Dennis Weaver

Charles Rocket

John Ritter

Carrie Hamilton

Nell Carter

Richard Bunkall

Al Hirt

Brian Keith

Peg Phillips

Ray Walston

 
Dennis Weaver

In March of 2003, Dennis Weaver guest starred in an episode of Touched By An Angel that I wrote called “The Good Earth,” based on an idea we developed just for him after Executive Producer Martha Williamson met him at an opening night party in Hollywood and discovered that his passion for Touched By an Angel nearly equaled his passion for the environment. In the episode, Dennis played Emmett Rivers, a reclusive inventor who’s spent twenty years developing a technology that promises to halt global warming…if only he can work out the kinks.  In the episode, Emmett Rivers is dying of cancer.  In the days he has left, he will have to share his knowledge and vision with a young man from another generation, who will carry the promise into the future…

On February 24, 2006, it was Dennis Weaver, and not Emmett Rivers, who died of complications from cancer at his home in Ridgway, Colorado.  He was 81.  I had the great privilege of knowing him and working closely with him in shaping this episode that championed the environment, a cause he cared for deeply.  It was a thrill to watch him act; to see him, at a nimble 78 years old, hop up on a horse and gallop off to close a scene.  I am saddened by his death; but in his life—certainly in the years that I knew him—he did all he could, energetically and hopefully, to pass on his knowledge and passion for conservation to the generations that remain behind.  And this includes me. 

I remember well the day I came back from the Touched By An Angel set to meet Dennis and his wife Gerry at our production office in Salt Lake City.  They had driven to Utah in their hybrid Toyota Prius to discuss the episode, which I had just finished writing.  The fact that they drove a Prius instead of some other car—and instead of flying—speaks volumes about how the Weavers lived their lives. 

They lived together in a beautiful solar-powered home constructed from 3,000 recycled tires and 300,000 aluminum cans; they called it their “Earthship”—what a great name.  Together with “Rhoda” star (and frequent Touched guest)Valerie Harper in 1982, they founded the charity L.I.F.E.—Love is Feeding Everyone (another great name!) to feed the homeless and hungry in LA.

In 2003, they led their first “Drive to Survive,” caravanning to Washington, D.C., in new-technology vehicles powered by hydrogen, electricity, natural gas, biodiesel, and other alternative fuels.  Devoted environmentalists, they sought to educated the public on developing a hydrogen economy—and in the meantime, they practiced what they preached, driving that little Prius to Utah for a story meeting. 

Dennis’s excitement that day as we talked about the episode—and his wisdom—also spoke volumes.  At every point, he influenced the writing of the script with strong ideas that came from his heart.  He was concerned about America's addiction to fossil fuels and he wanted his character Emmett to explain how this “supported our dependency on foreign oil and terrorism.”  Another line that he felt was essential described how alternative energy solutions could be “economically feasible in the larger market.”  He understood the importance of creating synergy between a strong economy and a sustainable ecology, creating “prosperity without pollution”—his words, not mine.  (This, really, was his passion.  In 1993, the Weavers founded The Institute of Ecolonomics, a word they coined by literally joining “ecology” and “economics.”)

In yet another line of dialogue that was all Dennis from the heart, Emmett states: “The government ought to pay more attention to topsoil erosion, industrial pollution, global warming.  These things are real: ocean levels are rising, choral reefs are disappearing.  It’s happening, and we know it.  But nobody seems to care.”  To which the angel Monica replies: “You care.”

Dennis Weaver did care.  Those words—“It’s happening, and we know it”—were fundamental to his thinking, and he believed that they left us with no excuse but to act.  The script that he helped craft acknowledged what he lived every day—that we have a responsibility to care about the future of this planet, and that this responsibility is ours alone.  As the angel Monica says in the episode’s penultimate scene: “This is not our home, it’s theirs [humanity’s].  And God gave the task of caring for it to them…not to angels.”

Pretty obvious, isn’t it?  Pretty simple, too—and easier than you might think.  Dennis taught me that it’s the little things that matter: using compact fluorescent light bulbs in your home, recycling, driving a hybrid car, writing your representatives…  All you had to do was do your part.

I’d like to end with one of my own lines from the script, delivered to Emmett by the angel Monica—because, whether I knew it at the time or not, the words are all the more true of Dennis Weaver himself: “You have done a wonderful thing in your life.  And God is so pleased with your work.  He is so pleased that you loved this world—this beautiful Earth that He created—because He loves it, too.  And He loves you, so much.”

Enough said…. Luke Schelhaas, producer and writer

Weaver was most well known for his deputy characters of Chester Goode in the classic TV Western Gunsmoke and as Sam McCloud in the New York crime solver McCloud.  He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Gerry, three sons and three grandchildren.

TBAA Episode:  The Good Earth

 
Charles Rocket

Many of you may remember our dear friend Charlie as the original Angel of Death. He left Touched By An Angel by the second season to take a role on a sit com that coincidentally aired opposite Touched on Sat. nights. Charlie continued to make appearances as an Angel of Death throughout the run of the series. Here’s more info on his life:
Rocket, the Weekend Update anchor on Saturday Night Live in 1980 and 1981, died on Oct. 7, 2005 in Connecticut. He was 56.
Born Charles Claverie in Bangor, Maine, he attended the Rhode Island School of Design where he was active in the arts scene and formed the band the Fabulous Motels.  He worked on newscasts in Colorado Springs and Nashville before landing the SNL spot.
Rocket appeared in feature films including: Earth Girls are Easy, Dances with Wolves, It's Pat and Dumb and Dumber, and Shade. On TV, he appeared on shows including Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Cybill, Touched by an Angel and thirtysomething.
He is survived by his wife, Beth and a son.

A Note From Martha:  It was Charlie’s performance in the first episode of Touched By An Angel that convinced me that we had something truly special.  I will never forget his first scene with Roma Downey on a neighborhood street in Salt Lake City.  Dressed in white, sitting on the steps of a home where paramedics were removing a body, Charlie bounded cheerfully down the sidewalk to greet Monica and inform her that his client had just “gone home.”  He played that role with a skillful combination of loopiness and authority, peace and humor. He embodied the gentle truth of the show: that God loves and cares for us and knows us better than we know ourselves. Charlie was a joy on and off the set, always to be counted on for his talent and his professionalism.  To his wife and family, we send our most sincere condolences and our fondest memories of a terrific, loyal friend whose regular visits to his Touched family were always a pleasure.  Charlie Rocket was a good soul and we shall miss him.

TBAA Episodes:  The Southbound Bus, The Sign of the Dove, The Root of All Evil, I Will Walk With You (1), My Dinner with Andrew, Fear Not, Show Me The Way Home, Fallen Angels, Cassie’s Choice, An Unexpected Show.

 
John Ritter

No one kept us laughing during read-throughs and production more than John Ritter. We remember the quality of his notes and the tremendous amount of heart he added to each of the characters he played in two episodes that were particularly significant to us. It was truly a privilege to have worked with him. 
John Ritter, died Thursday, September 11, 2003 of a dissection of the aorta at the age of 54.  He is best remembered for his role on the smash TV sitcom Three's Company as Jack Tripper which earned him an Emmy and the reputation as an outstanding comedic actor.
Graduating from Hollywood High School, he went on and earned a degree in drama from the University of Southern California.  John appeared in numerous television movies and films and even tried his hand in live theater.
John Ritter is survived by his wife actress Amy Yasbeck who he married in 1999, and their daughter, Stella. He is also survived by his first wife Nancy Morgan (1977 - 1996) and their three children, Jason, Tyler and Carly.
A Note From Martha:   It was John Ritter who sought ME out and asked to be on Touched By An Angel. I’ll never forget his amazing enthusiasm for our show and for its message. He was game for anything, and put his whole heart and soul into making two of our most difficult episodes two of our best.  He spent hours and hours locked in the trunk of a car for “Random Acts” and managed to seamlessly segue from humor to pathos in a matter of a few lines.  In “Black Like Monica” he tackled one of the most sensitive scenes I think has ever been filmed on the subject of racism.  Precisely because of its raw honesty and his courage to say the most horrible things with his unique brand of vulnerability, “Black Like Monica” succeeded where it might have failed.  We miss John Ritter very much and continue to keep his family in our prayers.

TBAA Episodes:  Random Acts, Black Like Monica

Voted favorite guest star by the crew, Carrie will always be remembered with fondness by all of us at TBAA. Her generous spirit and fun-loving personality impacted all of us so much that Martha Williamson is working hard to establish a living memorial to her at the Pasadena Playhouse. . .

Carrie Hamilton
Actor, playwright, screenwriter, singer/songwriter and musician Carrie Louise Hamilton was the daughter of actor Carol Burnett and the late producer, Joe Hamilton.  She was born in New York City and raised in Los Angeles.  As her many friends will attest, Carrie was a force of nature, shooting star who lived with a joyous appetite for life and a deep concern for humanity.
  The role for which she first began to receive national attention was in the television series, Fame.  Guest starring roles on other series soon followed including: Murder She Wrote; Equal Justice; Beverly Hills 90210; Thirtysomething; Walker, Texas Ranger; Touched By An Angel; Brooklyn South; and The X Files. She also starred in numerous movies for television, feature films, and theatre.
As a writer, she conceived the idea of writing a play based on her mother's best-selling memoir, One More Time. Together they wrote, Hollywood Arms, directed by Hal Prince, which premiered at Chicago's Goodman Theatre and went to Broadway shortly after Carrie died of cancer on January 20th, 2002 at the young age of 38.
TBAA Episode: The Comeback
For more information: www.carriehamiltontheatre.com

 Nell Carter

Nell was part of the fabulous, huge cast that came together to film the two-part 7th season finale Shallow Water. She brought so much energy and comic brilliance to the episode, that we will remember her always. . .
Playing the sassy housekeeper on the 1980s sitcom Gimme a Break, Nell Carter died Thursday Jan. 23, 2003 after collapsing at her Beverly Hills home. She was 54.
Growing up in Birmingham, Ala., she admitted that she would have preferred to be an opera singer.  Lucky for us, she chose acting instead.  Gimme a Break ran from 1981-87 and she took home one Emmy while garnering two additional nominations for her role.  Her talents were also seen in the theatre, where she received a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin.
Survivors include two teenage sons.

TBAA Episodes:  Shallow Water 1,2

 Richard Bunkall

Martha Williamson and Jon Andersen were inspired by Richard’s artwork when they saw it on display in Pasadena, CA. Even more so when they heard of his true-life story, including his battle with ALS. They responded with a heart-wrenching episode that featured Gregory Harrison portraying Richard and featured his artwork in the body of the episode. Richard’s “Flights of Angels” hangs proudly in Jon and Martha’s living room, and he will always have a special place in their hearts.
He passed due to complications with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease.)  1954-1999

TBAA Episode:  Flights of Angels

It was the second season of Touched when Al joined an all-star cast for an episode directed by Jon Andersen that featured lots of great jazz music. The days we shot the musical numbers, all of the production assistants and everyone in the company came out of their offices and onto the soundstage for a day of filming we’ll never forget. Mr. Hirt graciously greeted all of us and then blew his horn like no one else can!
Born November 7, 1922 in New Orleans, Louisiana he was 6 years old when he got his first trumpet, and it proved to be a life-long love affair.  He studied classical trumpet at the Cincinnati Conservatory until entering the US Army, where he spent much of his time playing with the 82nd Army Air Force Band. 
In 1960 he signed with RCA records and made quite a name for himself.  He had several pop hits such as Cotton Candy and Java which introduced him to the "mainstream" public. His many accomplishments include: 1965 concert at Carnegie Hall and a Grammy for the recording Java; played at the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy and for Pope John Paul II and 8 U.S. Presidents; and recorded more than 50 albums.
He died 27 April 1999, New Orleans, Louisiana

TBAA Episodes:  Indigo Angel

Brian Keith

We didn’t know it when Brian arrived in Salt Lake to work with us on an episode, but he was already battling cancer at that point. He was a trooper throughout our 8-day shoot, and we were saddened by the news of his passing shortly after his time with us.

Born in November 1921 in Bayonne, New Jersey, Keith's career spanned more than 40 years.  He costarred with Marlon Brando, Liz Taylor and Burt Reynolds and was the dad in the 1961 classic, The Parent Trap.
His career didn’t stop with film; from 1966-71, he played Bill Davis in Family Affair; 1971-74 saw The Brian Keith Show; followed by Hardcastle & McCormick. He was also seen in numerous TV guest starring roles including: Cybill, How the West Was Won, Hunter, Major Dad, and Touched By An Angel.
Keith is survived by his wife since 1970, Victoria Young, who played Nurse Puni on The Brian Keith Show.

TBAA Episodes:  The Sky Is Falling

Peg Phillips

We remember Peg as a consummate professional with a great sense of humor! Many of you might not know, but Peg played the original role of the grandmother on Promised Land. And she appeared in a heart-wrenching episode of Touched where her character adopted four foster children. We loved working with her and will miss her.
Margaret "Peg" Phillips, a retired accountant who took acting classes at age 65 and won fame as the tart-tongued shopkeeper Ruth-Anne Miller in the television series Northern Exposure, has died, November 7, 2002. She was 84.
She appeared in film, multiple television commercials, and guest appearances in such TV shows as: 7th Heaven, Touched By an Angel and ER.  Along withthose appearances, she had roles in made-for-TV movies How the West Was Won and Chase.
Phillips founded the Woodinville Repertory Theater and also the Theater Inside, a drama program for juvenile offenders at the Echo Glen Children's Center in Snoqualmie where she continued to work as a volunteer in the program until her health failed in recent years.
Survivors include two daughters, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. 

TBAA Episode:  The Journalist

 
Ray Walston

Ray joined us for our 7th season premiere in an episode alongside Richard Chamberlain, and he kept all of us on our toes. Working with Ray was a wonderful way to start off a new season, and we were blessed to have had him with us.
Award-winning character actor Ray Walston, died January 1, 2001.  He was 86.  He was well known for his character Uncle Martin on the 1960’s TV sitcom My Favorite Martian.
He won a Tony in 1956 for his performance as the devil in the Broadway show Damn Yankees. Memorable film roles included his portrayal as an unfaithful insurance executive in The Apartment (1960), and his only starring role in Kiss Me, Stupid (1964), with Dean Martin and Kim Novak. He also appeared as a teacher in 1982's Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Walston won two Emmys, in 1995 and 1996, for his recurring role on the TV show Picket Fences and had numerous guest starring TV roles including: 7th Heaven, Alley McBeal, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and Touched By An Angel.
TBAA Episode:  The Face on the Bar Room Floor