend's image was seen on camera, usually with his back to the camera, it was often surrounded by a bevy of beauties. Some of the success of the series must be attributed to the mystery aura that Forsythe helped foster. He later played the role in the big-screen movie adaptations starring Drew Barrymore.
In the '80s, he took on a darker role as the silver-haired Blake Carrington on "Dynasty," ABC's answer to the Ewing clan on "Dallas," and helped lead the series to the top of the ratings. Instead of wealthy Texans, the Carringtons were wealthy Colorado oil magnates. But money didn't stop the Carringtons from inner disputes and catfights, especially between current wife Krystle (Linda Evans) and former wife Alexis (Joan Collins). In one of the highlights of the series, Alexis is revealed as the star witness in Blake's murder trial. (See video below.)
Besides TV, Forsythe was also a distinguished movie actor in such films as "The Trouble With Harry, " Topaz," "Madame X," "In Cold Blood" and "Kitten With a Whip."
"Bachelor Father" isn't on DVD, but both "Charlie's Angels" and "Dynasty" are.
Alexis (Joan Collins) make a shocking appearance in court during Blake's trial at the end of season one.
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Comments
It was the 70's with Charlie's Angels and the 80's with Dynasty. You're way off.
Yeah, I was going to let him know that he's a decade off, too. For some reason, John Forsythe's death really hit me hard. I mean, it's not like I knew him personally, and he wasn't a huge movie star or anything, but there was just something about him that I connected with ever since I was a little girl. I've always, always liked him in everything I've ever seen him in all through my life. I know it's silly, but his death, more so than any other celebrity's, feels like a death in my own family.
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