Chris Cummins Jan 24, 2017
A look-back at the previous attempts to bring Archie to TV before they got it right with Riverdale...
When Riverdale premieres on the CW on January 26th, it will mark a milestone for Archie Comics - the first time in the company's 75-year history that its characters will truly shine on television. A mix of gleefully ridiculous kitsch with standout performances and some truly smart writing, the series is poised to be 2017's breakout TV hit.
See related Shane Black: a career retrospective Zack Snyder interview: Batman V Superman
That said, it took a while for Archie to get to this point. There have been many attempts to bring Archie and his friends to TV before, but these all suffered for either being shoddily animated (the various 1960s cartoons), misguided (1990's Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again), or just plain, um, weird (the X-Files cash-in Archie's Weird Mysteries...
A look-back at the previous attempts to bring Archie to TV before they got it right with Riverdale...
When Riverdale premieres on the CW on January 26th, it will mark a milestone for Archie Comics - the first time in the company's 75-year history that its characters will truly shine on television. A mix of gleefully ridiculous kitsch with standout performances and some truly smart writing, the series is poised to be 2017's breakout TV hit.
See related Shane Black: a career retrospective Zack Snyder interview: Batman V Superman
That said, it took a while for Archie to get to this point. There have been many attempts to bring Archie and his friends to TV before, but these all suffered for either being shoddily animated (the various 1960s cartoons), misguided (1990's Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again), or just plain, um, weird (the X-Files cash-in Archie's Weird Mysteries...
- 1/22/2017
- Den of Geek
The year now ending marks another 12-month period of losing talents who have given television viewers entertainment or information ... and some of those passings, even more sadly, came as major and untimely shocks. Zap2it remembers:
Paul Walker: The actor best-known for the "Fast & Furious" movies had career roots in such TV shows as "Who's the Boss?" "Highway to Heaven" and "Touched by an Angel."
James Gandolfini: He projected so much older as mobster Tony Soprano, many were surprised to learn the three-time Emmy winner only was in his 30s and 40s when he played the part.
Cory Monteith: As Finn Hudson on "Glee," the Canadian-born performer touched fans of all ages both in life and afterward.
Jean Stapleton: Forever TV's top "dingbat," the "All in the Family" actress earned three Emmys as lovably daffy Edith Bunker.
Jonathan Winters: The improvisation genius who inspired his...
Paul Walker: The actor best-known for the "Fast & Furious" movies had career roots in such TV shows as "Who's the Boss?" "Highway to Heaven" and "Touched by an Angel."
James Gandolfini: He projected so much older as mobster Tony Soprano, many were surprised to learn the three-time Emmy winner only was in his 30s and 40s when he played the part.
Cory Monteith: As Finn Hudson on "Glee," the Canadian-born performer touched fans of all ages both in life and afterward.
Jean Stapleton: Forever TV's top "dingbat," the "All in the Family" actress earned three Emmys as lovably daffy Edith Bunker.
Jonathan Winters: The improvisation genius who inspired his...
- 12/31/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Frank Bank, the actor who played Lumpy Rutherford on the 1950s hit sitcom Leave It to Beaver, died Saturday, April 13, one day after celebrating his 71st birthday. A friend, Stu Shostak, confirmed Bank's passing to the New York Times on April 16 but did not provide a cause of death. According to the Los Angeles Times, however, Bank suffered a number of illnesses in recent years. His Leave It to Beaver costar Jerry Mathers, who played the title character from 1957 to 1963 and later reprised [...]...
- 4/16/2013
- by Allison Takeda
- Us Weekly
Frank Bank, best known for his role as Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford on the classic TV series Leave It to Beaver, has died. He was 71. The Los Angeles Times reported that Bank died Saturday, but the location and cause of death were not revealed. His former Beaver co-star Jerry Mathers, who played the title character on the 1958-63 comedy, told the Times that he had been hospitalized recently in Rancho Mirage and had been suffering from illnesses. "Lumpy was the ultimate bully, but Frank was a very, very kind and gentle person and a very good actor to
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- 4/16/2013
- by THR staff
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sad news for "Leave It To Beaver Fans" as Frank Bank, who played "Lumpy," the neighbor and often times tormenting friend of young Theodore Cleaver, died. He was 71. Often accompanying the smarmy Eddie Haskell in scene, Lumpy Rutherford was one of this classic American TV sitcom's memorable characters. CNN reported that Frank Bank, who played Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford on "Leave It to Beaver" died Saturday, a day after he turned 71. No cause of death was given. The series - which aired from 1957 to 1963 - starred Jerry Mathers as Beaver Cleaver, Barbara Billingsley as mum June, and Hugh Beaumont as dad Ward, always being warned about some sort of trouble with the "Beaver." Ken Osmond starred...
- 4/16/2013
- by April Neale
- Monsters and Critics
Frank Bank, who played Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford on the classic TV comedy "Leave It to Beaver," died Saturday of undisclosed causes, People magazine reports. Bank turned 71 on Friday. Bank's former costar Jerry Mathers, who played the titular scamp Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver, reflected on the reported death of his colleague on his Facebook page Saturday." "I was so sad to hear today of the passing of my dear friend and business associate Frank Bank," Mathers wrote. "He was a character and always kept us laughing." Also read: Notable Celebrity Deaths of 2013 Bank played...
- 4/15/2013
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Frank Bank, who portrayed bully Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford in the classic 1957-1963 sitcom "Leave It to Beaver," passed away on Saturday (April 13), just one day after his 71st birthday, according to several reports.
Jerry Mathers, star of "Beaver," shared his condolences over Bank's passing via a Facebook post on Saturday, writing, "I was so sad to hear today of the passing of my dear friend and business associate Frank Bank, who played Lumpy on 'Leave it to Beaver.' He was a character and always kept us laughing. My deepest condolences to Frank's family."
The cause of death had not been reported.
Following his run on "Beaver," Bank made sporadic appearances on TV on "The Hollywood Squares," "Family Feud," and "The New Leave It to Beaver," which ran from 1983-'89, but he had mostly left acting behind to embark on a successful career as a bond broker.
Bank is survived...
Jerry Mathers, star of "Beaver," shared his condolences over Bank's passing via a Facebook post on Saturday, writing, "I was so sad to hear today of the passing of my dear friend and business associate Frank Bank, who played Lumpy on 'Leave it to Beaver.' He was a character and always kept us laughing. My deepest condolences to Frank's family."
The cause of death had not been reported.
Following his run on "Beaver," Bank made sporadic appearances on TV on "The Hollywood Squares," "Family Feud," and "The New Leave It to Beaver," which ran from 1983-'89, but he had mostly left acting behind to embark on a successful career as a bond broker.
Bank is survived...
- 4/15/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Frank Bank, who played the clumsy bully Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford on the beloved late '50s TV series "Leave It to Beaver," died on April 13 -- one day after he celebrated his 71st birthday.
According to People magazine, no cause of death was reported.
Bank's "Leave It to Beaver" co-star Jerry Mathers took to his Facebook page to share a few words about his pal on Saturday, writing, "I was so sad to hear today of the passing of my dear friend and business associate Frank Bank, who played Lumpy on Leave it to Beaver. He was a character and always kept us laughing. My deepest condolences to Frank's family."
Bank was born in a Los Angeles hospital corridor during an air raid drill in 1942, according to the NY Daily News. One of his first acting jobs was playing the young Will Rogers in a 1952 film biography titled "The Will Rogers Story.
According to People magazine, no cause of death was reported.
Bank's "Leave It to Beaver" co-star Jerry Mathers took to his Facebook page to share a few words about his pal on Saturday, writing, "I was so sad to hear today of the passing of my dear friend and business associate Frank Bank, who played Lumpy on Leave it to Beaver. He was a character and always kept us laughing. My deepest condolences to Frank's family."
Bank was born in a Los Angeles hospital corridor during an air raid drill in 1942, according to the NY Daily News. One of his first acting jobs was playing the young Will Rogers in a 1952 film biography titled "The Will Rogers Story.
- 4/15/2013
- by Leigh Blickley
- Huffington Post
Frank Bank, best known for playing Clarence “Lumpy” Rutherford on the classic TV series Leave It to Beaver from 1957-1963, died April 13, according to numerous published reports.
Beaver star Jerry Mathers posted a message of condolence to his Facebook page on Saturday, writing, “I was so sad to hear today of the passing of my dear friend and business associate Frank Bank, who played Lumpy on Leave it to Beaver. He was a character and always kept us laughing. My deepest condolences to Frank’s family.”
On the show, Bank’s “Lumpy” Rutherford was the insecure and clumsy local bully who harassed the Cleaver boys,...
Beaver star Jerry Mathers posted a message of condolence to his Facebook page on Saturday, writing, “I was so sad to hear today of the passing of my dear friend and business associate Frank Bank, who played Lumpy on Leave it to Beaver. He was a character and always kept us laughing. My deepest condolences to Frank’s family.”
On the show, Bank’s “Lumpy” Rutherford was the insecure and clumsy local bully who harassed the Cleaver boys,...
- 4/15/2013
- by John Mitchell
- EW - Inside TV
Frank Bank, who played the clumsy bully Clarence ‘Lumpy’ Rutherford on the popular 1950′s show ‘Leave It To Beaver’ has died at 71 years old on April 13. So sad.
The actor Frank Bank died on April 13, one day after his 71st birthday. Frank was most famous for playing the bully Lumpy on the hit show Leave It To Beaver, which ran from 1957 to 1963. No cause of death was reported.
Frank Bank Dies At 71 Years Old
Frank died on April 13, reports People magazine. He is survived by his wife Rebecca, and his two daughters from his first marriage.
“I was so sad to hear today of the passing of my dear friend and business associate Frank Bank, who played Lumpy on Leave it to Beaver,” wrote Frank’s co-star Jerry Mathers on Facebook. “He was a character and always kept us laughing. My deepest condolences to Frank’s family.”
Frank’s autobiography,...
The actor Frank Bank died on April 13, one day after his 71st birthday. Frank was most famous for playing the bully Lumpy on the hit show Leave It To Beaver, which ran from 1957 to 1963. No cause of death was reported.
Frank Bank Dies At 71 Years Old
Frank died on April 13, reports People magazine. He is survived by his wife Rebecca, and his two daughters from his first marriage.
“I was so sad to hear today of the passing of my dear friend and business associate Frank Bank, who played Lumpy on Leave it to Beaver,” wrote Frank’s co-star Jerry Mathers on Facebook. “He was a character and always kept us laughing. My deepest condolences to Frank’s family.”
Frank’s autobiography,...
- 4/15/2013
- by Eleanore Hutch
- HollywoodLife
Frank Bank, who played the clumsy bully Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford on the popular 1957-1963 series Leave It to Beaver, died Saturday, one day after his 71st birthday, say published reports. No cause of death was reported. Beaver star Jerry Mathers, now 64, posted to his Facebook page Saturday: "I was so sad to hear today of the passing of my dear friend and business associate Frank Bank, who played Lumpy on Leave it to Beaver. He was a character and always kept us laughing. My deepest condolences to Frank's family." Born in Los Angeles, Bank first appeared on screen as the...
- 4/15/2013
- by Stephen M. Silverman
- PEOPLE.com
Actor Frank Bank died this morning, one day after he turned 71. Today is his friend and former co-star Tony Dow's 68th birthday. (The photo above, from Jerry Mathers' Facebook page, was taken in June 2012 and shows co-stars Ken Osmond, Bank, Dow, and Mathers.)
Bank was primarily know for his role as Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford on the Leave It to Beaver sitcom in the 1950s and 60s. He reprised his role as Wally Cleaver's friend in the Still the Beaver TV movie and the 1980s sequel series, The New Leave It to Beaver, joining most of the original sitcom's surviving cast.
Bank made a brief cameo in the 1997 film Leave It to Beaver as "Frank."
In addition to Beaver, Bank appeared on several 1950s and 60s TV shows and also played comic book character Archie Andrews in the Life...
Bank was primarily know for his role as Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford on the Leave It to Beaver sitcom in the 1950s and 60s. He reprised his role as Wally Cleaver's friend in the Still the Beaver TV movie and the 1980s sequel series, The New Leave It to Beaver, joining most of the original sitcom's surviving cast.
Bank made a brief cameo in the 1997 film Leave It to Beaver as "Frank."
In addition to Beaver, Bank appeared on several 1950s and 60s TV shows and also played comic book character Archie Andrews in the Life...
- 4/14/2013
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Some of the surviving members of Leave It to Beaver recently reunited at The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles.
Those attending were Frank Bank (Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford), Jerry Mathers (Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver), Tony Dow (Wally Cleaver) and Ken Osmond (Eddie Haskell). Barbara Billingsley (mother June Cleaver), who is now 94 years old, was not present.
Matt Hurwitz was the event's moderator. The actors discussed being cast on the show and their recollections of filming it. They also talked about the late Hugh Beaumont (dad Ward Cleaver), Richard Deacon (Lumpy's father), and directors Norman Tokar and Norman Abbott.
Dow recalled that, when the Still the Beaver reunion movie was being prepared, they tried to find Robert "Rusty" Stevens, who played Beaver's pudgy friend Larry Mondello. When the detective they hired went to his home, his wife answered. She wasn't...
Those attending were Frank Bank (Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford), Jerry Mathers (Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver), Tony Dow (Wally Cleaver) and Ken Osmond (Eddie Haskell). Barbara Billingsley (mother June Cleaver), who is now 94 years old, was not present.
Matt Hurwitz was the event's moderator. The actors discussed being cast on the show and their recollections of filming it. They also talked about the late Hugh Beaumont (dad Ward Cleaver), Richard Deacon (Lumpy's father), and directors Norman Tokar and Norman Abbott.
Dow recalled that, when the Still the Beaver reunion movie was being prepared, they tried to find Robert "Rusty" Stevens, who played Beaver's pudgy friend Larry Mondello. When the detective they hired went to his home, his wife answered. She wasn't...
- 7/6/2010
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
The weekend’s here. You’ve just been paid, and it’s burning a hole in your pocket. What’s a pop culture geek to do? In hopes of steering you in the right direction to blow some of that hard-earned cash, it’s time for the Fred Weekend Shopping Guide - your spotlight on the things you didn’t even know you wanted…
(Please support Fred by using the links below to make any impulse purchases - it helps to keep us going…)
It’s the last of their live recordings from November’s run of shows in Los Angeles, but they’ve certainly saved the best till the end - Cinematic Titanic’s Danger On Tiki Island (Cinema Titan, Not Rated, DVD-$14.99) is the Titans operating at the top of their game, tearing into a terrible little gem about pathetic people sort of fighting in the direction of...
(Please support Fred by using the links below to make any impulse purchases - it helps to keep us going…)
It’s the last of their live recordings from November’s run of shows in Los Angeles, but they’ve certainly saved the best till the end - Cinematic Titanic’s Danger On Tiki Island (Cinema Titan, Not Rated, DVD-$14.99) is the Titans operating at the top of their game, tearing into a terrible little gem about pathetic people sort of fighting in the direction of...
- 6/18/2010
- by UncaScroogeMcD
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