A trilogy of passings

While the northeast was being battered with severe, violent thunderstorms over the weekend, there were a trio of passings to pass along.

Peter Fonda produced, co-wrote, and starred in 1968's "Easy Rider", co-authoring the script with Dennis Hopper and Terry Southern. "Rider" is the film Fonda is best remembered for, atop a resume that also included films such as "Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry", "Futureworld", & "Open Season". Fonda also dabbled in recording music, releasing one single in the late 60's. He made only one movie with his sister, Jane, "Spirits of The Dead", also released in 1968, and directed by Jane's then-husband, Roger Vadim.

Peter Fonda passed away Friday at 79.
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Cedric Benson was a first round draft pick out of Texas in 2005, drafted by the Chicago Bears, but spent just 3 seasons in Chi-town (2005-7), and continued his playing career in Cincinnati (2008-11) and Green Bay (2012). Benson was killed in a motorcycle accident on Sunday. Benson was 35.
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When CBS had broadcast rights to horse racing's Triple Crown in the 60's & 70's, veteran sportscaster and World War II veteran Jack Whitaker helped shape the word picture before the race. Some YouTube commentators and online accounts mistakenly assumed Whitaker was also the race announcer for Secretariat's record-breaking victory in the 1973 Belmont Stakes. That was instead Chic Anderson, who was contracted by CBS to call the races for the network, although at Belmont itself, the late Fred Capposella called the race.

Whitaker was also tabbed by game show icon Bob Stewart to helm Stewart's first game show for CBS as an independent producer, 1966's The Face is Familiar. In this sample, Whitaker is joined by actors Bob Crane (Hogan's Heroes) & June Lockhart (Lost in Space):



Familiar didn't last very long, and we'll take a longer look at it another day. Whitaker also covered football and golf for CBS until leaving for ABC, where he continued to work on horse racing when ABC acquired the rights to the Triple Crown (now in the hands of NBC).

Whitaker passed away Sunday at 95.

Rest in peace, gentlemen.